They are among the most highly praised nuts and have many cashew benefits. Their production in tropical climates increases their value and attractiveness.
Cashew Scientific Facts
- Scientific name – Anacardium occidentale L.
- Other names are cashew apple, cashew fruit, and cashew nut.
- French – Anacarde, pomme de cajou.
- Spanish – Anacardo.
- German – Cashewkerne
- Description – The cashew is the seed of the fruit of the cashew tree (‘Anacardium occidentale’ L.), a tree of the botanical family Anacardiaceae that reaches 9 to 12 meters in height.
- Environment—Cashews are cultivated in hot climates worldwide, particularly in Central America and the Amazon delta. They have recently been introduced in India, Madagascar, and Tanzania. However, they have not yet been acclimated to Southern Europe.
Cashew Benefits
Cashew nuts are oil-bearing nuts with a sweet, enjoyable taste. They are rich in linoleic and oleic, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins such as B1 and B2, magnesium (260 mg/100 grams), potassium, iron, phosphorus, and pantothenic acid.
It is well-known for its magnesium content, one of the greatest in the vegetable kingdom, bettered only by sunflower seeds (354 mg/100 grams). Meat, milk, and eggs are poor in magnesium, none exceeding 24 mg/100 grams).
MAGNESIUM is involved in various metabolic functions, particularly the transmission of nerve impulses. Its lack produces nervousness, irritability, and even cramps and spasms. Since cashews are extraordinarily rich in magnesium and vitamins B1 and B2 (superior to almonds and walnuts), which are also essential for nervous stability, their use is recommended in cases of:
- Nervousness, irritability, depression, weakness, and abdominal tiredness.
- Spasms in hollow organs: the colon (irritable bowel), the uterus (dysmenorrhea), or the coronary arteries (angina pectoris).
How to use Cashews
- Roasted nut is eaten with or without salt, much like peanuts or any other nut.
- Fleshy fruit (the stalk on which the nut grows): This fleshy, sour stalk is eaten in complete marmalade or juice. The juice must be drunk immediately to get the cashew benefits since preserving it is challenging.
DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.
REFERENCES
- George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Foods and Their Healing Power.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Foods and Their Healing Power. Trans. Annette Melgosa. Vol. 2. Chai Wan: Editorial Safeliz, 2005. 40. Print. [cashew benefits]
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/are-cashews-good-for-you
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-cashews
- https://www.isayorganic.com/blogs/news/top-10-surprising-benefits-of-cashew-nuts-for-health