Cashew Fruit - Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

Cashews are very tasty. The nuts are nothing but a treat for your taste buds. Have you ever thought about where they came from? These nuts come from cashew apples, which are also called "cashew fruits." Copper, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc are just some of the minerals and proteins in the fruit. There are a lot of benefits that people don't know about, like how it helps the body make blood and keeps the heart healthy. It also helps people lose weight.

What is cashew fruit? 

Cashew fruit also known as cashew apple is wrongly thought to be the fruit of the cashew tree. The nuts are the real fruit, while the apple is a fake fruit or the fruit's swollen stem. The nut grows first, and then the apple grows after it.

The cashew apple, which is the stem of the fruit, has a juicy, rich, carbohydrate-rich part called the cashew pulp.

The cashew apple has a wide base and a narrowing top where the cashew nut is attached. Anacardium occidentale is the name of the cashew tree in the scientific world. The name "Anacardium" comes from the shape of the fruit, which looks like a heart turned upside down.

The apple's flesh is juicy and soft, and it smells good with a flowery scent. Depending on how ripe the fruit is, its colour can range from yellow to bright red. The cashew apple is pretty to look at and can sometimes be used to decorate because of its bright colours.

Cashew fruit description:

Even though the nut is the most well-known part of the cashew tree, the apple is also useful in many ways. It is usually eaten when it is ripe, and its fruity-floral smell is a big draw. The meat is very juicy and tastes sweet and sour.

The fruit has an effect on the tongue that is similar to that of an astringent. This effect can be lessened by steaming, boiling, or washing the cut fruit before eating it.

Uses of cashew fruit: 

You can cook the fruit, put it in salads, put it in sugar to keep it from going bad, or ferment it to make vinegar or alcoholic drinks. In South American countries, drinks are flavoured with cashew apple. The juice and pulp of the cashew fruit are also used to make sweets like dulce de maranon.

Cashew apples are known as kajoo phal in Hindi and Marathi and as kashu manga in Malayalam in India. Feni is a popular alcoholic drink in Goa and Maharashtra. It is made from cashew apples that have been fermented.

Nutritional value of cashew fruit: 

Cashews have both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, both of which are good for you. A small amount of protein can also be found in these nuts. Because of this, they are often a big part of a vegetarian or vegan's diet.

Cashews are also a great way to get:

Magnesium

Zinc

Phosphorus

Manganese

Vitamin K

Vitamin B6

Health benefits of cashew fruit:

1. Prevents cancer:

Proanthocyanins are found in cashew fruits. They are a type of flavonol that stops cancer cells from dividing. This is an important job because once cancer cells start making copies of themselves, they are hard to stop. This is why a shotgun approach is often used to treat cancer, even though it hurts healthy cells. Also, cashews have a lot of copper, which is a mineral that makes cells less likely to change and may help treat and prevent colon cancer.

2. Boosts Immune System:

As a great source of vitamins, this fruit helps the body fight off diseases caused by bacteria by making the immune system stronger. Because cashews contain zinc and antioxidants, they help make your immune system stronger. So, eating cashews regularly keeps you from getting sick and helps you heal quickly because it makes your immune system stronger.

3. Keeps heart healthy

Even though cashews have a lot of fat, it's not the kind of fat that is usually bad for you. Instead, it makes more fatty acids, which are important for the brain's development and for the blood to clot.

When cashews are eaten on a regular basis, they help keep blood pressure steady and keep cholesterol levels in check.

4.Keep eyes healthy

It is a great food for the eyes because it has a lot of lutein and zeaxanthin. They are very good at keeping your eyes healthy and protecting them from the sun's harmful rays. They also make it less likely that you will get cataracts.

5.Prevents Anaemia

Cashew fruits are a good source of iron, which is needed to get oxygen to all parts of the body and helps the immune system and enzymes work better. A lack of iron can cause a lot of health problems, like anaemia, a higher risk of getting sick, and feeling tired all the time. Due to the iron in cashews, eating them can help keep health problems at bay.

6. Helps Skin Stay Healthy

Vitamin C is known to make the body make more collagen, but copper is a mineral that helps keep collagen and elastin in good shape. This is important because a lack of this mineral can cause skin to sag before it should. For skin that looks young, eat lots of vitamin C-rich foods and cashew fruits.

7. Helps in weight loss

When we eat cashews in moderation and on a regular basis, they help lower the cholesterol in our hearts and stop fat from building up, which helps us keep our weight in check. They have a lot of fiber and a lot of calories, which are important for weight loss if you eat them in moderation.

Ways to eat cashew fruit: 

1. To make trail mix, mix cashews with dried fruit, chocolate chips, and other nuts.
2. To make a healthy and filling salad, toss cashews with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and a touch of olive oil.
3. Add to a wrap with cubed chicken, mustard, and mayonnaise.
4. Mix with rolled oats, coconut, and maple syrup. Before baking, mix these things together to make granola.
5. On top of roasted green beans, sprinkle salted cashews.
6. Make a tasty parfait with yogurt, granola, and fruit.
7. Make in a slow cooker with rice, soy sauce, chicken, and red pepper flakes.
8. Mix in soy sauce and oyster sauce-coated lo mein noodles.