The Health Benefits of Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts have the most fat and calories of any nut. Most people reading this will naturally assume they’d be a bad choice for people wanting to eat a healthy diet, but they couldn’t be more wrong! Macadamias are absolutely stacked with all kind of excellent nutrients that make them a very welcome and worthy addition to healthy eating plans.
Macadamia nuts are native to Australia, and come in four similar varieties. They’re more than three-quarters fat, and contain a whopping 718 calories per 100g. However, these are particularly healthy fats, with all sorts of beneficial results on human health.
So what exactly are the health benefits of Macadamias, and why should we be eating them regularly?
Macadamias are over 75% fat, and 80% of this is monounsaturated. Macadamia oil has way more monounsaturates than olive oil, and these are extremely beneficial for your body, as they help develop and maintain your cells, and contribute to lowering your bad (LDL) cholesterol levels. This medical report showed it can significantly lower the risk factors associated with clogged arteries, heart disease and stroke.
These delicious and nutritious nuts contain a good amount of flavonoids, which are plant compounds in the polyphenol family. They are great antioxidants, and reduce the harmful effects of oxidative stress on the cells of the body, leading to a lower risk from several serious health conditions, including cancer.
Macadamias also contain high levels of tocotrienols, a group of chemicals that are part of the Vitamin E family. Evidence from research suggests they may help fight free radical damage to the human gastrointestinal system, and target specific sources of inflammation in a way that plain Vitamin E doesn’t. This reduces the risk of bowel cancer as well as several other conditions.
Excellent for metabolic syndrome
Roughly a third of us suffer from metabolic syndrome, which is an umbrella term used for a group of health conditions which can be dangerous in the long term. These include excess belly fat, high cholesterol, raised blood pressure and high blood sugar. Monounsaturated fatty acids, such as those found in macadamia nuts, help improve the function of your blood vessels, improve insulin levels and lower your risk of heart disease. A report from 2016 showed that a diet high in these healthy fats can reduce metabolic risk factors in patients with diabetes.
Macadamia nuts are a high satiety food, meaning eating them makes you feel fuller for longer. For this reason, they’re fabulous used as a tool for weight loss, despite their high calories. Their fibre and protein content means they pass more slowly through the gut and will help stave off hunger pangs. Also, the fat takes longer to digest, so your stomach won’t be rumbling and demanding more food for a while after a handful of macadamias!
These nuts contain a good amount of Omega 7 fatty acids, which help prevent oxidative damage to the cells of your skin, keeping it supple, soft and radiant.
It’s well-known that the oil made from pressing macadamia nuts has an anti-ageing effect that makes it ideal for skin care. Most people find their skin tolerates macadamia oil well, and the squalene and oleic acid content makes it particularly useful for dry or chapped skin, as it assists with cell regeneration as it softens and moisturises.
The Omega 6 linoleic acid creates a natural barrier when applied to the skin, and it even has a mild sunscreen effect!
The soluble fibre present in macadamia nuts can act as a prebiotic, helping your gut bacteria function effectively to protect you from a range of serious conditions such as Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. When the prebiotic fibre is fermented by gut bacteria, short chain fatty acids are produced which are very beneficial to the gut lining of the gut, and play a role in the production of serotonin as well as helping with weight management, appetite and blood sugar levels.
We have a tantalising range of Macadamias – whole nuts, pieces (both organic and conventional), nut butter and a large selection of macadamia products – come and peruse our nutty delights here!