Cashews are a delicious treat. Whether you have a proper meal or just munching on a few snacks here and there, cashews can add a particular flavor to the overall meal. Creamy in texture and mellow in taste, cashew is one of the most popular nuts of all time. Grown initially in Brazil, cashews come from a cashew apple tree. The nut is extracted from the fruit and is initially considered poisonous. When steamed, cashews become edible and safe to eat. Don’t worry! The variants you find in your regular grocery stores are just safe to eat.
Over the years, different misconceptions about cashews have left people thinking, “Is this delectable nut really worth our money?” or something like, “What’s the point of buying cashews if they are going to make me fat anyway?”
Well, these are things that people say. What does science say? Modern research has shown that although they have a higher fat content, cashews are an excellent source of nutrition. They provide your body with everything it needs for optimal functionality.
Let’s discuss some incredible health benefits of cashews:
Cashews Reduce Cholesterol Levels
Although cashews are known to have a bad reputation for saturated fats that make you fat, their actual content is relatively low. Most of the fat that exists in cashews is from healthy sources like stearic acids. They have a neutral impact on your cholesterol. On the other hand, if you consume a recommended amount of cashews every day with no change in diet, it will decrease LDL cholesterol levels. Your cholesterol levels will reduce significantly if you also make other dietary changes along with just adding cashews to the diet. Consider replacing fried food with salads with cashews as topping or replace processed butter with homemade cashew butter.
Cashews Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Cancer is a commonly prevailing yet highly unfortunate health complication of our society. We really need to support our fellows suffering from cancer. While cancer does require immediate medical attention and long-term care, you need to introduce healthy eating habits in your diet to make a visible impact. Cashews can be quite helpful in this scenario.
One of the most significant advantages of consuming cashew nuts is that it lowers the risk of developing cancer. Proanthocyanidins are a form of flavonol that inhibits tumor cell growth. Cashews are also high in copper and proanthocyanidins, which help to suppress cancer. You can buy bulk cashews and add them to your regular diet.
Cashews Reduce Chances of Getting Cardiac Complications
The obesity rate is increasing day by day in America. We have seen people becoming victims of obesity because of their own eating habits. If you are on the heavier side, it is time to make some changes in your overall diet plan. It can cause several heart diseases like stroke and even a heart attack.
Other than reducing the rates of LDL cholesterol, cashews will help you prevent health complications related to the heart. They have a higher magnesium content responsible for reducing heart diseases and providing enough blood to your heart.
Cashews Offer Adequate Protein to Your Body
Cashews, like all nuts, are a superb protein source. Protein is one of three macronutrients that your body needs to function. It is indispensable for muscle tissue repair and the formation of new cellular compounds. Furthermore, consuming protein keeps you from becoming hungry between meals, which will help you adhere to a balanced eating schedule. Although other nuts also have proteins in them, cashews stand out among them. If you are on a high protein diet, cashews can be a great addition to your regular diet. Also, with more protein in your diet at adequate times, you will be eating far less.
Cashews Aid Your Diet for Weight Reduction
According to studies, nuts like cashews ultimately help you meet your weight loss goals consumed in moderation. This can be surprising given that cashews are a high-calorie snack. They mainly consist of monounsaturated fat, which is known to assist with weight management when consumed in moderation. Cashews are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help increase metabolism and burn fat.
Copper is a crucial nutrient for metabolism. A single serving will help you reach your daily copper requirements. Consuming cashews keeps you fuller for longer and will help you avoid cravings, overeating, or going for an unhealthy snack. Consider eating cashews in moderation. You can buy raw cashews from the store and add recommended quantities to your food.
Cashews Will Help Boost Your Immune System
With the third wave of the pandemic at its peak, we all are looking for ways to boost immunity. No amounts of supplements can help you if you are unwilling to make healthy changes to your diet. Fortunately, we have cashews here for the benefit. You can have a handful of cashews every day to avoid getting sick or vulnerable to the symptoms of the virus. Having a handful of cashews every day can help prevent the flu. If you already have viral symptoms, consider adding powdered cashews to your soups. The high content of copper and iron will help you build red blood cells as well as immunity.
Cashews Eliminate Free Radicals from Your Body
Harm from free radicals leads to many chronic health conditions, including coronary and autoimmune disease, tumor, and even cancer. Antioxidants protect tissues from free radical damage by blocking the development of radicals, hunting them down, and helping your body decompose them.
Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from oxidative destruction. Antioxidants circulate through cells, neutralizing the present free radicals. Vitamins E and K are two of the strongest antioxidants. Luckily, both of these vitamins are present in cashews. They will help your body fight and eliminate free radicals quickly. However, remember to stay within your consumption limits.
Cashews Control Chances of Diabetes
Just like obesity, diabetes is also a common problem among Americans. There is still no cure for diabetes. Therefore, you need to take the necessary precautions to eliminate the slightest possibility of diabetes. Cashews have a low carbohydrate content, especially when compared to other popular snacks. This restricts their impact on a person’s blood sugar. Flavored cashews make a significant impact and an excellent choice for people who have diabetes. Even if you don’t have diabetes yet or are just trying to reduce the effect, it will definitely help you a lot, given that there are changes in your diet plan. Other than this, since you will feel fuller with cashews, it will help you eat less. Eating less is an effective way to regulate blood sugar.
Conclusion
Cashews are an international staple. Although originating from Brazil, they are grown and eaten all over the world. Many people think cashews can be fattening and very unhealthy to eat. This is untrue because science has proven that cashews have an incredible impact on our overall health. Suppose you want to reduce heart issues, obesity, and other dangerous complications like blood pressure and high cholesterol. In that case, cashews should be your go-to snack. Just make sure that you are making healthy food choices with cashews and stay within the recommended limit. They are only effective with more nutritious food choices and an overall lifestyle change.