Cashews Health Benefits – The Nutrient Rich Super Food

Cashew nuts are not only popular for their succulent flavor but also for their health benefits. They are a flavorful complement to food items and cashews health benefits are evident from the list of minerals and nutrients packed in it and are not commonly found in other foods.

Cashews Health Benefits – Role in Treating Diseases

Also called nature’s vitamin pill, cashew nuts have been used for promoting wellness for centuries. Cashews health benefits begin from a cashew tree’s leaves and bark. The prominent cashew apple is also said to possess numerous health benefits. Cashews help to kill germs and bacteria, stop diarrhea, dry secretions, increase libido and reduce fever, blood pressure, body temperature and blood sugar. Although cashew nuts have high fat content, it is considered to be good fat primarily because it is present in an agreeable fat ratio for optimal health. Cashews health benefits contribute to lowering heart disease risks through squalene, tocopherols and phytosterols. Cashew nuts have high dietary fiber amounts and high energy density and therefore attribute beneficially to weight management when eaten in moderate amounts. These nuts are a healthy fat food for heart patients and also support to maintain good cholesterol levels.

Cashews Nutrition – Nutrients and Components

Single serving size of cashews equals one ounce and contains about 160 calories, 12g of fat and 2g of saturated fat, 5g of protein, 9g of carbohydrates and viable amounts of folate, Vitamin K, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, copper and iron. Cashews nutrition work to help your body regulate processes. Copper helps to absorb iron, prevent damaged blood vessels’ risk, brain instability and osteoporosis. Magnesium helps with heart health, maintains blood pressure and increases bone density. Folate helps to prevent birth defects, allergic illnesses, depression, renal diseases, obesity and schizophrenia. Cashews nutrition also constitutes protein for building strong muscle tissues and fiber. The nut contains no cholesterol and therefore does not hinder triglyceride levels, artery health and cardiovascular strength.

Calories in Cashews – Various Forms

1 ounce or 28.3g of cashews has 156 calories. Calories in cashews can differ with various forms the nut assumes. There are 8 calories in every dry roasted cashew nut. One serving of 20 cashews contains 13.4g of fat and 0.9g of fiber. An oil roasted cashew nut contains over 9 calories and one serving has less than 1g of fiber. One raw cashew nut has 8 calories and one serving of cashews has 1g of fiber. Almost 75 percent of fat in cashew nut is oleic acid or unsaturated fat and is helpful for bringing down triglycerides. One ounce of cashew nuts taken every day reduces risk of gallstones by about 25 percent. Traces of sodium are very minimal in cashew nuts and phosphorous and magnesium levels are quite high and therefore beneficial.