The unique fruits of the evergreen cashew tree consist of a brightly colored cashew apple and an unusual form of nut that is attached to its apex. Cashew apples quickly deteriorate because of the content of tannin in them. To prepare healthy dishes and treat many diseases, only the cashew nuts are used.
The fruits of the cashew tree are not sold in the shell, because between the shell and the core of the nut is a layer of a toxic compound - cardola. When a person contacts a cardol on the skin surface, extensive burns occur. To neutralize the toxic compound in the product, producers are exposed to nuts with a gentle heat treatment.
- Contents
- Varieties
- Ingredients
- Caloric value
- Nutritional information
- Useful compounds
- Cooking
- Useful properties and applications
- Benefits for women
- Cashew nuts during pregnancy
- Healing properties of oil
- Use in cooking
- How to choose and store
- Contraindicationsand harm
- Interesting facts
History of discovery
Birthplace of Cashew Nuts - Brazil. Indians of the tribe "tikuna" began to use the bark first, fruits and leaves of this tree. They called cashew nuts "yellow fruits".Europeans learned about the useful properties of cashews only in the 16th century and began to use this product in cooking and for the treatment of ailments.
Currently, the cashew tree is cultivated in countries with mild climates. Champions of cashew collection are India, Thailand, China, Malaysia, Colombia.
to the table of contents ^Varieties of
Today there are three main varieties of cashews that differ in the color of the nut kernel:
- Highest. The kernels of the nut are white and yellow, as well as the shade of ivory.
- First. The kernels of the nut are light brown or ash gray.
- Second. The nucleus is yellow or amber in color.
Composition
Cashew contains various minerals, vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber and other useful compounds.
to contents ^Caloric value of
Cashew nuts are a high-calorie product. In 100 grams of walnut - 600 kcal.
to contents ^Nutritional value of
Cashew kernels contain the minimum amount of fat and a large percentage of valuable fatty acids.
| Substances | Weight( g) |
| Proteins | 18,5 |
| Fats | 48,5 |
| Carbohydrates | 22,5 |
| Dietary fibers | 2 |
| Water | 5.3 |
| Mono and disaccharides | 7,5 |
| Starch | 15 |
| Ash | 3,2 |
| Saturated fatty acids | 8.5 |
Useful compounds
The cashew contains vitamins B and vitamin E, which is useful for women.
| Vitamins | Weight( mg) |
| PP | 2,1 |
| B1( thiamine) | 0.5 |
| B2( riboflavin) | 0.22 |
| E | 5.7 |
The kernels of the nut contain a large amount of magnesium, potassium and iron.
| Substances | Weight( mg) |
| Calcium | 47 |
| Magnesium | 270 |
| Sodium | 16 |
| Potassium | 553 |
| Phosphorus | 206 |
| Iron | 3.8 |
Culinary processing
After thermal processing, the cashew nut loses a large percentage of useful properties. It is most rational to use this product in dried or raw form. Dietitians advise cashews in fried form to include in the daily menu is extremely rare. The daily norm of cashew consumption should not exceed 40 grams.
Useful properties and application of
Often nutritionists call this valuable product "food of the future".Systematic use of cashew nuts:
- normalizes metabolic reactions;
- improves immune responses;
- lowers cholesterol;
- removes carcinogens from the body;
- stimulates the work of the brain;
- improves blood composition;
- stimulates the functions of the reproductive system;
- is involved in the formation of bone tissue;
- strengthens tooth enamel.
Cashew includes an indispensable amino acid - tryptophan, which helps a person cope with insomnia and depressive stress.
It is known that 100 grams of cashew contains a daily rate of copper. This substance:
- promotes the generation of energy cells;
- protects against the development of malignant neoplasms;
- is involved in the structure of the walls of blood vessels.
Cashew improves the cardiovascular system of a person. This property is associated with low fat cashew and 75% oleic acid in its core, which strengthens the heart muscle, reduces the amount of triglycerides in the blood and is an excellent source of energy.
Benefits for women
Cashew reduces the activity of proteins that provoke the development of breast cancer in women. In the cashew nut is a lot of magnesium, which helps a woman cope with a painful premenstrual syndrome, as well as nicotinic acid, omega-acids and vitamin E, which improve her skin condition and strengthen immunity.
to the table of contents ^Cashew nuts during pregnancy
The healing properties of the cashew nut and its unique composition will help the future mother:
- normalize bowel function;
- strengthen the bone system;
- cope with anemia;
- prevent the development of a baby's dystrophy and diseases of the circulatory system;
- to improve the functions of the nervous system;
- strengthen immune responses.
The daily intake of this product for pregnant women is 30 grams. In the second half of pregnancy, cashew nuts should be consumed with a break in 2-3 days.
to contents ^Healing properties of oil
Cashew oil is a yellow viscous liquid with a specific flavor. This product has antiseptic, tonic and nutritional properties. Cashew oil is used in cosmetology for:
- skin softening;
- wound healing;
- improving the complexion;
- treatment of alopecia;
- treatment of cracks on the heels;
- skin rejuvenation;
- relief of toothache.
Cashew oil is often added to nourishing facial masks. For their preparation, mix the cashew butter with vegetable oil or with any essential oil in a 1: 1 ratio. The resulting mixture is applied lightly on the face. Remove after 20 minutes the leftover mask with warm water.
To activate hair growth and nutrition, add 7 drops of cashew oil to a 100 ml shampoo or balm. The resulting mixture lightly move into the scalp. After 10 minutes, remove the remnants of the cosmetic from the hair with warm water.
Cashew oil has medicinal properties and is used for:
- normalization of pressure;
- strengthening immunity;
- treatment of diseases of the respiratory system;
- treatment of skin diseases.
Cashew oil can also be used for rheumatism and diabetes mellitus.
to contents ^Use in cooking
Cashew nuts are harmoniously combined with various salads, confectionery and first dishes. Fragrant nuts are stuffed with fish, added to meat products and used as a side dish. Cashew not only gives dishes a unique taste, but gives them a special nutritional value.
to contents ^How to choose and store
When choosing nuts, please note that the quality product has a smooth surface and a light beige color. Cashew should not be moldy, wrinkled or withered. It is best to buy whole, not chopped cashew nuts. Whole nut kernels can be stored longer and completely retain their nutritional properties.
It is recommended to store cashews in a tightly closed container in a cool place. In the refrigerator, the product can be about 6 months, and in the freezer - 12 months.
It is not recommended to store cashews for a long time in a warm place, as the product will get a bitter taste and become unfit for consumption.
to the table of contents ^Contraindications and harm
For many people, an allergic reaction to cashew nuts is typical. If you try this product for the first time, it is best to use several cashew kernels. So you minimize the effects of allergies.
It is not recommended to use cashew nuts to people who suffer:
- obesity;
- diseases of the excretory system;
- with liver diseases.
With caution, you need to enter cashews in the diet of children and lactating women, so as not to provoke the development of allergies, the benefit and harm of cashews depend only on consumed volumes.
to contents ^Interesting facts
Japanese scientists have recently proved that in cashew nuts are compounds that destroy bacteria that are responsible for the development of erosion of tooth enamel. To lubricate inflamed gums and teeth, you need to use a healing mixture of cashew oil and honey.
I just adore them! !!But they are always full of calories( They are always very fast with me, I always have them with me when there is no time for lunch. For me it is a substitute for fast food, because it is 100% natural product, and how many vitamins it contains!more in the diet of the natural, the healthier and prettier you are! And the nuts increase the sexual activity)