Welcome back people to the What Supp Blog. Your one stop shop for everything optimisation. So today’s topic is a personal fave on the snack front, the old macadamia nut. Aside from being pretty damn tasty, it’s also a keto supremeo and healthy on many a level.
Macadamia is a genus of four species of trees indigenous to Australia, and constituting part of the plant family Proteaceae. Although native to Oz, you’ll also find them in tropical climates with volcanic soil such as , Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, New Zealand and South Africa.
Nutritional Profile
The humble macadamia nut actually turns out to be quite the nutrient filled powerhouse. Check the below stats:
Amount Per 100 grams
Calories 718
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 76 g 116%
Saturated fat 12 g 60%
Polyunsaturated fat 1.5 g
Monounsaturated fat 59 g
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Sodium 5 mg 0%
Potassium 368 mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 14 g 4%
Dietary fiber 9 g 36%
Sugar 4.6 g
Protein 8 g 16%
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 2%
Calcium 8% Iron 20%
Vitamin D 0% Vitamin B-6 15%
Cobalamin 0% Magnesium 32%
*Per cent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Macadamia nuts have a super healthy content. They contain fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals with significant health-boosting potential.
As well as those noted in the above table, macadamia nuts are also a source of vitamin A, iron, vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin). They contain small amounts of selenium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. So just a 1-ounce serving nets 58% of what you need in manganese and 22% of the recommended daily value of thiamine.
As can be seen, the micro nutrient content of macadamias is pretty good. Macadamia nuts are good sources of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. As well as being important electrolytes, these three minerals help prevent bone demineralisation whilst the phosphorus in the nuts promotes mineralisation of teeth.
Macadamia nuts also play an important role in your gut health. They contain both soluble and insoluble fibre, which flush toxins out of the body and also aid digestion. The nuts are particularly rich in copper that supports the enzymatic reactions that improve digestive health.
Macros
Macadamias are relatively low in carbs and protein, containing 7.9 g protein, 8.6 g fiber, 13.8 g carbohydrate, and 75.8 g lipids per 100 grams. Regarding their protein content, macadamias have all of the essential amino acids. Glutamic acid, aspartic acid, arginine, phenylalanine, and leucine are the ones present in the highest concentrations however.
Macadamias are also a good source of carbohydrates like sucrose, fructose, glucose, maltose, and some starch-based carbohydrates.
Macadamia nuts are without doubt little fat bombs with their own unique nutritional profile. The high fat content of macadamias might be a tad off putting for some. However, between 78-86% of the fat is ‘healthy fat’. Macadamias are high in oleic acid and omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acid, the same fatty acid found in olive oil. In fact, of the 21 grams of fat found in macadamia nuts, only 3 grams are saturated fat.
The macadamia nut is in fact one of the only food sources that contain palmitoleic acid, a type of omega-7 monounsaturated fatty acid that may speed up fat metabolism, thus reducing the body’s ability to store fat.
Monounsaturated fat can help lower cholesterol and decreases your risk of heart disease and stroke by making platelets less sticky and less likely to form clots in blood vessels. In addition to helping your body reduce cholesterol though, macadamias themselves are 100 % cholesterol free.
Brain Health
Macadamia nuts could have a significant role in the health of inside your swede. The oleic fatty acid helps keep the blood pressure low and prevents stroke, thereby preserving brain health. Another acid in the nuts is palmitoleic acid, which also is an important component of myelin (myelin is a fatty layer that protects nerve cells in the brain).
A few other nutrients in macadamia nuts; copper, vitamin B1, manganese, and magnesium, all aid the production of healthy neurotransmitters. Whilst omega-9, showing it’s not to be outdone, helps improve mood. The fatty acid can even enhance memory and prevent several neurological diseases. One study talks about the importance of omega-9 in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
Flavonoids
Another health benefit of macadamia nuts comes from their flavanoids (the same compounds that give red wine its healthful claim to fame). These flavanoids help lower blood pressure and protect against some forms of cancer.
Flavanoids are compounds naturally found in plants. They help repair damaged plant cells and protect the plant from environmental toxins. When we eat these plants, our bodies turn the flavanoids into antioxidants. Antioxidants mop up free radicals; destructive particles in the body that are formed from normal and essential metabolic processes, or from external sources such as exposure to environmental toxins.
Oil
Due to its high content of monounsaturated fat, macadamia nut oil is fast becoming a favourite addition for cooking oil choices. In addition, macadamia nut oil has a higher smoke point than olive oil, which means that it can be cooked at higher temperatures without breaking down and losing its flavour.
Aside from its stability to cook with, there are other health promoting reasons to choose macadamia nut oil. The monounsaturated fat content of macadamia nuts can help relieve inflammation, the root cause for many health issues including coronary heart disease. One study however has discussed the efficacy of macadamia nut oil specifically in treating inflammation.
This isn’t all that macadamia nut oil is good for. The essential fatty acids in macadamia nut oil play a role in skin health. 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, delaying the ageing process.
Lastly, it’s not to bad for your noggin either. Massaging your hair regularly with macadamia nut oil makes it shine, stimulates hair growth, and rebuilds hair elasticity.
Right, well hopefully you are sold on the macadamia nut! They are a perfect addition to not just low carb or keto diets but also any eating plan at all. Please like and comment, till next time.
Nutrition 4 Fighters 