Posted by Sunkanmi.Onifade on January 26, 2015

Cashew consumption prevents heart diseases --- Nutritionist

Abuja, Jan. 26, 2015 (NAN) A nutritionist, Ms Jummai Abdul, on Monday, said that the consumption of cashew fruit juice could help prevent heart diseases and stroke.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Abdul, a nutritionist at the Wuse General Hospital in Abuja, said that cashew and its nut had some medicinal properties.

Cashew fruit contains fats that promote healthy hearts and reduce high triglyceride level that is associated with increased risk of heart diseases.

Excess calories are stored as triglycerides in the body. Triglycerides provide much of the energy for cell function,’’ she said.

The nutritionist noted that eating a handful of cashew nuts a day would provide enough essential minerals like manganese, potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium to prevent diseases.

She also said that cashew fruits were rich in calcium that enhances healthy muscles and bones in the body and vitamin C which is a powerful remedy for colds.

The cashew fruit juice is now popping up in herbal formulas designed to boost energy and sexual function; it also helps to promote normal sleep patterns in menopausal women.

Cashew fruit has high copper content that is vital in energy production, greater flexibility in blood vessels, bones and joints and also high in calories.

Cashew fruits are also rich in many essential vitamins that help to maintain healthy gums, teeth and numerous health promoting phytochemicals that protect one from diseases and cancers,” she said.

Abdul said that cashew fruits provided anti-oxidant and protective ultra-violet ray filtering functions that helped to prevent age-related macular degeneration in the elderly.

She noted that eating cashew nuts could help the body to utilise iron, develop bones, produce skin with hair pigment and eliminate free radicals.

Abdul also said that the consumption of cashew fruits could be helpful in the management of sore throats and strengthen immune systems.

She said that cashew nuts were nourishing snacks with no cholesterol, but contained high fiber that were ideal for body building for weight-watch when eaten in moderation.

Abdul, however, advised that cashew fruits and nuts should be eaten moderately to enhance its effectiveness in strengthening the immune system for healthy life. (NAN)
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Link : http://www.nannewsnigeria.com/cashew-consumption-prevents-heart-diseases-nutritionist