What is Cashew Milk?
These days, there’s increased interest in dairy alternatives. But cashew milk is more than just a dairy alternative! Cashews, the seed of the cashew apple, native to Brazil, are rich in nutrients that come with plenty of health benefits. If you don’t find yourself snacking on cashews, drinking cashew milk is a great way to incorporate a rich nutrition value into your daily routine.
We love the creamy consistency of cashew milk. Its silky texture makes it perfect for drinking, coffee and cooking -- there are so many ways to use cashew milk every day. Cashew milk is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, making it a rich source of nutrients for people with plant-based or restricted diets.
Minerals
Even if you take a daily multivitamin, nutritionists and doctors typically recommend sourcing as many nutrients as you can from your food before turning to supplements or fortified products. Cashews are high in nutritional value. And while they do have vitamins, their mineral content steals the show. Cashews are full of magnesium, copper and iron. Copper is essential in the formation of new blood vessels, and together with iron forms red blood cells to help keep anemia at bay.
Elmhurst’s cashew milk has 6% of the daily recommended iron intake, making it an easy way to add iron to your diet if you are at risk of being low.
Heart Health
Here’s a fun fact: the cashew’s scientific name Anacardium comes from the Greek word for heart, because the cashew apple looks like a heart! It’s a fitting name. Nuts have long been known for promoting heart health. A balanced diet includingnuts can help regulate heart health and prevent cardiovascular disease - and that includes cashews! One study found that cashews can even help decrease systolic blood pressure and increase HDL cholesterol.
Nuts are filled with good unsaturated fats. While the exact reasons still remain unclear, the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in nuts may help lower bad cholesterol levels. Cashew milk is not necessarily low-calorie or low fat, but it does offer the healthy fats that your body needs.
Amino Acids
One of the biggest concerns people have when reducing or eliminating animal products from their diet is their protein intake. However, animal products aren’t the only way we can give our bodies the protein they need.
Our bodies function best with a diet rich in amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, making them essential for making up the many protein-based structures such as muscles, skin, hair and fingernails. This means that even if we don’t eat all the proteins we need, our bodies can adjust by building them with amino acids. Cashews contain 18 of the 22 amino acids used by humans, including all 8 of the “essential” amino acids (albeit some in relatively low quantities, meaning you’ll want to supplement cashews with other plant-based protein sources).
So what exactly happens to those amino acids after you enjoy cashew milk? Lysine is important for calcium absorption and healing infection, while arginine plays an important role in cell division and hormone release. And just like vitamins and minerals, amino acids are better received when they come from a food source.
What better way to source these amino acids than through cashew milk? Enjoy it plain, as a dairy alternative or as a substitute for milk in cooking and baking.
Eyesight
When we think of improving our vision with food, most of us probably think of carrots or other brightly colored fruits and vegetables, rich in vitamin A and beta carotene. But cashews can play a special role in protecting your eyesight too! Cashews are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, which both protect eyes from the decline they experience as we age.
Try making vision-friendly mashed potatoes! Add cashew milk to thisvegan garlic mashed potatoes recipe, to make it rich and creamy and dairy-free. Cashews are also used in Indian cuisine, so try adding it to your curries!
Bone Health
One thing’s for certain: we aren’t getting any younger. One of the toughest things to maintain as we get older is bone health...so much so that most of us even thought about it as kids, when we were reminded to drink our milk.
Luckily, dairy milk isn’t the only place to get calcium...and calcium isn’t the only nutrient we need to keep our bones healthy and strong. Cashews do contain some calcium, but they are also rich in magnesium and other minerals that promote bone health.
Quality Matters
With all the cashews’ health benefits, you want to be sure that when you are drinking cashew milk you are actually drinking cashews...and unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Many cashew milks are full of artificial flavors, gums and carrageenan and have hardly any cashews at all! Look for cashew milk that has fewer ingredients to get the most of this amazing nut.
Our cashew milk offers up to 5 times more cashews per serving than other brands, and is free from extra ingredients, like gums. Check out our cashew milk line or see how we use it in recipes!
If you care about retaining nutritional value, building strong bones, promoting an unwavering vision and maintaining a balanced diet, you’re looking for a quality of cashew milk that only Elmhurst can offer.
FAQs
Cashew milk contains healthy fats, protein, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Most of the fat in this highly nutritious beverage comes from unsaturated fatty acids that boost heart health and offer other benefits ( 1 , 2 ). Store-bought varieties may have different amounts of nutrients than homemade versions.
