Health Benefits of Cashews, Uses And Its Side Effects

Cashews are nuts that are found at the bottom of cashew apples and in the shape of kidneys. They are widely popular throughout the world, especially in Asian and African countries. They are known as super nuts as they have so many nutritional benefits. Let check out cashews nutrition facts, it contain high quantities of proteins and various essential minerals such as magnesium, zinc, copper, phosphorus, calcium, and potassium.

Cashews also contain a host of vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, Vitamin E and Vitamin K.

In 100 grams of cashews, there is a total of 553 calories present. The total fat is 44g with 8g of saturated fat, 8g of polyunsaturated fat, and 24g of monounsaturated fat. It has 0 mg of cholesterol. It has 12mg of Sodium and 660mg of Potassium.

Cashews has a total carbohydrate of 30g out of which there area 3.3g of dietary fiber and 6g of sugar. It has 18g of protein and 3% of the recommended daily intake of calcium, 37% of iron, 20% of vitamin B-6, 73% of magnesium, and 0% of vitamin A, C, D, and B-12.

Cashews are quite popular and are used while baking food, as well as while cooking savoury meals. They can be crushed and added to a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, or can just be eaten raw, roasted, and/or with salt.

Cashew Nut Shell Liquid: The cashew nut shell liquid (which is a byproduct of procuring cashews) is used to prepare paints, insecticides, drugs, resins, anti-termite treatments for timber, and plastics. It also has antibiotic effects and is used medicinally to treat a sore tooth, ringworm, scurvy, leprosy, warts, and elephantiasis.

Cashew barks and leaves: The cashew bark and leaf can be used to treat diarrhea as well as colic. The leaf extract also helps with reducing blood sugar levels and blood pressure. The bark has astringent properties and an infusion of the bark can be used to treat oral ulcers, sore throat, and even influenza. By boiling the leaves of the tree in water, one is left with an anti-pyretic that can be utilized to treat ache and pains all over the body.

Cashew Apple: The cashew fruit, also known as the cashew apple, has anti-bacterial uses and can treat ulcers in the stomach and gastritis. Since its juice has high contents of vitamin C, it can be used to prevent scurvy. A tea made with the juice can also treat dysentery. It can also be used to cure thrush in infants.

Cashew apples are widely used in South America to create sauces, curries, and jams, and is also often fermented into vinegar and liquor. This can only be had after steaming or boiling as its skin can often induce an allergic reaction.

Cashew Oil: Oil extracted from cashew seeds also has its share of uses. It treats cracked heels. When cashew seeds are powdered, they can be used to cure snake bites as they have a antivenom effects.

Kidney stones: Cashews are rich in oxalate salts, which tamper with the way calcium is absorbed in the body. The excess of calcium left unabsorbed can lead to the formation of kidney stones.

Cashew Allergy: Most people tend to be allergic to nuts, and cashews are essentially nuts. These allergies can range from severe to mild. One of the types of allergies that can be caused is known as contact dermatitis, which leads to rashes and itchiness on the skin when it comes into contact with cashews. An allergy to cashews can also lead to gastrointestinal discomfort in the form of nausea, coughing, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea, and pain. Many patients also suffer from breathing difficulties if they have an allergic reaction to cashews. However, the most serious reaction to cashews is Anaphylaxis. It is a fast reaction that can take over the whole body if one is not careful. It can lead to the loss of consciousness, noisy breathing, swelling of the tongue and throat, and even paleness. It is a condition that certainly requires medical attention.

Cashews are most commonly grown in areas that have a tropical climate. They are found in many countries such as India, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, and Kenya. They are also a widely used ingredient in Brazilian cooking.