16 Nutrition and Health Benefits of Macadamia Nuts

What are Macadamia Nuts?

You may have read this name for the first time but you shall go searching for these shortly after you’ve read this article. Macadamia nuts are the fruits of macadamia tree. They’re also called Queensland nuts, bush nuts, maroochi nuts, Hawaii nuts, and bauple nuts. These nuts are principally found in regions of Australia and Hawaii.

Nutritional Content of Macadamia Nuts:

These nuts have become famous for a reason. The reason being its rich nutritional value. They are rich in Vitamin A, iron, protein, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folates. They also contain humble amounts of calcium, zinc, copper, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium. Not only this but Macadamia Nuts are rich in carbohydrates like sucrose, fructose, glucose, maltose and starch based Carbohydrates. To add to it, they contain antioxidants like polyphenols, amino acids, flavones and selenium. Phew! that’s indeed enough to make one qualify for a Magic Nut!

No point in knowing the nutritional value of your food until you can know how the nutrients can be put to use for better health of your body. Here’s a list of Health Benefits of Macadamia Nuts for you to know what exactly makes it a Magic Nut.

Health Benefits of Macadamia Nuts:

1. Promotes a Healthy Heart:

These contain monounsaturated fatty acids and thus prevent the blood platelets from sticking to one another. This ensures a healthy blood flow throughout your body. These nuts also reduce the blood pressure levels which may be due to potassium content of the nuts. It also reduces the cholesterol levels in your body which in turn means a healthy Heart.

2. Improves Blood Sugar Levels:

The varied combination of macro and micro nutrients along with bioactive compounds enable them to keep the glycemic levels in check thus improving the blood sugar levels in a person. These nuts also help to counter the ill effects of Diabetes.

3.  Macadamia Nuts Aid Weight Loss:

Macadamia nuts contain carbohydrates in very low amounts. They help aiding weight loss due to their fibrous content. These nuts contain fiber which helps in losing weight. They also keep your hunger pangs away for a long time by keeping you feel satiated for a considerable hour of the day.

4. Macadamia Nuts Improve Bone Health:

These Nuts contain calcium, magnesium and potassium which are the nutrients for prevention of bone demineralization. Bone demineralization means the reduction in bone density of a person. These nuts also contain very low level of sodium which itself is a plus point for healthy bones. They also contain phosphorous which helps in building healthy bones and healthy teeth.

5. Helps achieve a Healthy Gut:

Macadamia nuts contain both soluble and insoluble fiber which help in keeping your guts system hail and hearty! They also contain copper that support the enzymatic reactions in the stomach and improves digestion.

6. Boosts Healthy Fats:

The monounsaturated fats that we were discussing about above, are the healthy fats the body needs. These healthy fats have found a place in Macadamia Nuts. It also boosts HDL which is considered to be good cholesterol and reduces the levels of bad cholesterol which is LDL.

7. Macadamia Nuts relieve inflammation:

The consumption of macadamia nuts can relieve inflammation in your body. Inflammation is responsible for various diseases like coronary heart disease. They also contain antioxidants which cut down on inflammation levels.

 8. Improved Brain Functioning:

The presence of oleic acid is a remarkable feature of macadamia nuts. This is the same healthy fat found in olive oil. It keeps the blood pressure level in control and prevents stroke which keeps the brain healthy. Nutrients like Vitamin B1, magnesium, copper and manganese promote healthy neurotransmitters. essential fatty acids present in this nut enhances the memory of your brain and could be effective in preventing neurological disorders.

9. Helps in treating Anemia:

This nut is rich in iron content which naturally works to fix problems of low hemoglobin, namely anemia. Anemia is caused when the hemoglobin levels are reduced in the blood. This situation can be improvised by consuming the nutrient iron. Macadamia nut is a rich source of iron and thus does wonders in this field. Check out other Iron Rich foods to fix your low hemoglobin level.

10. Macadamia Nuts Boost Energy:

The energy levels spurt on consumption of macadamia nuts. This can be attributed to the presence of complex carbohydrates in this magical nut.

11. Boosts Metabolism:

The monounsaturated fatty acids also accelerate the rate of metabolism. They help a quick digestion of fats which boosts metabolism.

12. Relieves Stress:

We already read that Macadamia Nuts are a source of antioxidants. The antioxidants prevent oxidative stress in your body. This is because antioxidants fight free radicals, high levels of which can lead to oxidative stress and an increased risk of disease.

13. Macadamia Nuts Improve Skin Health:

These nuts are rich in Vitamin E. This nutrient is what you exactly need for a brightening skin tone and a healthy skin. The palmitoleic acid in the nuts is another essential fatty acid that hydrates the skin, promotes skin healing, and supports the health of cell membranes.

14. Contains Anti-Ageing Properties:

There is some amount of palmitoleic acid naturally occurring on our skin – which diminishes with age. Application of this nut oil can replenish the skin with the essential acid.The palmitoleic acid also helps delay skin aging. It prevents the early onset of the signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots. Not only its consumption but also the application of this nut on your skin can give an instant, youthful glow to your skin.

15. Strengthens Hair:

Nobody wants to become bald no matter the age of the person. For strong and beautiful hair, you may use these nuts. The palmitoleic acid in macadamia nuts nourish the scalp. They increase the blood flow through the roots of the hair which enables the hair to become unbreakable and strong. The nut oil also prevents hair breakage by penetrating the scalp and improving the strength of the hair follicles. The oil also controls frizz.

16. Reduces Arthritis Symptoms:

Inflammation of muscles is the main cause of arthritis which is characterized by pain in the joints of hands and legs. Inflammation is also responsible for various fatal diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Macadamia Nuts have been instrumental in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Omega-6 fatty acids present in macadamia nuts provide the support needed for improvement in the patient’s condition suffering with arthritis.

I’m sure you cannot wait to buy these nuts and have them at the earliest. With all these nutrients and health benefits, who would want to wait and think before picking them up from the market? The joy of consuming these nuts is for sure doubled after knowing the innumerable health benefits it can provide. Remember to consume them in limited quantities, excess of nothing is beneficial. Moderation is the key to good health.

Shabnam Vandeliwala


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