Macadamia nuts nutritional value – healthy benifits

Todays world is fast, intense, chaotic at times, energy consuming, costly and everyone is looking everywhere for benefits. The drive and change in the worlds thinking to a more green and eco-friendly trend has scientists and people in general looking in a more in depth way at food and many other commodities and their effects on everyday life.

Macadamia nuts nutritional value has healthy benefits that are natural, eco-friendly, available and really enjoyable. Macadamia nuts are buttery, creamy, sweet and packed full of that nutty flavor, They are adored by many and a pleasure to consume raw, toasted or roasted in a pie or on ice creams.

Nutritional values and more

The Queen of nuts delivers an awesome array of natural assistance to the health and well-being of us humans, she delivers a well-balanced recipe of vitamins, minerals, fats, dietary fiber, proteins and she is cholesterol free. She is an energy booster with 3080 kj in a 100 grm serving to help us in our ever busy life of rushing kids to school on time, getting to the office, handing in reports and back home in time to make dinner.

It is well known that children and some adults are reluctant and sometimes difficult when it comes to taking medication. We have macadamia nuts that are almost a medic pack in a nut shell.

Let’s take a look at what’s in the nut shell shall we.

Nutritional values of macadamia nuts
Per 100grm serving ( 10-15 whole nuts )
Calories	718
TOTAL Fats	76g	117%
Saturated fat	12g
Polyunsaturated fats	1.5g
Monounsaturated fats	59g
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	5mg	0%
TOTAL Carbohydrate	14g	4%
Dietary fiber	9g	36%
Sugar	4.6g
Protein	8g	16%
VITAMINS	MG
Thiamine B1	1.195
Riboflavin B2	0.162
Niacin B3	2.473
Pantothenic acid B5	0.76
Vitamin B6	0.76
Folate B9	11	micro grams
Vitamin C	1.2
Vitamin E	0.54
MINERALS	MG
Calcium	85
Iron	3.69
Magnesium	130
Manganese	4.1
Phosphorous	188
Potassium	368
Zinc	1.3

 

What does this mean ?

So what does all this scientific jargon mean to you and me ?

Macadamia is one of the few food sources that contain palmitoleic acid, this type of monounsaturated fatty acid may speed up fat metabolism therefore reducing the bodies’ ability to store fat. Monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid and polmitoleic acid assist in lowering cholesterol in the blood which in turn helps prevent heart related diseases, strokes and creates healthier blood. The high potency of the potassium and the low sodium keeps our blood pressure in check and normal. Iron and copper aid in making red blood cells reducing anemia cases and atherosclerosis

Flavonoids turn into antioxidants protecting the bodies’ cells from free radicals which cause certain types of cancer.

Palmitoleic acid aids in nerve and brain cell protection, oleic acid, vitamin B1, manganese, copper and magnesium develop healthy neurotransmitters. Healthier brain cells help to prevent Alzheimer disease and keeps us sharp.

Omega 6 fatty acids and oleic acid play an important role in inflammation reduction and has the potential to reduce arthritis.

Vitamin B1 together with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids maintain healthy eyes better vision.

Phosphorous, manganese, magnesium and zinc help in bone mineralization and help in the transporting and absorption of nutrients by the body.

Soluble and insoluble dietary fiber assists in toxin removal from the body and relieves constipation.

Macadamia nuts are free of gluten and cholesterol.

Then there is the excellent macadamia oil.

Macadamia nut oil

. Macadamia nut oil is clear to slightly amber in color and retains a slightly nutty flavor, as macadamia nuts are quite strong in their flavor.

Fatty Acid Content

The fatty acid composition of macadamia nut oil makes it extremely valuable as a vegetable oil for frying or cooking; it is composed of nearly 60% oleic acid, as well as significant levels of palmitoleic acid and smaller amounts of linoleic acid. Although many people consider fats to be bad across the board, the truth of the matter is that we need certain monounsaturated fats to balance our cholesterol levels and ensure that our bodies’ run smoothly. Macadamia nut oil is available in many places around the world, although it isn’t as popular as other alternative vegetable oils.

