One of the most healthy and beneficial nuts is cashew. A rich source of minerals and nutrients, cashews, the most delicious and possibly the most versatile of all nuts, contain carbohydrate, sugar, fibre, protein, fat, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc and many other nutrients. So having a handful of cashews every day could ward off the cold and flu this year. Its high levels of copper and iron help the body’s red blood cells and the immune system.
Cashews are rich in magnesium, which is very important for the functioning of the body, and aids many biochemical reactions in the body like energy creation, muscle movements, and nervous system regulation. The copper present in cashew is necessary for the growth of new blood vessels and for maintaining a healthy immune system. Cashews are also full of vitamin C and B, which again help in building a strong immune system and maintain good health.
Why cashews are good for our immune system?
Cashews are protein-rich
Cashews are loaded with proteins. Our body needs protein as one of the three macronutrients to build energy. Proteins are also important for rebuilding muscle tissue and creating new cellular compounds. Moreover, proteins are vital to build and repair body tissue and fight viral and bacterial infections. Our immune system has antibodies and immune system cells that totally rely on protein. A diet deficient in protein may weaken our immune system, and lead to symptoms of weakness, fatigue, and apathy.
Great source of zinc
Cashews are a great source of zinc. If we fail to get enough zinc through our diet, we can compromise on the functioning of our immune system. This important mineral is essential in the development of the immune system cells. Zinc is also needed for the production of antioxidant enzymes, and it is also an important regulator of the immune system activities. Each 1-ounce serving of cashews contains about 1.6 mg of zinc. In fact, it is recommended that men should have an intake of 11 mg of zinc daily and women should take in 8 mg. Many studies have shown that boosting zinc intake is associated with a healthier immune response. This shows that cashews can help you fight off the cold and flu.
Excellent source of antioxidants
Cashews are rich in antioxidants that are the compounds that help us to counteract oxidative damage in the cell. Antioxidants are helpful for the cell as they neutralize free radicals that cause cellular damage. Some of the most potent antioxidants are vitamins E and K, and cashews contain both the vitamins that help our body to fight off oxidative damage.
Some clinical trials have found that antioxidant supplementation significantly improves certain immune responses. These supplementations include vitamins C, E, and A or beta-carotene that increase the activation of cells involved in tumour immunity in aged people.
Rich source of copper
Cashews are a rich source of copper, which plays an important role in eliminating free radicals from our body. Copper deficiency can lead to iron deficiencies like anaemia. Hence, our diet should contain the recommended quantity of copper. Copper is also essential for maintaining a healthy immune system. This essential mineral is necessary for survival. It is found in all body tissues and plays an important role in making red blood cells and maintaining nerve cells and the immune system. It also helps the body to form collagen and absorb iron. Moreover, we need copper for energy production.
Contains vitamin C
Cashews contain vitamin C that helps in building a strong immune system and maintaining good health. Vitamin C supports immune defence as it helps in various cellular functions of the immune system. Vitamin C acts as an epithelial barrier function against pathogens. Furthermore, vitamin C has the ability to prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections.
Contains no cholesterol
Cholesterol, a waxy compound that accumulates in the blood, is not good for us. It leads to plaque that damages the cardiovascular functioning. So it would be a good decision to avoid cholesterol in our diet. Cashews contain no cholesterol, which is good for our health, and is also beneficial for our immune system as excessive cholesterol-facilitated immune responses can lead to disease, notably atherosclerosis.