Macadamia nuts are tree nuts with a creamy texture and a mild flavour similar to butter. Although native to Australia, many tropical and subtropical areas now grow them. Macadamia nuts are rich in plant components that are helpful to health. This blog will discuss the multiple macadamia nuts benefits and how you can include them in your diet.
Nutritional Profile of Macadamia Nuts
One ounce (28 grams) of Macadamia nuts has following nutritional components:
- Calories: 204
- Fat: 23 grams
- Protein: 2 grams
- Carbs: 4 grams
- Fibre: 3 grams
- Manganese: 58% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin B6: 5% of the DV
- Magnesium: 9% of the DV
- Iron: 6% of the DV
Benefits of Macadamia Nuts
Let’s discuss how Macadamia nuts prove to be beneficial for your overall health:
- Boosts Brain Health
By offering omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin E, thiamine, copper, iron and other minerals that enhance cognitive function and prevent neurodegeneration, macadamia nuts may improve the health of your brain. L-arginine, an amino acid that may promote memory and learning and improve blood flow to the brain, is present in these nuts.
- Strengthens Bones
Macadamia nuts could help your bone health since they are good sources of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese, essential minerals for building and maintaining bones. These nuts also contain vitamin K, which is responsible for blood clotting and bone metabolism. A deficiency in vitamin K can increase your risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
- Improves Gut Health
Research has shown that macadamia nuts positively stimulate the growth of good bacteria in your intestines. Prebiotics, or fibres, help feed the probiotics, which also means they give energy to the ‘good’ bacteria in your gut. They aid in the digestion of your food and the production of valuable vitamins, and fight against harmful microorganisms in your intestines. Further, they affect your immunity, mood patterns and brain activity.
- Enhances Skin Health
Nuts such as macadamia nuts will provide essential fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins necessary for nourishing and protecting our skin cells. Macadamia nuts are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help maintain your skin’s moisture and elasticity and enhance barrier function. Vitamin E is also found in them, which prevents sun damage, wrinkles and inflammation.
- Prevents Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome is a combination of multiple risk factors that raise your possibility of having chronic diseases like diabetes, heart attack and stroke. Researchers have discovered that macadamia nuts can help reduce your risk of, or manage, metabolic syndrome by improving your blood sugar levels, blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and waist circumference.
- Supports Weight Loss
One of the macadamia nuts uses is that it will boost your weight loss process. High in both fibre and protein, Macadamia nuts can satisfy your appetite while providing energy to your body. They also contain palmitoleic acid, which might accelerate fat burning while reducing fat storage in your body. Furthermore, macadamia nuts may prevent weight gain by modulating the expression of genes involved in fat metabolism and inflammation.
- Improves Heart Health
Eating macadamia nuts could also lessen heart disease risks, e.g. by promoting desirable blood lipids and limiting inflammation. Omega-7 fatty acids are also present in macadamia nuts, making it impossible for plaque to accumulate in your arteries, which may consequently lead to lowered blood pressure. Additionally, macadamia nuts provide you with many essential minerals, including potassium, magnesium and calcium, which help maintain normal heart contraction and proper control of blood pressure.
- Loaded With Antioxidants
Unstable chemicals known as free radicals can harm cells and raise the risk of several illnesses, including diabetes, Alzheimer’s and heart disease. Macadamia nuts are high in antioxidants, essential for avoiding damage from free radicals. These nuts are rich in flavonoids and tocotrienols, two noteworthy antioxidants. Thus, because of their high antioxidant content, macadamia nuts provide an additional benefit.
Conclusion
Macadamia nuts offer both flavour and health value. Macadamia is a healthy nut that benefits our hearts, skin, brain and overall body metabolism. One can eat these nutritious nuts raw, roasted, salted or flavoured with chocolates. So, go ahead and take your pick!
