Weight Loss And Other Nutritional Benefits of Cashew Nuts

Cashews are a kidney-shaped seed sourced from the cashew tree — a tropical tree native to Brazil but now cultivated in various warm climates across the world.

While “raw” cashews are widely sold, truly raw cashews are not safe to eat, as they contain a substance known as urushiol, found in poison ivy. Urushiol is toxic, and contact with it can trigger a skin reaction in some people.

Cashew kernels are cooked in processing to remove this toxic liquid, and this resulting product is sold as “raw”.

Although commonly referred to as tree nuts, and nutritionally comparable to them, cashews are really seeds. They’re rich in nutrients and beneficial plant compounds and make for an easy addition to many dishes.

Like most nuts, cashews may also help improve your overall health. They’ve been linked to benefits like weight loss, improved blood sugar control, and a healthier heart.

This article reviews the nutrition, benefits, and downsides of cashews to determine whether they’re good for you.

They’re also low in sugar, a source of fiber, and contain almost the same amount of protein as an equivalent quantity of cooked meat.

In addition, cashews contain a significant amount of copper, a mineral essential for energy production, healthy brain development, and a strong immune system.

They’re also a great source of magnesium and manganese, nutrients important for bone health.

Nuts and seeds are considered antioxidant powerhouses, and cashews are no exception.

Antioxidants are beneficial plant compounds that keep your body healthy by neutralizing damage-causing molecules known as free radicals. In turn, this helps reduce inflammation and increases your body’s ability to stay healthy and free from disease.

The nuts are a rich source of polyphenols and carotenoids — two classes of antioxidants also found in other tree nuts.

Studies link antioxidants in nuts like walnuts, pecans, and almonds to lower levels of oxidative cell damage.

Due to their similar antioxidant profile, cashews may be expected to offer similar oxidation-fighting benefits. This may be particularly true of roasted cashews, which appear to have an increased antioxidant activity compared with their “raw” counterparts.

That said, the number of cashew-specific studies are limited and more research is needed before strong conclusions can be made.

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