The half-moon-shaped favorite of the mixed nuts bowl, cashews offer a dose of healthy fats and nutrition in their sweet meat. However, it’s not just the nut that is prized for its health benefits. The cashew nut, technically a seed, grows on the bottom of a fruit called the cashew apple, which has been found to have health benefits, including anti-tumor effects. (Source) Cashew shell nut oil is also used for its antimicrobial activity that stems from its high phenolic content. (Source) Extracts of cashew leaves, stems and bark have actually been used to treat digestive ailments, diabetes, skin disorders, oral disease and inflammation. (Source) While not the most potent part of the plant, cashews are more treasured for their taste, though they do offer a high antioxidant content, and have been linked to improving cardiovascular health. This creamy, pale nut offers omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, protein and essential vitamins and minerals, so picking them out of the nut bowl may not be such a bad thing.
Cashews for Antioxidants
Cashews have been found to have high content of antioxidants, which may have multiple positive health implications, as was found by one study. (Source) Additionally, another study that analyzed the antioxidant capacity of different cashew plant components found cashew nut shell liquid and cashew fiber to have especially high antioxidant capacity, showing significant potential for cashew waste products as an economical chemopreventive tool. (Source)
Cashews for Diabetes Treatment
Cashews have been found to have positive effects on diabetes, as was found in a study that analyzed the anti-diabetic effects of cashew nut extract. The study found the cashew nut extract to stimulate glucose uptake in muscle cells, due to its anacardic acid content. The findings of the study suggest the potential of cashews in diabetes treatment. (Source)
Cashews for Cancer Treatment
Cashew-sourced anacardic acid has also been found to have anti-cancer effects. In one study, researched extracted the acid from cashew leaves, and found it to have marked anti-metastatic effects upon crucial signaling pathways in breast and brain tumor cells. (Source) Another study found anacardic acids sourced from cashew nuts, cashew apple juice and cashew nut shells to have cytotoxic effects on breast and cervical cancer cells. (Source)
Cashews for Oral Health
Cashew nuts won’t be made into a toothpaste anytime soon, but cashew leaves have been found to be beneficial to oral health. One study found cashew and mango leaf extracts to inhibit oral pathogens more than traditional mouth rinses, showing the potential of cashew leaf in maintaining oral health. (Source)
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE
Cashew nuts, 1 ounce (28g), raw
Calories: 155
Fat: 12g
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids: 17.4mg
Total Omega-6 Fatty Acids: 2179mg
Saturated Fat: 2g
Sodium: 2g
Total Carbohydrate: 9g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 5g
Vitamin K: 12% Daily Value
Thiamin: 8%
Vitamin B6: 6%
Folate: 2%
Pantothenic Acid: 2%
Iron: 10%
Magnesium: 20%
Phosphorous: 17%
Potassium: 5%
Zinc: 11%
Copper: 31%
Manganese: 23%
Selenium: 8%
There is so much information out there about so many things that I get frustrated. I am trying to live a better lifestyle and everywhere I turn these days especially with the computer, it gets unsettling. The last information I read mentioned how BAD cashews are for you. It said they are a bean and that’s not an acceptable item for Paleo diets. I was put on this diet years ago for my blood type. Article was written by a Doctor that pleaded with people not to eat cashews because they carry a fungus that cannot be seen and in general are not healthy to eat. I love cashews and would love to eat them again, at least on occasion. I just don’t know whose information is the more accurate? Can you clarify any of this information I’ve read? Thanks.
Hi Nancy! Do you have a link to the information from the doctor in question?
I read this a while ago so I am not sure I do have the info. I wished I did have it handy. I will try to see if I can find it for you though. Give me a little time to hunt it down.
I couldn’t find the exact link for you about the cashews but I believe there are several articles by a Dr. Steven Gundry. He mentions they are a bean and carry a toxin and anything that’s a lectin is not good for anyone to eat. Sorry I could not locate the exact information where I first read about the information.
Okay great–I’ll put this on my list to investigate!
In the article it says that cashew have been found to have high content of antioxidants. I had heard in the past about the health benefits of antioxidants, and definitely would love to find great ways to get more of them in my diet. Cashews are one of my favorite nuts, so I’ll have to find a place that I can buy them from. Thanks for the info.