Effects of Cashew Nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) Seed Flour in Moderately Malnourished Children: Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

The monitoring and combined use of dietary supplements to restore adequate growth are paramount and highly recommended in child malnutrition, an important public health problem. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of cashew nut seed flour in children with moderate malnutrition, treated at primary healthcare services. This is a randomized clinical trial conducted from April to October 2017 in the city of Imperatriz, Brazil. The sample comprised 30 children born at term, aged between 2 and 5 years, and newly diagnosed with malnutrition (60 days or less), randomized into experimental and control groups. The intervention consisted of daily intake of cashew nut seed flour. There was intragroup statistically significant difference in the glucose levels of children who were assigned to the control group (p=0.02) and in the glycated hemoglobin in the experimental group (p<0.01). Intergroup analysis of glycated hemoglobin levels showed statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group (p=0.01). HDL and LDL had, respectively, increased and decreased in the experimental group. The use of cashew nut seed flour in a 24-week period had positive effects on glycated hemoglobin, HDL, and LDL parameters in moderately malnourished children.

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Nuts Modulate the Nrf2 and NLRP3 Pathways in Pancreas and Lung after Induction of Acute Pancreatitis by Cerulein

“…Cashew nuts, fruits of Anacardium occidentale L., an original plant from Brazil, have shown a good capacity to counteract oxidative damage, primarily thanks to the abundance of secondary metabolites such as polyphenols, flavonoids and others [ 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ]. The most plausible hypothesis is that polyphenolic components of dietary plants modulate the cellular redox state by boosting the endogenous antioxidant defense [ 66 , 67 ]. Recently, cashew nuts were used for their antioxidant, anti-genotoxic, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, and other protective properties [ 31 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 ].…”

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Nuts Counteract Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in an Acute Experimental Model of Carrageenan-Induced Paw Edema

“…Anacardium occidentale L. is a Brazilian plant that is usually consumed in nature and used in folk medicine with high value edible nut and a source of carbohydrates, proteins, phosphorous, iron, zinc, magnesium, fibers, and fatty acids [79]. Actually, it is officially listed in the National System of Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicine of the specific Italian health system for medicinal purposes [30].…”