Not only delicious, here are 5 benefits of cashews that you need to know

Cashews, also known as cashews, are a delicious snack that has a distinctive flavor. The taste is delicious, salty, slightly sweet, and crunchy when crushed, making these nuts much liked by people. Not only delicious when eaten, cashews also offer a number of health benefits that are a pity to miss. Yes, cashews contain various vitamins and minerals which are very good for the body. Come on, see more about the various benefits of cashews in this article.

The origin of cashews

Cashews are not actually nuts, but seeds from the cashew tree or also known as cashew nuts. Guava has a Latin name Anacardium occidentale. This one plant is not a member of guava or nuts, but a close relative of the mango fruit.

Cashew fruit looks like a bell and is grayish in color. This fruit has a length of about 5 cm and the tip of the fruit is shaped like a pea which is pointed and curved. Well, the pointed, curved tip of the fruit is called a seed and is often processed into cashews.

When ripe, the seeds are separated from the fruit and then dried. After that, you can roast or fry the cashews to make various kinds of snacks. Cashews are often eaten on their own or used as a mixture of chocolate, cakes, chili sauce, and other food ingredients.

Benefits of cashew nuts for health

Cashews are one of the low-fiber nuts. Another good thing that this peanut also brings is the content of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are good for the body. The content of vitamins E, K, and B6, along with other minerals, such as copper, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, iron and selenium play an important role in maintaining bodily functions.

Here are some of the benefits of cashews that you need to know:

1. Improve heart health

Cashews contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The content of both can help reduce levels of "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides in the blood. Relatively low levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and heart attack. In addition, other vitamins and minerals contained in cashews, such as potassium, vitamins E, and B6, and folic acid can also help the body fight heart disease.

This is also supported by a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition. In the study, it was stated that people who eat nuts (including cashews) more than four times a week can reduce their risk of coronary heart disease by 37 percent compared to those who never or rarely eat nuts.

2. Increase bone density

Cashews are one of the few food sources that are rich in copper. One ounce of cashews contains 622 micrograms of copper. For adults over 19 years of age, the recommended daily requirement for copper is 900 micrograms. This means that one ounce of cashews can meet more than half of your daily copper needs.

Copper itself plays an important role to replace damaged connective tissue and collagen. Without adequate intake of copper, body tissues will be easily damaged and you are more susceptible to joint dysfunction. Copper deficiency can also reduce bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.

Apart from being rich in copper, cashews also contain magnesium which plays an important role in bone formation. The reason is, magnesium helps the absorption of calcium into the bones so that the bones become stronger.

3. Helps you lose weight

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2004 found that cashews are also beneficial in weight loss. Yes, from this study it is known that regularly eating nuts more than twice a week can help maintain a stable weight. Researchers argue that eating nuts (including cashews) does not lead to weight gain. Conversely, regularly eating nuts can actually help maintain an ideal body weight.

A recent study in 2017 also found something similar. This can occur because the monounsaturated fat content in cashews can help reduce fat accumulation. On the other hand, the protein content in cashews also helps increase satiety, preventing you from eating more. That is why nuts are often used as a diet menu for weight loss.

Even if it is beneficial in weight loss, don't focus on eating nuts alone. You should also balance other nutrients from different types of food to help you lose and maintain weight. Don't forget, balance it with regular exercise so that you can get the optimal benefits of cashew nuts.

4. Avoiding cholecystectomy surgery

According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, regular eating of nuts was associated with a reduced risk of cholecystectomy surgery to remove the gall bladder in women with gallbladder problems.

This research involved more than one million people in a span of 20 years. From the results of these studies it is known that the possibility of a woman undergoing a cholecystectomy procedure tends to be small if she routinely eats nuts at least 5 ounces every week.

5. Protect the eyes from damage

Most people agree that carrots are the best vegetable for the eyes. However, did you know if it turns out that cashews are also good for your eyes? Yes, cashews contain high lutein and zeaxanthin compounds. Both of these compounds act as antioxidants when consumed regularly.

Not only that, these compounds also help protect your eyes from minor damage (which can turn into blindness in the elderly), and can even help lower the risk of cataracts.