Food Historian

by Linda Miller

College of Montreal experts propose 1 great way cashew extract may treat type two diabetes. New information published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research implies cashew seed extract may play an important role in preventing and treating diabetic issues. The cashew is a tree in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The plant is indigenous to northeastern Brazil.

Scientists at the University of Montreal and the College of Yaoundé in Cameroon studied how cashew products affected the responses of rat liver cells to insulin. In Canada, over 3 million Canadians have diabetes and this number is supposed to reach 3.7 million by 2020, according to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

In U.S.A, 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 researched cashew tree leaves, bark, seeds and apples. They found that exactly 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 can have potential anti-diabetic properties.

In most people with 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. Insufficient insulin can lead to heart or kidney diseases over time. The cashew nut is a popular snack, and its rich flavor means that it's often eaten without treatment, lightly salted or sugared. Cashews are a staple in vegan diets. They are utilised as a base in sauces and gravies, and can take on sweet properties for frostings and cookies.

They are high in protein and a raw, natural method to obtain energy. The fats and oils in cashew nuts are 54% monounsaturated fat, 18% polyunsaturated fat, and 16% saturated fat (9% palmitic acid and 7% stearic acid). Without having cholesterol cashew nuts are a healthy fat food for heart patients too. And because of their high levels of monounsaturated essential fatty acids, additionally, they help support healthy levels of good (HDL) cholesterol.

Here below is a 4 servings recipe "The Cashew Curry" made in 45 minutes having a wok or frying pan, a wooden spoon an the following ingredients:

• 1/2 pound whole cashews
• 2 T olive oil
• 5 shallots, thinly sliced
• 5 curry leaves
• 2-inch piece of lemongrass or zest of just one lemon
• 1 T coriander
• 1/2 t turmeric
• 1/2 t salt
• 2 chiles, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 slices ginger
• 15 oz unsweetened coconut milk
• 2 T cilantro, chopped

Directions

1. Sauté the shallots in the oil, stirring occasionally, until golden, about ten minutes.
2. Add the curry, lemon, turmeric, chiles, garlic, ginger, and salt, and cook until fragrant, 5-10 minutes.
3. Add remaining ingredients and simmer until thickened, another 5-10 minutes.
4. Remove curry leaves and serve, with diabetic rice or brown rice.

About the author

Linda Miller writes for type two diabetes cookbooks, her personal hobby site focused on cooking techniques to help individuals eat healthy to reduce or control diabetic issues.

Scientific references

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2010/Jul/cashew-seeds-can-help-fight-agai...

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117935711/grouphome/home.html