Cashew Fruit Introduction
Cashew fruit is also called as cashew apple. The fruit from cashew tree and cashew nuts grow at the bottom it. This fruit is less common as it is available in local market. It does not last longer. Cashew fruit is about 90% in weight of and 10% weight is of cashew nut.
Generally, it is considered as agricultural waste because there is less knowledge about health benefits of it. We will explore nutritional values and the health benefits of it. It helps in weight loss, also good for diabetic patients, for treating the ulcers, gastric problems, etc. Cashew fruit is of two variety one is yellow, and another is red. Nutritional composition of red and yellow is slightly different both provide great health benefits.
Nutritional Composition
Cashew fruit is rich source of Vitamin C (between 200–241 mg/100 g), also rich in carbohydrates, protein content of cashew fruit is less but it contains other healthy nutritions. Cashew fruit also contains fibers, flavonoids, sugar which is fructose and sucrose, total polyphenols, carotenoids, amino acids. Cashew fruit also contains the minerals as potassium, magnesium, sodium and iron. Detailed composition is shown in below table. It is highly acidic in nature it has pH value between 3.5 to 4.8 and it contain moisture percentage of 85%.
Nutritional Values of Cashew fruit
Below table represents the nutritional values in mg/100ml| Type | Yellow | Red |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 241.13 | 221.6 |
| Total polyphenols | 265.97 | 271.03 |
| Anthocyanins | 210.67 | 225.85 |
| Potassium | 36.10 | 43.61 |
| Magnesium | 4.13 | 1.22 |
| Calcium | 1.20 | 6.01 |
| Sodium | 2.18 | 2.34 |
| Iron | 0.37 | 0.35 |
| Total sugars (%) | 10.57 | 2.37 |
| Proteins (%) | 1.13 | 1.09 |
| Lipids (%) | 2.25 | 2.99 |
Health benefits of Cashew fruit
- It contains significant amount of the minerals and hence good for maintaining the strong immunity system. Maintaining proper fluid balance, muscle contraction and nerve transmission.
- It contains high calories and reduces sugar, so provides the instant energy in the body. Cashew apple juice can supercharge your fat burning and endurance. Keep you active for longer long time.
- It helps in weight loss by boosting the metabolism in the body.
- Fresh juice contains high vitamin C hence it helps in treating the sore throat, also helps to maintain the oral health.
- It is also used to treat cold, cough and gastric issues such as diarrhea, dysentery.
- Studies have indicated that cashew fruits are rich in derivatives of myricetin and quercetin, hence it helps to manage obesity and diabetes.
- It inhibits fat accumulation, insulin resistance, and even promote a healthy lipid profile. By acting as a cardio-protective agent, they work to reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
Usage of cashew fruit
Just hold the fruit and twist the cashew nut anticlockwise to separate from the fruit. Hold the fruit from bottom and then you can eat raw fruit like other fruits. It is very juicy and yummy.
Juice
Cashew fruit can be blend with water to prepare the juice. It is good in test. Cut the in pieces, grind those in the mixer grinder, add the flavor and water add sugar as per your requirement. The juice tastes like the mix of mango and orange. It is little bit citrus in taste. Juice needs to be consumed freshly.
Curry
Cashew fruit can be prepared as curry, and it is very testy to eat with chapati, roti, puri and rice also. In Kokan region of India, it is very popular curry. It very easy to prepare the cashew curry. Few basic ingredients are required to prepare this curry. It has little bitter test, so it tastes good once prepared as curry.
Feni (Alcohol)
In India Goa region they prepare the alcohol which is called as Feni from the cashew fruit. This is Goa’s special and popular drink. If you visit goa any time you can try this drink, Feni is similar as wine. There is another type Feni also available in Goa which is prepared from coconut.
The awareness about the cashew fruit should be increased as it is having healthy nutritional content. People should start using it in their food on regular basis by considering its health benefits.
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