The cashew nut is native to Brazil, and the Portuguese transported them in the 15th century to India where they are primarily cultivated today. The cashew is the third most cultivated nut worldwide. People cultivate the cashew tree for its nuts, oil, fruit and gum. The cashew nut provides a variety of nutrients and health benefits.
Nutritional Content
The cashew provides a variety of nutrients. A 1-oz. serving contains 1 g of dietary fiber, 168 mg of phosphorus, 187 mg of potassium, 1.6 mg of zinc and 5.6 micrograms of selenium. The average American does not consume adequate levels of fiber, impairing digestive function and contributing to weight gain. A handful of nuts provides about 4 percent of the Daily Value. The potassium levels in cashews are relatively significant. The human body's cells and tissues need potassium to function, and the mineral conducts electricity contributing to a healthy heartbeat.
Lower Cardiovascular Disease Risk
The cashew nut contains an estimated 80 percent fat. The type of fat cashews contain is healthy, but fat contains high levels of calories compared with protein and carbohydrates. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends consuming about 1.5 ounces of nuts to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
Protein
The protein levels of cashew nuts are high relative to other vegetable protein sources. A 1-oz. serving of cashews contains 5.2 g of protein, approximately the same amount found in one egg. Heathy sources of protein are important to add to the diet because animal sources, such as meat, often contain unhealthy saturated fats that contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. Protein consumed with carbohydrates prevents extreme blood glucose levels that increase the risk of diabetes.
Cashew Nut Dermatitis
The cashew tree is a member of the Anacardiaceae family of trees that includes poison ivy and poison oak. This botanical family causes more cases of contact dermatitis than any other botanical. The compound in the cashew responsible for the skin reaction is called cardol oil. A resulting rash, which occurs very rarely, is similar to a poison ivy dermatitis, an eruption of red inflamed skin with possible blistering depending on its severity.
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