Is it okay to drink cashew milk every day? ›
If you don't find yourself snacking on cashews, drinking cashew milk is a great way to incorporate a rich nutrition value into your daily routine. We love the creamy consistency of cashew milk. Its silky texture makes it perfect for drinking, coffee and cooking -- there are so many ways to use cashew milk every day.
What happens to your body when you eat cashews every day? ›
Not only can they lower bad cholesterol, cashews may help prevent heart disease due to their high magnesium content. Getting enough magnesium may reduce your risk of ischemic heart disease, which happens when your heart doesn't get enough blood. The magnesium in cashews may help reduce the risk of stroke.
How many days does homemade cashew milk last? ›
Homemade cashew milk lasts 3-4 days in the fridge. Though I think it's best consumed within the first 2-3 days. You can halve this recipe if you don't think you'll use it all up. You can also make a full batch and pour any extra into a silicone ice cube tray and freeze for future use.
Does cashew milk help you sleep? ›
Did you know that apart from energising you and keeping you satiated, they can also help you relax at the end of the day and calm your mind to ensure good night's sleep. Many people love to have cashews but they are also wary of them thinking they will lead to rise in their cholesterol levels.
Is homemade cashew milk good for you? ›
Summary Cashew milk is loaded with nutrients, including unsaturated fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Homemade varieties are usually more nutritious, though store-bought types may be fortified with vitamin D and calcium.
Which is healthier, almond or cashew milk? ›
Choosing which milk is healthier between almond vs cashew depends on how it fits into the context of your diet. Based on the nutritional comparison, both milks are similar in terms of the nutrients they provide. The main difference comes down to the brand you choose, and whether it is sweetened and/or fortified.
Are there any negative effects to cashews? ›
Cashew nuts may also cause bloating, constipation, weight gain, and joint swelling in some people. But these side effects are rare. When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if cashew is safe. If the unroasted cashew is used it might cause skin irritation, redness, and blisters.
Do cashews affect bowel movements? ›
Side effects from eating cashews are very rare; however, regularly eating far more than the recommended amount may lead to digestive symptoms such as bloating or constipation/diarrhea, headache and joint swelling.
Are cashews anti-inflammatory? ›
Almonds (nuts in general)-Almonds, walnuts, and cashews are among some of the best nuts to eat when wanting to avoid inflammation. What makes these so easy to eat is that they can be a snack, incorporated into a main dish, or sprinkled on dessert. Try to get these in your diet, daily if possible.
Refrigeration: Store your cashew milk in an airtight container or in glass bottles with a lid in the refrigerator. It's best if consumed within 3-5 days.
Is store bought cashew milk healthy? ›
Cashew milk is an excellent choice for those looking for a healthy, dairy-free alternative to cow's milk. Here's why: Cashew milk is low in calories. One cup of unsweetened cashew milk contains just 25 calories, compared to 149 calories in one cup of whole milk.
Is coconut milk or cashew milk better for you? ›
Coconut milk and cashew milk are both lactose-free options for people with lactose intolerance. However, coconut milk contains more fat and calories than cashew milk, which may affect your dietary needs. If you are looking for a lower calorie and lower fat option, cashew milk may be the better choice for you.
Does cashew milk raise cholesterol? ›
Cashew Nut Consumption Increases HDL Cholesterol and Reduces Systolic Blood Pressure in Asian Indians with Type 2 Diabetes: A 12-Week Randomized Controlled Trial.
Why is cashew milk so good? ›
Being low in saturated fat and high in unsaturated fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, cashew milk can promote heart health. These fats can help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, which are known to lower the risk of heart disease.
Is cashew good for skin? ›
Cashews contain copper, a mineral essential for the synthesis of collagen—a protein that maintains skin structure and elasticity. Adequate copper intake contributes to reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, promoting a more youthful complexion.
Is cashew milk healthier than whole milk? ›
Compared to 1 cup of whole fat, cow milk:
Almond, rice, coconut, hemp, and cashew milk are lower in calories. Most have 25-63% of the fat of cow milk, with the exception of Hemp (8 g) All are lower in sugar (<3 g) except for Oat and Hazelnut (17 g and 13 g vs. 12 g)
How many cashews a day is safe? ›
Five to eight cashews per day are sufficient for good health. This serving size offers a good balance of nutrients without overloading your diet with calories, fat, or potential side effects,” she said, adding that cashews can be consumed in the morning or evening snack time, as roasted or soaked in water.
Is there a downside to almond milk? ›
Almond milk poses the most significant risk to people with an almond allergy. The beverage may also contain less-than-desirable ingredients, even for people without a nut allergy.
