We love nuts and cashews have always been one of our favorites. They are a super tasty, heart-healthy food. Cashews are indigenous to the Americas but are widely cultivated in India and Africa. They are a great on-the-go snack and can be used in a variety of different recipes. Here are some of the health benefits of eating cashews.
- Cashews have a lower fat content than most nuts. That being said, the fat that is in cashews is unsaturated, the same heart-healthy fat that is found in olive oil (oleic acid). Oleic acid has been shown to promote good cardiovascular health, even in individuals with diabetes.
- These nuts are a good source of magnesium, a mineral that helps regulate nerve and muscle tone. Cashews are also rich in minerals that help to maintain healthy bone density. They are a very good source of copper which is a cofactor for enzymes necessary for proper bone metabolism.
- Cashews are also rich in phytosterols, phytonutrients that can help block cholesterol absorption and lower cholesterol levels in the body.
- 20 years of dietary data collected on thousands of individuals show that women who eat at least one ounce of nuts a week have a 25 percent lower risk of developing gallstones.
- Cashews are a good source of sleep-promoting tryptophan.
References
Mateljan, G. (2007). The Worlds Healthiest Foods. Seattle, WA: George Mateljan Foundation.
