Five health benefits of cashew nuts you didn't know about!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Nuts such as cashews can be called as the world's healthiest foods. Cashew nuts or kaju are an excellent source of protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Cashews are full of amazing health benefits if taken within limit regularly.

Here are some reasons why cashew nuts make an excellent choice and you should not eliminate them from your diet:

Heart health

Nuts such as cashews are good for your heart. This may be due to followng reasons – nuts are naturally cholesterol-free, but caontain good amounts of heart-healthy fats, fiber, protein and arginine, which protects the inner lining of artery walls.

Bone health

Cashews contain calcium, magnesium and potassium that give protection against bone demineralization. Cashew nuts also contain vitamin K, which is good for bone health and immunity.

Eye health

Cashews contain high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin (antioxidants), which protect the eyes from light damage and can even help decrease the instance of cataracts.

Blood diseases

Consuming cashew nuts in a considerable amount can help prevent blood diseases due to copper content in it. Cashews are rish in copper, which deficiency can lead to iron deficiencies such as anemia.

Weight loss

Reseach has shown that replacing animal fats and proteins with the mono-and polyunsaturated fats found in cashews can help in weight management as well as reduce the build-up of fat and cholesterol in the heart.