Chances are high that you're missing out on macadamia nuts. These creamy, rounded nuts have a pleasant flavor, blend well in a variety of dishes, and offer some significant health advantages.
Despite their health advantages and taste, macadamia nuts are frequently overlooked.
This is largely due to the fact that macadamia nuts are less common (and more expensive) in the United States, with Hawaii having the majority of commercial growers. In addition to growing in parts of Latin America, Asia, and Africa, the macadamia tree is a native of Australia.
Why Should You Go Nuts Over Macadamia Nuts?
You must already know that nuts provide a variety of health advantages. They help control appetite and are packed with beneficial fats.
Here’s a list of benefits offered by these nuts that will persuade you to munch on them:
1. They Are Loaded with Nutrients
Macadamia nuts provide vitamins, minerals, and protein much like other nuts do. But they also contain a huge amount of good plant-based fat.
The long-held misconception that all fat is bad is simple to believe. When consumed in place of saturated fats, these nuts are a great source of unsaturated fats, which have been associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
2. They Are Good for Heart Health
The heart might benefit from eating macadamia nuts. It has been shown that these nuts could reduce blood cholesterol levels as they are high in palmitoleic acid.
This may assist in lowering levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), triglycerides, and fibrinogen while perhaps raising HDL levels (good cholesterol). The risk factors for heart disease can decrease as a result of these benefits. This in turn can aid in maintaining heart health.
3. They Improve Skin Appearance
According to research, the omega-7 fatty acids in macadamia nuts may help to maintain healthy skin, nails, and hair.
This is achieved by preventing oxidative damage, one of the main causes of skin aging, by promoting and inciting the growth of new skin cells.
According to some research, the body's ability to produce the proteins elastin and collagen, which keep your skin firm and youthful and delay the development and onset of wrinkles, may be improved by this rare fatty acid.
This uncommon fatty acid may enhance the body's production of the proteins elastin and collagen, which help keep your skin youthful and strong and delay the development and onset of wrinkles.
4. They Help Your Bones Get Stronger
Additionally, these nuts include calcium, magnesium, and potassium, three nutrients crucial for strong bones. They also include phosphorus, which encourages the mineralization of bones and teeth.
5. They Improve Cognitive Functions
In general, nuts are beneficial for the brain as they lower the risk of stroke. In particular, oleic acid and palmitoleic acid are found in macadamia nuts, which may help avoid strokes.
The fatty acid palmitoleic acid is crucial for the health of the brain because it is required to create myelin, the fatty layer that surrounds the nerve cells in the brain.
Additionally, this fatty acid may enhance your memory and shield you from neurological conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Check out the best foods to boost your brain and memory.
Conclusion
The benefits of macadamia nuts extend to the entire body. The nuts are abundant in "healthy" monounsaturated fats, which decrease inflammatory cytokines to lessen inflammation. Additionally, certain body parts can benefit from healthy fats found in macadamia nuts.
Vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and good fats are abundant in macadamia nuts, making them a good addition to your diet.