Short Answer: Cashew nuts are good for high cholesterol. Because they have unsaturated fats, phytosterols, and plant sterols that can lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol.
High cholesterol is a condition that affects your blood vessels and heart.
In high cholesterol, your body has too much of a waxy substance called cholesterol in your blood.
This can lead to various health problems, such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.
One of the key factors in managing high cholesterol is diet.
What you consume can affect your blood cholesterol levels, which can impact your high cholesterol symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage high cholesterol, you should consume unsaturated fat rich foods like olive oil, avocados, and fatty fish and avoid saturated fat and trans fat rich foods like butter, cheese, and pastries.
Now, cashew nuts are the seeds of cashew apples, a nutritious and delicious snack.
They have a rich flavor, healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants.
People usually eat them raw, roasted, or salted, or use them in recipes, or process them into cashew cheese or cashew butter.
Cashew nuts are good for high cholesterol because they contain unsaturated fats, phytosterols, and plant sterols.
These are good ingredients that can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol.
However, cashew nuts may not be good for people with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition that causes very high LDL cholesterol levels.
One ounce (28 grams) of cashew nuts can give you about 12 grams of fat (69% of which are unsaturated), 5 grams of protein, 9 grams of carbs, and 1 gram of fiber.
They also provide some minerals and vitamins, such as copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, selenium, thiamine, vitamin K, and vitamin B6.
Unsaturated fats can help lower LDL cholesterol and reduce inflammation in your blood vessels.
Phytosterols and plant sterols can block the absorption of cholesterol from your intestines and lower LDL cholesterol.
They can also improve your immune system and protect against some cancers.
Furthermore, cashew nuts are a type of nut and nuts are good for high cholesterol.
Because, they are high in fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that can protect your blood vessels from damage and lower your risk of heart disease.
You can eat one ounce (28 grams) of cashew nuts per day safely.
More than that can cause weight gain, digestive problems, and kidney stones. Cashew nuts are high in calories, oxalates, and sodium (if salted), so moderation is key.
Also, you shouldn’t eat cashew nuts if you have a nut allergy to prevent anaphylaxis.
Because, cashew nuts can trigger a severe allergic reaction in some people.
You can buy fresh cashew nuts in your local market or can order them from online.
Always choose unsalted and unroasted varieties to avoid added salt and oil.
Because, salt and oil can increase your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
You can store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to six months.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing high cholesterol effectively.
I always recommend my high cholesterol patients to follow a high cholesterol-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.