The cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) is a tropical evergreen tree that produces the cashew seed and the cashew apple pseudofruit. India is the first country to hit the world market with cashew kernels. India is the largest producer, processor and exporter of cashews in the world. Like the tree, the nut is often simply called cashew.

Benefits: Cashew nuts help maintain a healthy heart. Cashews are full of monounsaturated fats, which are needed to lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol, help lower blood pressure, combat against the formation of plaque build-up in artery walls, and help to lower triglyceride levels, which all works together to fight against heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Cashews are important for blood health – one serving of cashews contains a lot of copper and some iron, which together help in the formation and utilization of red blood cells.

Cashews can help manage weight and have healthy omega-3s, which help boost metabolism and burn fat, good for the skin and hair and can help prevent gallstones. It improves brain function, helps support cognitive function and mood regulation, and can alleviate mental disorders such as ADHD, depression and anxiety, good for bone health. Cashews are good for eye health, lower your risk for Type 2 diabetes, help to prevent migraine headaches and regulate thyroid function. The cashew seed is often considered a nut in the culinary sense; this cashew nut is eaten on its own, used in recipes, or processed into cashew cheese or cashew butter.