by Linda Miller, www.diabeticcookbooks.org

New information published for the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research suggests cashew seed extract may play an important role in preventing and treating diabetes. The cashew is a tree in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The plant is native to northeastern Brazil.

Scientists at the School of Montreal and the School of Yaoundé in Cameroon studied how cashew products affected the responses of rat liver cells to insulin. In Canada, over three million Canadians have diabetes and this number is likely to reach 3.7 million by 2020, based on the Canadian Diabetes Association.

In the U.S., according to the American Diabetes Association, from the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, there are total 23.6 million children and adults in the United States – 7.8% of the population – have diabetes. 1.6 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older each year. 

Scientists viewed cashew tree leaves, bark, seeds and apples. They found that the cashew seed extract increased the absorption of blood sugar by the cells. Extracts of other plant parts had no such effect, indicating that cashew seed extract likely contains active compounds, which may have potential anti-diabetic properties.

In certain people who have diabetes, a disorder called insulin resistance prevents the body from processing the hormone, which regulates energy and also the processing of sugars in the body. Not enough insulin can result in heart or kidney diseases with time.

The cashew nut is a popular snack, and its rich flavor means it’s often eaten on its own, lightly salted or sugared. Cashews are a staple in vegan diets. They are used as a base in sauces and gravies, and can take on sweet properties for frostings and cookies. They are rich in protein and a raw, natural way to obtain energy.

The fats and oils in cashew nuts are 54% monounsaturated fat, 18% polyunsaturated fat, and 16% saturated fats (9% palmitic acid and 7% stearic acid). With no cholesterol cashew nuts are a healthy fat food for heart patients too. And because of their high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, additionally, they help support healthy levels of good (HDL) cholesterol.

Click here for a delicious Cashew Curry Recipe 

About the author - Linda Miller writes for www.diabeticcookbooks.org, her personal hobby blog site targeted on cooking tricks to help individuals eat healthy to prevent or control type II diabetes.

Scientific references:
www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2010/Jul/cashew-seeds-can-help-fight-against-diabetes-94654599.html
www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117935711/grouphome/home.html