"Cashew Waste No More": Natural Extracts May Help Combat Body Fat

 

A recent study has shown that extracts made from typically discarded parts of the cashew plant can significantly reduce fat cell growth and fat accumulation.

According to a report by New Atlas, the findings suggest that the cashew plant could offer an innovative way to promote better health.

Over a Billion Affected

Obesity affects more than one billion people globally. Because it’s influenced by a mix of genetic, environmental, and social factors and contributes to rising rates of disease and death, researchers have been working hard to find safe and effective ways to treat the condition.

Life and Environmental Sciences

A new study led by Professor Hiroko Isoda at the University of Tsukuba’s Alliance for Research on Life and Environmental Sciences found that various parts of the cashew plant—from the fruit to the shell—can affect the growth of fat cells (also known as adipocytes) and how fat accumulates in the body.

Previous studies suggested that cashew plant parts may help reduce body weight and lower fat levels in both humans and animals. However, their direct impact on fat cell development and molecular pathways had not been thoroughly explored.

The Cashew Apple

The cashew tree produces both the familiar cashew nut and a fleshy structure called the cashew apple that grows above the nut. During commercial processing, the apple is usually discarded, despite being edible. The hard outer shell of the nut is often thrown away as well, mainly due to its content of urushiol, a toxic resin also found in poison ivy.

Weight Reduction

Earlier research on lab mice and humans showed that cashew nuts and cashew apples can reduce body weight and blood fat levels, and influence fat storage. In this latest study, researchers prepared extracts from cashew kernels, dried cashew apples, and cashew shells. They tested these extracts at various concentrations on 3T3-L1 cells, which are pre-adipocytes capable of becoming mature fat cells.

They closely examined how each extract affected the fat cell development process and fat accumulation. While a certain level of body fat is normal and essential for energy storage and insulation, excessive fat can lead to health complications.

Cashew Shell Extract

The researchers found that cashew shell extract strongly inhibits the formation of fat cells. It does this by suppressing specific transcription factors that usually promote fat cell development. Transcription factors are proteins that act as molecular switches, controlling how and when genes are turned on or off. In the case of fat cells, they play a key role in regulating fat storage and usage.

Dried Cashew Apple

The dried cashew apple extract also reduced the activity of these transcription factors, though in a slightly different way. It appeared to lower fat accumulation in fat cells without directly affecting the creation of new fat cells.

Cashew Kernel Extract

Interestingly, the cashew kernel extract did not impact fat cell development but significantly increased levels of a beneficial protein called adiponectin. This protein, secreted by fat cells, helps the body use insulin more effectively and supports fat burning, especially during exercise or fasting. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Unique Biological Effects

The researchers concluded that these diverse effects show the potential of cashew nuts and other parts of the cashew plant as valuable natural resources. They believe further exploration of these compounds could lead to better metabolic health management and improved overall wellness.