We can find cashews in many of our foods, especially chocolates. Often regarded as one type of nuts, cashew actually belongs to the group of grains. Its unique shape and distinctive taste make many people like them. Cashew also contains several plant compounds that are good for your body. As quoted from Healthline, here are some of the benefits you can get from consuming cashew.

• Highly nutritious
  Cashew is known to be rich in various nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, fibre, and fat with only 157 kcal of calories. In addition, cashew is also rich in minerals and vitamins such as magnesium, copper, iron, phosphorus, vitamin K and B6. The fat contained in cashew is unsaturated fat, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Copper contained in cashew plays a role in energy production, brain development, and maintaining the immune system. Finally, its magnesium content can help to maintain bone health.
• Rich in plant compounds
  Apart from being highly nutritious, cashew is also rich in antioxidants which can protect your body from free radicals. Polyphenols and carotenoids are antioxidants contained in cashew can help reduce the risk of inflammation and keep your body healthy and avoid disease.
• Help lose weight
  Most people think that nuts are one of the foods that should be avoided when they want to lose weight because of their fat and calorie content. However, several studies show different results. A diet rich in nutsis known to be more effective in help losing weight compared to a diet without nuts. The study results also show that not all calories contained in cashew can be digested and absorbed by the body, but only about 84% of it. In addition, the fibre and protein content in it can also make you feel 'full' longer.
• Maintaining heart health
  A diet rich in nuts is known to keep you away from the risk of diseases such as stroke and heart disease. The study results show that consumption of cashew can help reduce levels of 'bad' cholesterol in the body. In addition, cashew can also help lower blood pressure and triglyceride levels in the body.
• Good for people with type 2 diabetes
  For people with type 2 diabetes, consumption of cashew can help maintain blood sugar level. Besides being low in sugar, cashew is also rich in fibre which can help maintain sugar levels in the body.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Pixabay

Source:

• Healthline - Are Cashews Good for You? Nutrition, Benefits and Downsides (2020). https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/are-cashews-good-for-you, 11 June 2020.