The health benefits of cashews center on their excellent nutritional value. Cashew nuts have a lower fat content and a higher protein and carbohydrate content than most other nuts. The fat that they do contain is mostly (65 percent) derived from oleic acid, a monounsaturated oil with known benefits in protecting against heart disease and cancer. Although cashew nuts are lower in vitamin E and calcium than most nuts, they are a good source of protein, magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc.