Back to knowledge libraryMacadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are small, round nuts that have a unique rich, buttery taste. They come from four species of trees, native to Australia.
What is the nutrient content of macadamia nuts?
A recommended serving size of macadamia nuts is 30g, which is about 12 whole nuts:
What are the health benefits of macadamia nuts?
1. Heart Health: Macadamia nuts are rich in monounsaturated fats, which are known to support heart health by lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels and improving overall lipid profiles in the body.
2. Antioxidants: Macadamia nuts contain flavonoids and other antioxidants that help protect the body from oxidative stress, which can contribute to chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
3. Weight Management: Despite their high-calorie content, macadamia nuts can be part of a healthy diet due to their satiating effect (the effect of “feeling full”),which may help with weight management
by reducing overall calorie intake.
Where can I find macadamia nuts?
Macadamia nuts can be eaten raw, as part of spreads (e.g. macadamia nut butter), in sweet snacks such as cereal bars and chocolates, and in breakfast cereals.
References:
Public Health England (2016). Government Dietary Recommendations. Available at:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a749f
ece5274a44083b82d8/government_dietary_recomme
ndations.pdf [Accessed 8 November 2024].
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, FoodData Central. Macadamia nuts. Available at:
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/
2342980/nutrients [Accessed 10 September 2024].
British Heart Foundation (2024). Are nuts good for you? Available at:
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-ma
tters-magazine/nutrition/are-nuts-good-for-you
[Accessed 10 September 2024].
Jones, J. L., Sabaté, J., Heskey, C., Oda, K., Miles, F., & Rajaram, S. (2023). Macadamia nut effects on cardiometabolic risk factors: a randomised trial. Journal of nutritional science, 12, e55.
https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2023.39 [Accessed 10 September 2024].
Woźniak, M., Waśkiewicz, A., & Ratajczak, I. (2022). The Content of Phenolic Compounds and Mineral Elements in Edible Nuts. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 27(14), 4326. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27144326
[Accessed 10 September 2024]
Written By:
Grace Williams, Head of Nutrition & Operations, myfood24.