Macadamia Nut Health Benefits

World's Finest Nuts--Heart-Friendly Snacks That Reduce Cholesterol

© Melody Rhodes

May 9, 2008
Macadamia Nuts, Sabine
Macadamia nuts contain beneficial nutrients that support human health. Eating macadamias also reduces cholesterol.

Macadamias are considered the world’s finest nut, a delicious snack food that garners high marks for flavor and crunchy texture. The story doesn’t end there, however. Macadamias are full of goodness.

Medical researchers and food scientists have been studying macadamia nuts. Macadamias are a tree nut and in recent years tree nuts such as hazelnuts, almonds, and pistachios, have received attention for their potential in relation to human health.

Nuts, in fact, are an important part of the Mediterranean Diet, a traditional eating pattern that has been recognized as a dietary model for reduction of risk factors for heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other serious health conditions. The Mediterranean Dietary Pyramid includes daily consumption of tree nuts such as macadamias.

Benefits of Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts provide a wide range of beneficial compounds. They are a high energy food, full of protein and fiber and loaded with other important nutrients that, in concert, impact favorably on human health.

Macadamia Nut Nutrition Information

  • Antioxidants
  • Fiber
  • Phytochemicals
  • Protein
  • Minerals
  • Monounsaturated fats
  • Vitamins

Macadamia Heart Health Benefits

  • One study demonstrated that macadamia nut consumption benefited 17 hypercholesterolemic men. Over a 4-week period, the men were given 40/90 g/d of macadamia nuts. At the end of the study, their total and LDL cholesterol levels had decreased by 3.0 and 5.3%. HDL had increased by 7.9%. The study supported the benefits of macadamia nuts as part of a healthful diet. (M.L. Garg, P. Rudra, R. Blake, R. Wills, 2003, Journal of Nutrition, 133:1060-3)
Macadamia Nut Oil Benefits

Macadamias contain natural oils. They are high in heart-friendly monounsaturated fat, which contains oleic fatty acid as well as paimitoleic fatty acid (also present in fish oils). Macadamias come in tops for containing the highest amount of monounsatarated fatty acids in a natural food.

Versatile Macadamia Nuts

Macadamias have a rich, buttery flavor that makes them unbeatable. They can be eaten raw or roasted, whole or chopped. The nuts are used in different menu items, ranging from macadamia nut coffee, to macadamia nut pesto to macadamia nut butter. Favorite snacks include chocolate covered macadamia nuts or white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.

Popular Macadamia Nut Recipes

  • Macadamia nut crusted chicken or halibut
  • Chocolate macadamia nut pie
  • Macadamia nut shortbread
  • Pineapple macadamia nut cake
  • Macadamia nut bread
  • Coconut macadamia nut cookies
  • Macadamia-chocolate biscotti

Macadamia nuts offer a winning combination: delicious nutty flavor and significant nutritional benefits. Truly, eating macadamias for health has never been easier.


The copyright of the article Macadamia Nut Health Benefits in Holistic Nutrition is owned by Melody Rhodes. Permission to republish Macadamia Nut Health Benefits in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Macadamia Nuts, Sabine
       


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Comments
Sep 16, 2008 8:38 PM
Guest :
Macadamia nuts have eliminated many colonic problems associated with my diveticulosis problem. It is evidently a stool softener and cleans out the colon by natural method extremely well. I found this out by when after eating quite a few, the weekly problems were almost eliminated.wcl
Sep 17, 2008 4:21 AM
Melody Rhodes :
It's interesting that when humans consume the right kind of fats, such as those found in nuts, the body can work to restore health.
Oct 7, 2008 2:19 PM
Guest :
From 96706:

I'm eating these right now!! YUMMY!!!
Oct 7, 2008 2:54 PM
Melody Rhodes :
Macaamias really are delicious. I include an assortment of nuts into many different recipes. They always adds flavor and texture.
Feb 26, 2009 2:14 PM
Guest :
A friend brought me 3 different flavors of macadamia nuts back from Hawaii, roasted salted, garlic onion and chili pepper. I didn't know they were ate that way. The Chili Pepper flavor is awesome!
Jul 11, 2009 9:58 AM
Guest :
Macadamia nuts always remind me of my trips to Hawaii. They serve them as a little appetizer at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. I always thought of them as a high fat high calorie bad for you food but this site has opened my eyes to the fact that they can be not only an incredibly delicious snack but also very healthy for you in moderation like anything else. I'm so happy to hear that! I think I will buy them more often than just once or twice a year now. You made my day!
6 Comments