Natural Grocer Cashew Kernels Raw 1KG

Short description   A well-travelled nut! Originally from Brazil, the Cashew could be found growing in India by the mid-16th century, making its way to South East Asia and Africa by the end of the century, ending up in Australia and North America. Most of the Cashew production today comes from Nigeria, followed by India, Ivory Coast and Vietnam.   Features   Cashews are a seed grown on the outside of the Cashew Apple – which is actually pear shaped. The Cashew nuts are separated from the fruit by hand and sold to producers for processing. The fruit has many uses including pulping to make a tropical fruit drink, canned, turned into jam and even turned into alcohol! You’ll never see a Cashew sold in its shell as it contains a naturally occurring caustic acid called Cardol. Cardol is used in paint, varnish and rocket lubricant amongst many other things.   Benefits   (Cashews Health Benefits) Cashews are high in calories. 100 g of nuts provide 553 calories. They are packed with soluble dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and numerous health-promoting phyto-chemicals that help protect from diseases and cancers. They are rich in “heart-friendly” monounsaturated-fatty acids like oleic, and palmitoleic acids. These essential fatty acids help lower harmful LDL-cholesterol while increasing good HDL cholesterol in the blood. Research studies suggest that Mediterranean diet which is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids help to prevent coronary artery disease and strokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile. Cashew nuts are abundant sources of essential minerals. Minerals, especially manganese, potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium are concentrated in these nuts. A handful of cashew nuts a day in the diet would provide enough of these minerals and may help prevent deficiency diseases. Selenium is an important micronutrient, which functions as a co-factor for antioxidant enzymes such as Glutathione peroxidases, one of the most powerful antioxidants in the body. Copper is a cofactor for many vital enzymes, including cytochrome c-oxidase and superoxide dismutase (other minerals function as co-factors for this enzyme are manganese and zinc). Zinc is a co-factor for many enzymes that regulate growth and development, gonadal function, digestion, and DNA (nucleic acid) synthesis. Cashews are also good in many essential vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), riboflavin, and thiamin (vitamin B-1). 100 g nuts provide 0.147 mg or 32% of daily-recommended levels of pyridoxine. Pyridoxine reduces the risk of homocystinuria, and sideroblastic anemia. Niacin helps prevent "pellagra" or dermatitis. Additionally, these vitamins are essential for metabolism of protein, fat, and carbohydrates at the cellular level. Further, the nuts are also hold a small amount of zea-xanthin, an important pigment flavonoid antioxidant, which selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea in the eyes. It is thought to provide antioxidant and protective UV ray filtering functions and helps prevent age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) in the elderly.   Suggested dose   Enjoy our Cashews in cooking and baking, sprinkled over your favourite salad or stir fry or a simple handful as a delicious snack.   Ingredients   Raw Cashews. Product of Vietnam, Packed in Australia.