ABSTRACT

The cashew ( Anacardium occidentale) is a tree in the family of the

flowering plant Anacardiaceae. The family contains 73 genera and about

600 species, it is native to tropical Africa of which cashew is by far the

most imprtant economically. The cashew offers many health benefits as

the nut is a rich source of copper, magnesium, protein, and

monounsaturated fat. However, consumption of cashews can pose a

number of health risks as a result of fts toxicological effects that it has,

such as allergic reactions, kidney stones, gallstones, metabolic syndrome,

high blood pressure, headaches, rash, and toxins( Aflatoxins). The Wister

Albino rats numbering twelve were used and grouped into six groups and

these cashew nuts grinded were incorporated into an animal growers feed(

vital) and were given in a dosage of 5g, log, 20g, 40g, and 50g in a ratio

of 1:1 for twenty one days. The results shows that there is a significant

high level in liver and kidney functions in all the groups in a standard

deviation for the biological parameters SGOT 8.50±0.141,SGPT 16.StO.424,

Total Bilirubin 0.95O.7O7, Conjugated Bilirubin 8.5QO.l4l, ALP 81.0fl.414,

Urea 285Oi7O7, Creatinine 125Q.7O7 It is evident that percentage

increase in the parameters is an indication of ailment and diseases that

impairs the liver and the kidney balances, such as the metabolic syndrome,

cancer, pancreatic cancer, blood pressure, Allergy, Rash, Toxins, kidney

stone, and gallstone. It is recommended that people who are prone to

blood pressure, obsessed persons, and those placed on drugs are not

advised to consume cashews as it will cause an elevation, and also interact

with the drugs, which might be harmful to the health. Therefore it is

recommended that the cashew nuts even though it is enjoying to consume,

it also poses some health risks when consumed in an unrequired amount.