Macadamia

Health Benefits of Macadamia Nuts

As a natural, whole food, macadamia nuts, specifically, contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals with significant health-boosting potential. They contain high amounts of vitamin B1 and magnesium, and just one serving nets 58 percent of what you need in manganese and 23 percent of the recommended daily value of thiamin.

Raw nuts contain a number of nutrients along with a healthy amount of monounsaturated fat. Macadamias, with their own unique nutritional profile, are relatively low in carbs and protein (containing two percent per one-ounce serving), high in oleic acid and omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid, the same fatty acid found in olive oil. In fact, of the 21 grams of fat found in macadamia nuts, only three grams are saturated fat.

There’s sometimes a disconnect in the understanding of which foods contain good fats (HDL) and which have the bad kind (LDL). According to the American Heart Association: 1

LDL cholesterol is considered the ‘bad’ cholesterol because it contributes to plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog arteries and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. If a (blood) clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery, heart attack or stroke can result. Another condition called peripheral artery disease can develop when plaque buildup narrows an artery supplying blood to the legs.

HDL cholesterol is considered ‘good’ cholesterol because it helps remove LDL cholesterol from the arteries. Experts believe HDL acts as a scavenger, carrying LDL cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is broken down and passed from the body. One-fourth to one-third of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. A healthy level of HDL cholesterol may also protect against heart attack and stroke, while low levels of HDL cholesterol have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease.”

When choosing fats that you should and should not eat, it’s important to note that it’s the type of fat that matters, not the amount. Not all saturated fatty acids are the same. If you eliminate them all, you’ll suffer serious health consequences. Healthy saturated fats are found in animal products like butter, cheese, whole milk, ice cream, and fatty meats. They’re also found in some tropical plants and vegetable oils such as coconut oil, palm, and palm kernel oil.

Then you have trans fats, which form when vegetable oil hardens, a process called hydrogenation. This can raise your LDL and lower HDL, which is not good for your health, especially your heart. Trans fats have a direct link to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, Mayo Clinic names nuts as one of the five foods that can protect your heart health by lowering your cholesterol. Just make sure they’re not coated with sugar or salt and that you keep the serving size to around 1.5 ounces.

Peanuts excluded, raw nuts like macadamias have been proven to help trim waistlines rather than pack on pounds. A review of 31 clinical and university trials showed that when people included extra nuts or nuts in their diets or substituted for other foods, over five weeks, they lost rather than gained about 1.4 pounds and half an inch from their waists. Although that may seem to be a small amount, over time it makes a difference.

So, if you're watching your weight, a handful of nuts like macadamias or almonds is a much a better snack choice than a bran muffin. With about 60 percent monounsaturated fat oleic acid – the same amount as in olives – they provide the highest amount of healthy fat while being on the low end of the carb spectrum.

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Studies Done on Macadamia Nuts

Clinical trials and studies demonstrated that the fatty acid profile of macadamia nuts beneficially affect serum lipids/lipoproteins, resulting in a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease.2

Additionally, a Journal of the American College of Nutrition study found that people who ate nuts benefitted in other ways, including:

• Lower systolic blood pressure

• Less likelihood of having two of the risk factors for metabolic syndrome: high blood pressure and low HDL (good) cholesterol (for nut consumers)

• Less likelihood of having four risk factors for metabolic syndrome: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high fasting glucose, and a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrom

Another reason why nuts are beneficial is that many of them, such as walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, almonds, cashews and peanuts, contain the amino acid l-arginine, which offers multiple vascular benefits to people with coronary heart disease. Nut consumption is also associated with a reduced incidence of diabetes in women, gallstones in both men and women, and beneficial effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular reactivity.3

It’s also important to note that macadamia nuts are toxic for dogs and can cause weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, tremors, and hyperthermia.4

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Healthy Macadamia Nut Recipe: Raw Macadamia Fudge

Ingredients:

1 cup raw macadamia nuts or 1/2 cup macadamia nut butter

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

1 Tbsp. honey

½ tsp. vanilla extract

¼ tsp. sea salt

Optional:

Unsweetened coconut

Raisins or other dried fruit

1 tsp. cacao powder

A few drops of lemon extract

Roasted instead of raw macadamia nuts

Substitute 2-3 tsp. of powdered stevia for the honey

1 large mango, peeled and pitted

Procedure:

1. If processing your macadamias (rather than using prepared macadamia nut butter), place them into your processor and grind to a paste consistency.

2. Add the remainder of the ingredients and continue processing until the mixture is creamy.

3. Use a rubber spatula to transfer the mixture to a square, parchment paper-lined baking dish (or just a dinner plate) and smooth the top until flat.

4. Place in the freezer for 30-60 minutes or until firm.

5. Cut into bite-sized squares and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Note: the squares melt quickly, so place them into a baggie and return to the freezer between servings.