Man one time I ate almost a whole jar of organic cashew butter.... Bbbaaaaaaadddddd idea. I love cashews though, haha.
Definately one of the better nut choices Turbo. Here's a few of the main health benefits of raw organic cashews:
1. Cancer Prevention
Cashews contain plenty of proanthocyanidins, a class of flavanols that actually starve tumors and stop cancer cells from dividing; studies have also shown that cashews can reduce your colon cancer risk. Their high copper content also endows the seed with the power to eliminate free radicals and they are also good sources of phytochemicals and antioxidants that protect us from heart disease and cancer
2. Heart Health
Cashews have a lower fat content than most other nuts and most of it is in the form of oleic acid, the same heart-healthy monounsaturated fat that is found in olive oil. Studies show that oleic acid promotes good cardiovascular health by helping to reduce triglyceride levels, high levels of which are associated with an increased risk for heart disease. Cashews are naturally cholesterol free and their high antioxidant content helps lower risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases. The magnesium in cashews helps lower blood pressure, acts as a natural muscle relaxant and helps in the prevention of heart attacks
3. Hair and Skin Health
As I mentiooned before, cashews are rich in the mineral copper. An essential component of many enzymes, copper plays its part in a broad array of processes. One copper-containing enzyme, tyrosinase, converts tyrosine to melanin which is the pigment that gives hair and skin its color. Without the copper cashews are so abundant in, these enzymes would not be able to do their jobs properly
4. Bone Health
Cashews are particularly rich in magnesium. It's a well-known fact that calcium is necessary for strong bones, but magnesium is as well. A lot of the magnesium in the human body is in our bones. Some of it helps lend bones their physical structure, and the remainder is located on the surface of the bone where it is stored for the body to use as it needs. Copper found in cashews is vital for the function of enzymes involved in combining collagen and elastin, providing substance and flexibility in bones and joints
5. Good for the Nerves
By preventing calcium from rushing into nerve cells and activating them, magnesium keeps our nerves relaxed and thereby our blood vessels and muscles too. Too little magnesium means too much calcium can gain entrance to the nerve cell, causing it to send too many messages and leading to too much contraction/cramping. Magnesium deficiency can lead to raised blood pressure, muscle tension/cramps, migraines, soreness and fatigue. Not surprisingly, studies have demonstrated that magnesium helps diminish the frequency of migraine attacks, lowers blood pressure and helps prevent heart attacks
6. Prevent Gallstones
Data collected on 80,718 women from the Nurses' Health Study demonstrates that women who eat
at least an ounce of nuts each week including cashews, have a 25% lower risk of developing gallstones
7. Weight Loss
People who eat nuts twice a week or more are much less likely to gain weight than those who rarely eat nuts. Cashew nuts are relatively high in fat, but it is considered "good fat." This is attributable to the ideal fat ratio in the nut ~ 1:2:1 for saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated respectively, which is recommended by many scientists for optimal health. Having said that, cashew nuts still contain less fat than most other nuts including peanuts, pecans, almonds and walnuts. They are dense in energy and high in dietary fibre, making them a valuable snack for managing weight gain
