Cashews, known scientifically as Anacardium occidentale, belong to the same family as the mango and pistachio nut. The name Anacardium, originally from the Greek, actually refers to the nut, core or heart of the fruit, which is outwardly located (ana means “upwards” and cardium means “heart”).
TOP 14 HEALTH SECRETS OF CASHEW NUTS:
Keeps the Heart Happy: Rich in “heart-friendly” monounsaturated-fatty acids like oleic, and palmitoleic acids, which help lower harmful LDL-cholesterol while increasing good HDL cholesterol. It prevents coronary artery disease and strokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile.
Aids Weight Loss: 75% of the fat, contained in cashew nuts are unsaturated fats or “good” fat. In addition, cashew nuts provide a high amount of fiber, energy, and trigger the body’s metabolism.
Prevents Cancer: High copper content and proanthocyanidins, a class of flavonols, fight against tumor cells restricting cell division, especially in colon cancer. Cashew nuts help our body to utilize iron properly and eliminate free radicals.
Great Magnesium Source: Protects against high blood pressure, muscle spasms, migraine headaches, tension, soreness and fatigue. Magnesium also works with calcium to support healthy muscles and bones in the human body.
Nourishes the Hair and Skin: Helps the body utilize iron, eliminate free radicals, develop bone and connective tissue, and produce the critical skin and hair pigment, melanin.
Strengthens Bones and Nerves: Magnesium, by balancing calcium, helps regulate nerve and muscle tone. Also serves as nature’s own calcium channel blocker, preventing calcium from rushing into the nerve cell and activating the nerve, keeping the nerves relaxed.
Sharpens Brain: The brain relies on two types of fat, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated, for the production of brain cells. Cashews also speed up oxygen flow to the brain.
Prevents Gallstones: Daily intake of cashew nut can reduce the risk of developing gallstones up to 25%.
Anti-oxidant: Contains Copper, which is an essential component of the enzyme superoxide dismutase, vital in energy production and antioxidant defense, producing greater flexibility in blood vessels, bones and joints.
Aids Digestion: Cashew nuts help in growth and development, nucleic acid synthesis and digestion.
Rich Vitamins Source: Cashew nuts are rich in vitamins like pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), riboflavin(B2), thiamin (B1) and niacin(B3). These vitamins keep you safe from sideroblastic Anemia, Pellagra (Dermatitis), etc.
Lowers Diabetes Risk: Monounsaturated fats, present in cashews, can reduce triglyceride levels (amount of fats carried in the bloodstream), lowering the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Fortifies Gums and Teeth: Magnesium gives healthy teeth as well as strong gums to hold them. Chemicals in cashew nuts kill gram positive bacteria, a pervasive mouth affliction that causes tooth decay, acne, tuberculosis and leprosy.
Enhances Vision: Contains a small amount of zea-xanthin, an important pigment flavonoid antioxidant, which is selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea in the eyes. It provides antioxidant and protective UV ray filtering functions and helps prevent age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).
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