An In-Depth Comparison of Cashews vs. Peanuts

Did you know that there are 53 different species of edible nuts? Cashews and peanuts are some of the most popular examples. While both of these nuts are tasty, is one better than the other? 

The argument of cashews vs peanuts is not new. Many people are unsure about the differences between these two types of nuts. Keep reading and learn more about these healthy nuts and whether one is better.

What You Need to Know About Cashews

Both cashews and peanuts are very healthy for you. Peanuts and cashews have different vitamins and other nutrients. Many people think that these two nuts are the same because they taste so similar. 

But they have more differences than you might expect. Cashews are one of the most nutritious nuts you can eat. These nuts grow on trees. 

They come from the Anacardium occidentale tree, which grows in tropical regions. Cashews grow inside a shell on the branches of this tree. The shells are toxic due to their chemical composition. 

Cashews are not only classified as a nut but also a seed. You also cannot eat cashews raw. If you did, you would get sick. 

This is because raw cashews contain the toxins left over from their shells. The so-called "raw" cashews you get from the grocery store have been roasted. This removes the toxins and renders them safe to eat.

These nuts are quite calorie-rich. One ounce of cashews provides 157 calories. This is what most people will consume from a handful. 

This makes these nuts very calorie-dense, even though you don't need to eat a lot of them. They also contain 12 grams of fat per ounce. This doesn't mean that these nuts are bad for you. 

Cashews are rich in healthy fat, also known as unsaturated fat. Healthy fat is ideal for keeping your entire body healthy. Without this type of fat in your diet, it would be impossible for the human body to function. 

Research has shown that unsaturated fat may lessen your risk of developing heart disease. This is important since heart disease is one of the world's leading causes of death.

The Details

Cashews also have 9 grams of carbs. Carbs are important for providing energy for the body. Carbs are also what contributes to weight gain. 

This is why it is important to consume moderate amounts of carbs. This will allow you to maintain a stable and healthy weight. Cashews are unique for their vitamin and mineral content. 

They contain 67% of your daily copper intake. Copper is very important for the immune system. It is also significant for brain function and energy levels.

Cashews also contain other important minerals like magnesium, iron, phosphate, and more. While all of these minerals exist in trace amounts in the body, they are still important. 

Without adequate levels of these nutrients, your body would not be able to function. Cashews are also rich in vitamin B6 and vitamin K. Cashews are very low in sugar. 

This makes them ideal for diabetics and those watching their sugar intake. Cashews are very versatile. You can eat them by themselves since they have a natural buttery flavor. 

You can also add them to salads, baked goods, curry, and other foods.

What You Need to Know About Peanuts

There are many peanut varieties. The standard peanuts that you buy at the grocery store are full of health benefits and nutrients. You may be surprised to know that peanuts are not nuts at all. 

They are instead part of the legume family. This is also known as the bean family.

For thousands of years, peanuts have grown in the tropical climates of South America. They do not grow on trees but instead in the ground. The American Dream team carefully selects dry-roasted peanuts from American-grown farms to handcraft our gourmet peanut butter in small batches.

Peanuts are one of the most commonly consumed snacks in the United States. They are also popular in other parts of the world such as South America and Asia. One ounce of peanuts contains 161 calories. 

This makes them more calorie-dense than cashews. They also contain 7.3 grams of protein. They only contain around 4 grams of carbs.

This is significantly less than cashews. This makes peanuts more of an attractive option for those who are concerned about their weight. The fat content of peanuts is 14 grams per ounce. 

This is even higher than cashews. Remember that this is unsaturated fat, which has many health benefits. The sugar and sodium content are both very low, making peanuts particularly healthy. 

Many studies have focused on the health benefits of peanuts. Science has discovered that peanuts may be very good for cardiovascular health. This is due to their unsaturated fat content. 

This healthy fat helps lower bad cholesterol in the blood. There is bad cholesterol and good cholesterol. Bad cholesterol is what leads to coronary artery disease.

Health Benefits

Lowering bad cholesterol can keep your cardiovascular system healthy. Some studies suggest that peanuts also reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This is assuming that you eat peanuts regularly. 

It also assumes that you don't overindulge in this substance. Peanuts may also be a good snack for weight loss. While peanuts do contain a lot of fat, they also make people feel full.

When you feel full, you will be less likely to snack on things that contain a lot of carbs. This will help you lose weight in the long run. Peanuts are great for those who are diabetic. 

Many foods lead to a spike in blood sugar. This can be dangerous for diabetics. But this won't happen with peanuts since they hardly contain any sugar. 

Peanuts are also rich in many different vitamins and minerals. Magnesium, copper, folate, and arginine can all be found in peanuts. Vitamin E is the most prominent vitamin in peanuts. 

This vitamin is good for the skin and the rest of the body. The main downside is that many people are allergic to peanuts. More people are allergic to peanuts than ever before. 

It is important to make sure you don't have a peanut allergy before you consume this healthy food. 

Cashews vs Peanuts

Which is better, cashews or peanuts? You have already seen the health benefits of each. One is not necessarily better than the other. 

Both are very good and healthy. There is no reason to favor one over the other. You can incorporate both into your diet. 

They also share many similarities. They are both high-calorie snacks. This can help people maintain a healthy weight, as long as they don't eat too much. 

The main differences have to do with their vitamin and mineral content. Cashews are very rich in minerals. They are especially rich in copper, which is good for your immune system and brain. 

While peanuts also contain important minerals, they don't have as many as cashews. This is important to consider if you want to consume more minerals like copper and iron. Peanuts are richer in vitamins. 

The main vitamins that cashews have are vitamin K and vitamin C. Vitamin K is important for blood clotting. Vitamin C is important for your skin. 

Peanuts have all sorts of B vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, and B5. They are also rich in vitamin E. Both of these substances are very good for your cardiovascular system. 

This is because they are rich in unsaturated fat. Eating healthy fat also can improve the texture and tone of your skin. Some studies have shown that eating cashews or peanuts can reduce the risk of premature death. 

More studies are needed to see how true this is. But the research so far is sure that these substances are good for you. They both taste good, too. 

You can add them to your diet in many ways. You can add whole cashews and peanuts to your salads and meals. You can also consider cashew butter or peanut butter like Butter My Cup Peanut Butter. 

You can easily spread these kinds of butter on toast or add them to your favorite baked goods. As long as you regularly consume cashews or peanuts, you can reap their health benefits. 

All About Cashews and Peanuts

When comparing cashews vs peanuts, both are very good choices. They are both rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Studies have shown that they are great for your cardiovascular health.

They reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in your body too. You can easily add them to your diet via nut butter options. If you're looking to buy nut butter, look no further than our selection.