Heart health

Macadamia nut oil boasts a high content of beneficial fatty acids that make it better than many other oils, even the sacred olive oil that so many people praise! Triglycerides are essentially fat in the blood, which can be very dangerous for your heart, as it can clog the arteries, raising your chances of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. The high oleic acid content in macadamia nut oil (even higher than olive oil) makes it important for re balancing your cholesterol levels and actually reducing the levels of triglycerides in the blood. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are the most commonly discussed fats, and ideally, our bodies’ would have an even balance. Macadamia nut oil basically has this balance, making it optimal for the human body as a source of these fats.

Energy levels

Although the benefits to heart health and cholesterol balance are clear, macadamia nuts also feature an extremely high number of calories, which can represent a quick boost of energy to the body, something which the oil can also provide. However, you should be careful with the dose of macadamia nuts and macadamia nut oil while consuming, as it can quickly translate into weight gain and obesity, which comes with its own long list of health risks.

Antioxidant Potential

Research has revealed that macadamia nut oil contains a high level of antioxidants, including tocotrienols, which can have a powerful effect on the overall health of the body. Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals, the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism that can cause a wide range of chronic diseases, including cancer, apoptosis, and cell mutation. The high antioxidant content in macadamia nut oil makes it a potent addition to your immune system and can help to clean out your entire system.

Eye Health

Some antioxidants in macadamia nut oil have been linked to boosting eye health, namely by preventing macular degeneration and slowing the development of cataracts. This is achieved through the same free-radical-neutralizing process as the other antioxidant effects of macadamia nut oil.

Skin Care

One of the antioxidants in macadamia nut oil, squalene, is rare and has a particularly strong impact on our skin. Squalene is a naturally occurring antioxidant in our body, but adding more through macadamia nut oil can help reduce oxidative stress on the body’s fats and the skin, helping to prevent wrinkles, age spots, slow healing rates, and other signs of aging.

Shaving and Moisturizing

Although this is similar to the aforementioned benefits for the skin, macadamia nut oil can be a wonderful way to moisturize the skin on a daily basis, particularly for men who regularly shave. Rather than using traditional shaving oils, the smooth, anti-inflammatory nature of macadamia nut oil can help soothe the skin and moisturize it at the same time, leaving smoother and healthier skin behind.

Hair and Lip Health

The rich acid content of macadamia nut oil also makes it beneficial for your hair; mixing it into natural shampoos can help increase the shine and health of your hair, and strengthen the follicles in their beds, reducing hair loss. You can also make natural lip balm with macadamia nut oil and beeswax to significantly boost the appearance and health of your lips; the rapid healing properties help chapped lips very quickly and reduce any inflammation in sores or wounds.

Retains Healthy Fats

Although this isn’t a definitive health benefit, macadamia nut oil has a higher smoke point than other vegetable oils, like olive oil. Therefore, when you’re cooking with macadamia nut oil, you are far less likely to burn off the beneficial fats, which are the main reason why you are using the oil in the first place. This will also help retain the flavor of the oil, which is pleasant and beneficial to many meals, particularly when used as a salad oil.

Uses

• Macadamia nut oil is used in culinary applications (typically as a frying oil),
• It is also used in certain cosmetics for the hair and skin.
• The composition of the acid makes it very stable, which is why it is so highly praised in cosmetic applications.

Word of Caution: As mentioned earlier, having a high level of fats in the body, even beneficial ones, can lead to weight gain, and considering that many people will associate macadamia nut oil with the nuts themselves (which have a shocking 718 calories per 100 grams), they may indulge and see some weight gain as a result. Also, macadamia nut oil has been known to cause constipation in limited cases. Finally, for those who suffer from nut allergies, the extracted oils don’t always cause allergic reactions, but in some cases, a similar allergic reaction can occur. Consult a medical professional before making any major changes to your diet, health supplement regimen, or cooking style.