If you enjoy eating various types of nuts, you’re making wise nutritional decisions. Numerous studies have shown that regular consumption of nuts has been linked to increased brain function. In addition, research from Harvard University found that have two servings of nuts each day can help reduce the presence of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease within the body. Considering that, one of the most popular types of nuts is the cashew. With that in mind, here are seven interesting facts about the cashew nut.
- Cashews Make Great Thickeners
Many people use cornstarch as a thickening ingredient for sauces. However, you might be surprised to find that cashews can work just as well for this purposes. Cashews are known to contain high amounts of starch. When cooking, starches are utilized for their ability to thicken many foods including sauces. - Great Source of Protein
There are many benefits of cashew nuts. One of the most important cashew nut benefits is that this food is great for maintaining a healthy weight. This is due to the high amounts of protein in a cashew nut. Consuming enough protein is an essential aspect of weight management and gaining muscle. In fact, a recent study found that those eating nuts at least twice each week were 31% less likely to gain weight when compared to those who ate no nuts. - Oil is Made From Cashews
Nuts are known to be able to be made into a wide variety of products. With that in mind, you’ll definitely want to learn about cashew oil. This oil is commonly used either for cooking with or for applying directly to food. For instance, many salads are often topped with cashew oil. - Low Calorie Snack
It’s understandable to wonder about the calories in cashews. Fortunately, you’ll find that cashews are considered to be a low calorie food. In fact, there are only about 163 calories in a handful of cashews. When considering the high protein content of this food, cashews are a wise snacking choice to make throughout the day. - Many Uses of a Cashew Apple
Unlike many other types of nuts, the cashew grows from an apple. With that in mind, it makes sense to wonder what happens to the apple after the cashew is collected. The cashew apple itself has many uses. Whether used in cooking or eaten raw, this apple is quite popular throughout the world. - Extremely Popular in the United States
The cashew apple is popular in various parts of the world. However, the cashew seed or nut is immensely popular within the United States. It’s well known that nuts are popular foods in America. However, you might be surprised at how popular cashews are in the United States when compared to the rest of the world. One study found that the United States consumes over 90% of all cashews grown throughout the world. - The Confusion Between a Seed or Nut
Many people debate whether the cashew is a seed or nut. While a cashew is commonly considered a nut, it’s officially a seed. A cashew seed grows out of an apple. Therefore, this makes the cashew the seed of an already growing fruit.
In conclusion, the cashew is an immensely interesting food. Unlike other types of nuts, the cashew grows out of an apple. The cashew is an incredibly beneficial food that is filled with vitamins and is a great source of protein. Although there are many types of nuts available in the United States, the cashew continues to remain extremely popular.