Thursday, December 07, 2017

Craving Cashews, Why?


I used to nosh on almonds very happily and even walnuts, but the past few weeks I only want cashew nuts. Now, what's the difference between almonds, cashews and walnuts?
AlmondsOne serving (28 grams or a small handful) contains roughly:
  • Calories: 161
  • Total fat: 14 grams
  • Protein: 6 grams
  • Carbs: 6 grams
  • Fiber: 3.5 grams
  • Vitamin E: 37% of the RDI
  • Magnesium: 19% of the RDI
Almonds may improve cholesterol levels. A number of small studies have found that eating an almond-rich diet can reduce "bad" LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and oxidized LDL cholesterol, which is particularly harmful to heart health (141516).
WalnutsA one-ounce serving of walnuts (28 grams) contains roughly:
  • Calories: 182
  • Total Fat: 18 grams
  • Protein: 4 grams
  • Carbs: 4 grams
  • Fiber: 2 grams
  • Vitamin E: 1% of the RDI
  • Magnesium: 11% of the RDI
Walnuts appear to improve a number of risk factors for heart disease. This may be due to their high content of ALA and other nutrients.
A number of large studies have found that eating walnuts significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, while increasing "good" HDL cholesterol (313233).
Walnuts may also improve other factors related to heart health, including blood pressure and the normal flow of blood through the circulatory system (3435).
In addition, walnuts may help reduce inflammation, which can contribute to many chronic diseases (36).
Interestingly, a study in college students found that eating walnuts increased a measure of cognition called "inferential reasoning," suggesting that walnuts may have beneficial effects on the brain (37).
CashewsOne ounce of cashews contains roughly:
  • Calories: 155
  • Total Fat: 12 grams
  • Protein: 5 grams
  • Carbs: 9 grams
  • Fiber: 1 grams
  • Vitamin E: 1% of the RDI
  • Magnesium: 20% of the RDI
A number of studies have examined whether diets high in cashews can improve symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
One study found that a diet containing 20% of calories from cashews improved blood pressure in people with metabolic syndrome (39).
Another study found cashews increased the antioxidant potential of the diet (40).
Interestingly, a couple of studies have shown that eating diets high in cashews may increase blood sugar in people with metabolic syndrome. However, more studies are needed to confirm this effect (3941).
Which nut do you think is better?

2 comments:

Sandra said...

That’s funny, because I LOVE nuts and have to strictly control having them in my house! I suppose I could eat more by saying they are so good for me, but that way fattyhood lives! Nuts are my go to mindless eating binge.

Batya said...

Are yours raw? Mine are. I keep mine in the freezer and have a few as energizing snack protein is good. But only in the past coupke of months have I developed this preference for cashews which I never even bought in the past.