Interesting Health Facts On Cashew Apple
Cashew Fruit, Botanically classified as “ Anacardium occidentale ”
Origin Of Cashew Fruit
The species is native to Northeastern Brazil and Southeastern Venezuela.
cashew trees are found globally across most warmer regions, with India and Vietnam leading the world’s cashew production.
Other Names Of Cashew Fruit
Cashew apple [English]; pomme cajou, pomme de cajou [French]; merey a la fruta, marañon [Spanish]; pedúnculo de caju [Portuguese]; kasjoeappel [Afrikaans].
Cashew bagasse, cashew pomace, cashew apple pulp, cashew pulp, cashew apple waste [English]; pulpe de pomme cajou [French]; bagaço de caju [Portuguese]
In India, cashew apples are it’s called kajoo phal in Hindi and Marathi, and kashu manga in Malayalam.
Appearance Of Cashew Fruit
Cashew apples have a waxy skin and a crisp, watery texture that resembles a bell pepper. However, unlike a capsicum, its flesh is fibrous and cottony. The fruit is an oval or pear-shaped structure, a hypocarpium, that develops from the pedicel and the receptacle of the cashew flower. Called the cashew apple.
The fruit of the cashew tree is a kidney– or boxing-glove–shaped drupe that grows at the end of the cashew apple.
Taste of cashew apple
Cashew fruit is highly aromatic with sweet, tropical flavors mixed with an astringent taste. Many liken the flavor of the fruit to be a blend of cucumbers, strawberries, mangos, and bell pepper.
Varieties of cashew apple
There is colour variants of Cashew apples are Red, Orange and Yellow.
A few cashew apple varieties have astringent tannins that produce a chalky, starchy taste like a raw plantain’s. Red cashew apples are more astringent than the milder, sweeter yellow fruits.
Nutritional Value in a Cashew Apple
100g of edible cashew apple has the following nutrition as per the book, “Nutritive Value of Indian Foods”:
- 53 kcal
- 3g Moisture
- .2g Protein
- .1g Fat
- .8g Minerals
- 2g Fiber
- 1g Carbs
- 10mg Calcium
- 67mg Phosphorous
- 2mg Iron
- 23ug Carotene
- .02mg Thiamine
- .05mg Riboflavin
- .3mg Niacin
- 49mg Vitamin C
- 124mg Potassium
Interesting Health Facts On Cashew Apple
- Boosts Immune system: Carotenoids are beneficial antioxidants that can protect you from disease and enhance your immune system.The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healing nature of the cashew apple juice hold therapeutic activity which improve immunological mechanisms.
- Promotes Healthy Eyes: Vitamin A ,lutein and zeaxanthin, present in Cashew Apple is an excellent food for the eyes. Fruits are very effective in promoting healthy eyes and also preventing your eyes from been damages by harmful radiations and instance of cataracts.
- Rejuvenates Skin: Cashew Apple use is mainly due to the high content of vitamin C, since the juice is five times richer than other citrus fruits and four times richer than sweet orange. While vitamin C in cashew fruits provided young-looking skin, the maintenance of collagen and prevent premature skin sagging .
- Prevent Cancer: Cashew fruits contain compounds known as proanthocyanins, that suppresses cancer cell replication, reduces cell propensity to mutate, and prevent colon cancer.
- Keeps Healthy Heart: Cashew fruit contains phytosterols, phenolic compounds, and oleic acid compound for heart health and makes blood vessels stronger. It helps to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and improve good cholesterol (HDL) in the body.
- Uplifts Muscle and Bone Health: Cashew apple fruits were rich in calcium ,vitamin C,Copper nutrients which is vital in energy production, greater flexibility in blood vessels, bones and joints and also high in calories.
- Reduce the risk of type2 Diabetics: High-fiber fruits like Cashew apples, slows down sugar absorption into bloodstream. The vitamin C abundant in Cashew apples may also help reducing blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes.
- Promotes Energy: zinc, iron, and antioxidants are filled in this Cashew apples .The cashew apples fruit helps to boost energy and sexual function and also promotes normal sleep patterns in menopausal women.
- Helps to Reduce Weight: Cashew apples are proteins, and Fibres that make stomach full for a long time and these nuts are high in calories, it’s essential to consume them in moderation.
- Aids Digestion: Cashew apple is used as a remedy for chronic dysentery and for sore throat in Cuba and in Brazil. carbohydrates (dietary fiber) and Bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid and flavonoids) are mainly found in this fruit help to promote healthy digestion and reduce the haemorrhoids formation.