Cashew Extract May Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

The following article was submitted by Linda Miller who writes for Diabetic Cookbook ...

School of Montreal researchers recommend us one good way cashew extract may treat type 2 diabetes.

New research published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research advises 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 College of Montreal and the University of Yaoundé in Cameroon analyzed how cashew products affected the responses of rat liver cells to insulin.

In Canada, over three million Canadians have diabetes and this number is expected 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 looked at cashew tree leaves, bark, seeds and apples. They found that only 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 could have potential anti-diabetic properties.

In certain people who have diabetes, a common condition called insulin resistance prevents the body from processing the hormone, which regulates energy and the processing of sugars in the body.

Deficiency of insulin can result in heart or kidney diseases as time passes.

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 rich in protein and a raw, natural supply of 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 fatty acids, additionally, they help support healthy numbers of good (HDL) cholesterol.

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

Ingredients:

• ½ pound whole cashews
• 2 T organic olive oil
• 5 shallots, thinly sliced
• 5 curry leaves
• 2-in piece of lemongrass or zest of 1 lemon
• 1 T coriander
• ½ t turmeric
• ½ t salt
• 2 chiles, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 slices ginger
• 15 oz unsweetened coconut milk
• 2 T cilantro, chopped

Directions:

Sauté the shallots in the oil, stirring occasionally, until golden, about ten minutes.

Add the curry, lemon, turmeric, chiles, garlic, ginger, and salt, and cook until fragrant, 5-10 min's.

Add remaining ingredients and simmer until thickened, another 5-10 min's. Remove curry leaves and serve, with diabetic rice or brown rice.