Are cashews really nuts?

Botanically they are seeds of the cashew apple, but for culinary and allergy purposes they are treated as tree nuts.

Why are cashews never sold fully raw in shell?

The shell contains urushiol — the same caustic oil as poison ivy. Every cashew sold for eating, including 'raw' ones, has been steamed to deactivate it. Hand-processing the shell is one of the most hazardous tasks in the global nut trade.

How many cashews a day?

Trials use 1 oz (~18 nuts) daily as part of an otherwise Mediterranean pattern — enough to move copper and magnesium status without meaningful weight or lipid downside.

Are cashews bad for cholesterol?

No. Meta-analyses show cashew intake is at worst lipid-neutral and at best mildly LDL-lowering compared to typical Western snacks it replaces.

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Exhibit I · The Invitation

Cashew

— بادام هندی —

Creamy nut rich in magnesium and copper — supports heart, mood, and bones.

Traditional wisdom and modern evidence—clearly explained.

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Evidence: Moderate
Reviewed by: Moji Tehrani, founder
Last reviewed: July 2026

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