Almonds tend to steal the spotlight when it comes to healthy snacks, but people cannot deny the deliciousness of macadamia nuts. While they originated in Australia, most of the world’s supply is currently grown in the Hawaiian Islands. Macadamia nuts are filled to the brim with various nutrients, but they get cancelled out when you eat them in chocolates, cookies, or other processed sugary goods. It is optimal to enjoy them raw in order to absorb their health benefits.
Macadamia nuts have not always been viewed as beneficial, due to the high fat content. About 78-86 percent of that fat is monounsaturated, which is beneficial for your heart because it helps to lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of stroke. One of the our favorite facts about macadamia nuts is that they are one of the only foods sources that contain palmitoleic acid. This monounsaturated fatty acid actually accelerates fat metabolism, ultimately reducing the body’s ability to store fat. Check out some of the other health benefits below.
Supports Gut Health
Macadamia nuts are rich in both insoluble and soluble fiber, helping you to feel full while simultaneously aiding with toxin removal from the body. They are also high in copper, which helps the body efficiently use iron and supports the healthy reactions of enzymes.
Boosts Brain Health
Macadamia nuts contain magnesium, manganese, vitamin B1, and copper, all of which assist in generating healthy neurotransmitters. These are chemicals that brain cells require to send signals to the brain. Additionally, macadamia nuts are high in omega-9s, which work to improve memory, boost mood, and fight off neurological diseases.
Beneficial For Heart Health
A study conducted at the University of Hawaii in the year 2000 compared three diets: the Standard American Diet, a “heart-healthy” diet recommended by the American Heart Association, and a diet where fat only came from macadamia nuts. The study lasted one month and results showed that people who only received fat from macadamia nuts had lower cholesterol levels and a decreased amount of triglycerides, without any weight gain.
Strengthens Bones
Bone and teeth mineralization require phosphorus, manganese, and magnesium, and macadamia nuts are rich in all three of these nutrients. While calcium helps to build healthy teeth and bones, manganese works to deposit new bone tissues where necessary during the aging process. Additionally, the manganese in macadamia nuts works to fight kidney disease!
Reduces Inflammation
Consuming too many omega-6 fatty acids can increase chronic inflammation, and inflammation can be the root cause of conditions like arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and more. While most nuts have more omega-6s than omega-3s, macadamia nuts are lower in omega-6s, which actually helps prevent inflammation. This doesn’t give you an excuse to chow down on a giant bowl of macadamia nuts, but you can enjoy one cup for a snack.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
