In this article, we will discuss how cashew nuts boost our memory and brain health.
All plant derived food items are rich in essential nutrients. However, some are more beneficial for our health than the others.
One plant product that would leave you deeply surprised is cashew nut.
For most of us, cashew nut is an extremely sumptuous food item. It is deliciously creamy and is a great substitute of cheese, yogurt, butter, and even egg.
However, we have rarely focused on the wide array of health benefits offered by these nuts.
All seeds and nuts we consume are rich sources of beneficial fats, magnesium, and B vitamin. Together, these nutrients allow us to remain satiated and happy.
However, few other nuts can have such a huge impact on the functioning of our brain. Cashews have actually been found to manage mild depression, reduce anxiety, and keep general stress as bay.
Contents
Nutrients in Cashew Nuts that Aid Mental Health
Cashew milk contains high quantity of micronutrients like potassium, which helps in maintaining our gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health.
The nut is also filled with trace elements such as iron and zinc that protects our body against infectious and parasitic diseases.
In addition, the nut can prevent age-induced macular degeneration (a condition affecting the central part of our retina) thanks to the presence of antioxidant pigment Zea Xanthin in it.
Other than all these, cashews are rich sources of nutrients that assist us in beating the blues effectively. Read on to know about them:
Tryptophan
There are just a handful of plant-based food items that contain as much of the amino acid tryptophan as cashews.
Tryptophan allows our brain to absorb serotonin, a monoamine neurotransmitter, more efficiently. The amino acid also plays the role of a direct precursor of the antidepressant hormone.
If your diet doesn’t contain enough tryptophan, your body will not be able to produce enough serotonin and will also fail to use the neurotransmitter efficiently.
Such drop in your serotonin levels would make you feel stressed, anxious, and melancholic.
As mentioned above, the density of tryptophan is incredibly high in cashews. A1/4th cup serving of cashew nuts contain 1000 to 2000 mg of tryptophan.
Magnesium
The magnesium content of cashews is much more than that of almonds.
Getting enough magnesium from the food we eat is crucial for having a healthy nervous system. The mineral also plays a vital role in uplifting our mood, which helps us in managing depression and anxiety.
Many scientific researches have established link between anxiety and increase in blood sugar levels. Thus, by alleviating anxiety, magnesium helps in better blood sugar management.
Each serving of cashew nuts would provide you with 83 mg of magnesium.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 or pyridoxin is another micronutrient required for proper absorption of serotonin.
Together with tryptophan, vitamin B6 creates a calming and relaxed state and thereby helps us in getting rid of our anxious and sour mood.
Consumption of the vitamin is also important to allow magnesium to reach our cells more efficiently.
Fats
Individuals with health issues like cardiovascular disorders or obesity are often asked to consume a low-fat diet. However, these people also need to add foods rich in healthy fats to their daily diet chart.
Cashew nuts are excellent sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. These healthy fats are known for their brain-boosting properties and help in managing mood-swings in people suffering from mild to moderate depression.
Can Cashews be Taken Along with Anti-Depressants?
According to experts, the mood boosting properties of cashews are as powerful as that of Prozac.
Take ¼ cup of these nuts every day and you will surely experience notable improvement in the functioning of your brain.
Depression is a debilitating mental health disorder and you should never take it lightly.
We are not asking you to avoid getting yourself checked by a psychiatrist. Doing so is, in fact, extremely important. However, we do recommend taking cashew nuts along with your medications prescribed by your psychiatrist.
This will keep you in a good frame of mind.
Here, it must be noted that we might not be diagnosed with clinical depression, but we do feel sad at some points in our life. Having a serving cashew during those low phases of life would help us recover faster.
Effects of Cashew Nuts on Our Memory
By improving our brain functions, cashew increases our power of remembering. What’s more, consumption of these nuts during pregnancy has been found to boost memory of the unborn baby.
When a pregnant woman eats cashews, the nutrients of the nut accelerate the unborn baby’s reflex maturation. However, you will enjoy this benefit only if you consume cashew nuts in moderation.
Cashew works by decreasing the levels of docosahexaenoic acid and increasing the production of saturated fatty acids. Thus, including cashew nuts in your pregnancy diet would enhance your offspring’s memory and brain health even further.
During an animal study involving rodents, researchers found that consuming cashews in early life helps in having a sharp memory during adolescence.
What’s the Best Way of Having Cashew for Increasing Mental Strength?
For best results, you should begin your day by eating a serving of cashew nuts. Having this nut on empty stomach would increase its efficacy even further.
If you are a non-diabetic, it would be a good idea to lick some honey when eating cashews. This will augment the memory boosting ability of these nuts.
The combination of honey and cashews would also make your nervous system healthier.
If you are one those rare individuals who don’t love cashews as much as we do, you can try out some cashew recipes. These include:
- Cashew milk
- Vegan cheese
- Cashew oatmeal
- Nut butter
Conclusion
Based on the above discussion it can be concluded that having a single serving of cashew nuts every day would increase memory, help us stay happy and energetic.
You can even use the daily recommended amount of this delicious nut to prepare healthy and tasty delicacies.
Content References-
https://cashewhouse.com/cashew-nut-mental-health/
https://www.gyarkofarms.com/boost-brainpower-eating-cashews/
