These nuts, originally from Australia, are incredibly delicious, but people often avoid them because of their hefty price tag. And that's a pity. With this short introduction to these amazing nuts, we hope to entice you into buying something that will definitely do your body good. It’s better to buy a smaller bag of macadamia nuts instead of a pound of roasted peanuts.
WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?
Apart from South Africa and Australia, the largest producers of macadamia nuts are Brazil, the United States, Costa Rica, Israel, Kenya, China, Bolivia, New Zealand and Malawi. Lifefood macadamia nuts come from the heart of black Africa: Kenya. They are produced in superior ORGANIC quality and are also mechanically peeled, which ensures that they are RAW, like everything we produce and sell.
FANTASTIC NUTRIENT CONTENT
Macadamia nuts contain many beneficial substances, but they are particularly high in a couple of important vitamins and minerals. For example, by consuming 100g of macadamia nuts your body can look forward to large doses of vitamin B1 (104% RDA), vitamin B6 (21%), manganese (195%), magnesium (37%), iron (28%) or phosphorus (27%). As for the macronutrients in macadamia nuts, they are approximately 76% fat, 14% carbohydrates (of which 9% is dietary fiber!) and 8% protein.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF MACADEMIA NUTS
1) Disease prevention
The combination of healthy fats, dietary fiber and antioxidants makes macadamia an indispensable weapon in disease prevention. Antioxidants prevent cell damage caused by free radicals and thus protect us from disease. It should be noted that free radicals also form during regular physiological processes in the body (for instance during the Krebs cycle, a process that creates ATP – usable chemical energy for our body) and that stress can also come in many different forms.
Stress is not only psychological ("I can't manage everything today") or chemical (a reaction to a highly processed diet, or smoking), but also physical (any strenuous physical activity is essentially a form of stress) or environmental (pollution, light pollution or electromagnetic radiation). The goal then is to try and balance out the free radicals by having enough antioxidants, some of which the body creates by itself, but which can be added externally, for instance by regular consumption of healthy nuts, such as macadamia nuts – making them very desirable!
TIP Recipe:
Macadamia Nut Cheese with Sundried Tomatoes
Special occasion deserves a special recipe - and here it is! Beautiful on every table when dining or having party. The combination of macadamia nuts and dried tomatoes is full of surprises! Give it a try!
2) Anti-inflammatory properties - magnesium fights inflammation
Inflammation is associated with diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer or heart disease and much more. Regular consumption of nuts has been shown to reduce inflammation.
In macadamia nuts, it is magnesium that is the main nutrient responsible for fighting inflammation. Insufficient magnesium levels, along with low levels of vitamin D, are among the most frequently mentioned mineral & vitamin deficiencies that affect people in the Western world. Magnesium not only plays a significant role in reducing chronic inflammation, but it is also essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. It is also necessary for preventing blood clotting (heart infarction and strokes). Our sleep quality is also highly affected by magnesium.
Research conducted by the University of South Australia states, among other things, the fact that regular consumption of nuts is especially important for patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, helping to improve their blood sugar levels and regulating fat metabolism.
3) Supporting brain function
Like other nuts, macadamia nuts contain a large amount of fat, making up approx. 72-76% of their content. These fats are made up of mostly monounsaturated fatty acids. Palmitoleic acid, which is an omega-7 fatty acid, is very remarkable when it comes to brain health. It is a major component of myelin, the protective sheath of neurons. By taking it regularly, you will help protect your brain health and prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as senile dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
The other two nutrients found in macadamia nuts, vitamin B1 (thiamine) and copper, also help boost brain function. Sufficient vitamin B1 is needed to convert carbohydrates into energy (ATP production) and copper acts in synergy with iron – helping with iron absorption, thus making sure the brain is well oxygenated.
4) Keeping the heart healthy
Regular consumption of nuts reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease progression by 26%. This has been a long-known fact. Even the American Heart Association, which opposes the consumption of high-fat foods, has published an article stating that regular consumption of nuts significantly reduces the risk of premature death, especially for those who consume nuts eight times a week or more!
5) Bone health support
The content of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in nuts, such as macadamia nuts, makes them indispensable in preventing bone demineralization. Are you at an age where you are at risk of developing osteopenia (thinning of the bones)? Then buy a bag of macadamia nuts and go for a walk – the nuts will give you energy and the minerals will help strengthen your bones.
Did you know that macadamia nuts...
- are originally from Australia, specifically New South Wales and Queensland?
- were first discovered and described as late as 1828?
- are toxic to dogs?
Resources:
Healthful new oil from macadamia nuts
Fatting the brain: a brief of recent research
Thiamine supplementation mood and cognitive functioning
Halth Benefits of Nut Consumption
Nut Consumption is Inversely Associated with Mortality in a Mediterranean Population
Nut consumption on all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality risk
Magnesium deficiency and increased inflammation
Benefits of Nut Consumption on Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Risk Factors
.
