Overview

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) is a tree native to Brazil. Its nut, also known as cashew, is commonly eaten as food and also used as medicine.

Cashew contains unsaturated fatty acids that might help to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. It also contains chemicals that might fight certain bacteria.

People sometimes use cashew for diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Cashew overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Cashew is commonly consumed in foods. As medicine, it's possibly safe when used as up to 11% of calories in the diet. It's usually well-tolerated, but some people are allergic to cashew.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Cashew is commonly consumed in foods. As medicine, it's possibly safe when used as up to 11% of calories in the diet. It's usually well-tolerated, but some people are allergic to cashew.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Cashew is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if cashew is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine while pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick with food amounts.

Allergy to certain other nuts or pectin: Cashew might cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to hazelnut, Brazil nut, pistachio, almond, peanut, sumac, mango, pink peppercorn, citrus seeds, yuzu, or pectin.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Cashew

    Cashew might increase blood sugar when eaten in large amounts. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar. Taking cashew along with diabetes medications might decrease the effects of diabetes medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

    Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Dosing

Cashew is commonly consumed in foods. As medicine, speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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