Cashews are very much native to Brazil and there it is considered to be a delicacy. Cashews now have become popular all over the world because of its delicate flavour. Not only that, it has too many health benefits as well.
If one wants to go for the best place to buy cashews then there are many manufacturers who sell them in the shelled condition. But part of the shell contains resins which is not safe for consumption. One can also buy raw cashews, roasted cashews and they can be seasoned with different flavours as well. One can have them as snacks or use them in smoothies, salads, stir fries and as a paste in other recipes.
Here are some major health benefits that one can get by having cashews:
- Not all fats are bad for human health. There are some types of fats which can be great for heart health as well. These nuts contain heart healthy mono unsaturated fats and palmitoleic acids. They are essential fatty acids and they have been associated with low levels of unhealthy cholesterol and high levels of HDL cholesterol. So consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids can decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- These nuts can provide the necessary requirement of copper intake in a human body. Human can have their daily copper intake from animal sources like mussels, crabs, livers and oysters. But cashew is another major source of copper. If one fails to have enough consumption of copper then it can lead to poor immune system. There is an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular issues and impaired bone health. For vegetarians, cashews are an excellent source of copper which can provide more mineral that other non meat sources. This can reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Cashews have rich fat contents and so they can be a great substitute for heavy cream. One can easily soak a cup of raw cashews in half a cup of water and then leave it overnight. Then they can blend the soaked cashews in a mixer to get a completely smooth cream which is rich but only with a fraction of calories and fats.
- Cashew creams can be added to a lot of savoury and sweet dishes. This is a perfect healthy and a vegan substitute of heavy whipping cream. One can easily sweeten the cashew cream with a bit of sugar and then use them as a topping to a bowl of strawberries. It can be a great snack option.
- Just like all nuts, they are also an excellent source of protein. Protein is important for the human body because they help in creating new cellular compounds and rebuilding muscle tissues. Eating protein can keep the stomach full and so one will not feel hungry in between meals.
- They are an excellent source of anti oxidants as well. This can counteract the oxidative damage in the cells.
The best quality cashews are great for body’s immunity system and so one can have a portion on a daily basis.