Macadamias, which belong to the Proteacea family of plants are evergreen macadamia trees can reach 40 feet in horizontal as well as vertical spread.Macadamia is native to the East Coast rainforests of North Eastern parts of Australia. Several parts of mineral rich, tropical and subtropical areas of Australia, Hawaiian Islands, Middle Americas, Brazil and South African regions are favorite regions where these sweet and crunchy nuts grow in abundance.
Macadamia tree reaches to about 15 meters in height. In general, it achieves maturity and begins to produce fruit at around the age of seventh year of plantation.
There are at least about seven species of macadamia grown in their wild natural habitat. However, only two of which are edible and cultivated in the horticulture farms around the world. Macadamia integrifolia produces smooth-shelled nuts, whereas Macadamia tetraphylla has nuts with a rough shell.
During each summer, the tree bears elongated chains of attractive cream-white colored flower racemes, which subsequently develop into tough shelled, round to spherical shaped fruits with a conical tip. Depending upon the cultivar type its shell may possess smooth or rough outer surface. Each fruit features 0.5 to 1 inch in diameter consisting of husk enveloping around a single kernel. Inside, the edible kernel is white, has smooth buttery surface and sweet taste.
Macadamia USDA Nutritional Facts
Health Benefits Of Macadamia Nuts
Eating nuts on a regular basis has a positive effect on the health. These sweet, creamy, crunchy, and luxurious nuts are more often than not thought of as high fat indulgence rather than health food. But Macadamia contains a range of nutritious and health-promoting nutrients that make them an important part of our daily diet. A balanced diet containing macadamias promotes good health, longevity and a reduction in regenerative diseases.
Energy
Macadamia nuts have sweet taste and are rich source of energy. 100 g of nuts provide about 718 calorie/100 g, which is one of the highest calorific values among nuts.
Cholesterol-free
Macadamia nuts are 100% cholesterol-free and are highly beneficial to reduce cholesterol level. These nuts are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats which are said to be cardioprotective by reducing cholesterol level and help to clean the arteries. Macadamia also lowers the level of triglycerides, which is a kind of body fat and reduces the risk of coronary disease.
Antioxidants
Another health benefit of macadamia comes from their high flavonoid content. Flavonoids, which are found naturally in these plants help to prevent cells from damage and protects from environmental toxins. These flavonoids convert into antioxidants in our body. These antioxidants search and destroy free radicals and protect our bodies from various diseases and certain types of cancer, which include breast, cervical, lung, prostate, and stomach cancer.
For Weight Loss
People usually avoid eating macadamia thinking that it is laden with fats and cholesterol. However, the fat in macadamia is monounsaturated fats which promote weight loss. Macadamia nuts are rich in palmitoleic acid, and omega 7 fatty oil that provide building blocks for the enzymes and control the burning of fat and curb the appetite. Palmitoleic acid increases fat metabolism and reduces fat storage. Their fatty acids content makes them an extremely satisfying food, and you will need only a handful to feel satisfied.
Proteins
Macadamias contain a significant level of protein, which is an essential component of our diet and forms muscles and connective tissues in our bodies (5). Proteins are a part of our blood and act positively on our health. They also help to maintain the health of hair, nails and skin.
Dietary Fiber
Macadamias contains around 7% of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber comprises of complex carbohydrates and includes many types of soluble and insoluble fiber. Dietary fiber promotes satiety, provides roughage, aids digestion and assist in reducing constipation and several other diseases related to it.
Bone Health
Phosphorus in macadamia plays a variety of roles including bone and teeth mineralization, metabolism, absorption and transportation of nutrients. Calcium also helps in the formation of teeth and bones. Manganese in macadamia helps the body to deposit new bone tissue, so that the skeleton stays strong as you age. Omega 3 prevents osteoporosis and reduces the severity of arthritis.
Promotes Brain Health
Macadamia promotes the health of the nervous system. Copper in macadamia helps to make neurotransmitters, the chemicals which our brain cell uses to send chemical signals.
Promotes Brain Health
Macadamia promotes the health of the nervous system. Copper in macadamia helps to make neurotransmitters, the chemicals which our brain cell uses to send chemical signals.
Provides Oleic Acid
Macadamia nut oil is rich in oleic acid, which plays an important role in the reduction of inflammation and boosting of memory power. It also helps in lowering the symptoms of asthma and the levels of bad cholesterol in the body while increasing HDL (good cholesterol) levels. This fatty acid is also beneficial for skin health as it has superb moisturizing and regeneration properties.
Increases Nutrient Absorption Rate
As mentioned earlier, macadamia nut oil has high monounsaturated fatty acid content. These fatty acids are important for good health as they help in increasing the rate of absorption of nutrients, as well as fat-soluble vitamins in the body.
Boosts Bone, Cell, And Tissue Strength
Macadamia nut oil plays a vital role in keeping the bones, cells and tissues of the body strong. This is because of its richness in magnesium. This mineral also provides support to muscle and nerve functions and helps in stabilizing heart rhythm.
Provides Optimal Amount Of Omega Fatty Acids
According to experts, macadamia nut oil has just the right amount of essential omega fatty acids. It is important for your body to get an even amount of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids as an imbalance can cause health problems such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis, etc. Studies suggest that consumption of these nuts reduces LDL cholesterol levels considerably. Since these fats are not produced by the body, it is important to gain them through your diet.
Prevents TEWL
Another nutrient that macadamia nut oil is rich in is linoleic acid. This is a fatty acid that greatly benefits the skin. It can prevent TEWL, or trans-epidermal water loss, from the delicate tissues of the skin.
Absorbs Free Radicals
Macadamia nut oil contains antioxidants such as Squalene and Vitamin E. These antioxidants prevent damage that is caused to the body by the free radicals by absorbing them. Free radicals also have the ability to change DNA. The antioxidants in this oil help in neutralizing the free radicals and prevent life-threatening diseases such as breast, cervical, breast or prostate cancer. They also delay the signs of aging and boost overall health.
Provides Hydration
Many factors, including beauty treatments, hot showers, etc. deplete moisture from your hair and skin. To make sure they are healthy, you need to keep them well-hydrated. As mentioned earlier, your body naturally produces palmitoleic acid, but it rapidly gets depleted with age. The omega-7 that macadamia nut oil provides plays a huge role in replenishing palmitoleic acid in your body and keeps your skin and hair hydrated.
Skin And Hair Benefits
Delays Skin Aging
The benefits of macadamia nut oil for skin are surplus. Macadamia nut oil has a high content of palmitoleic fatty acids. This is a nutrient that has great skin benefits as it delays the process of cell and skin aging. Because palmitoleic acid gets depleted fast as skin ages, it is important to have this oil. This is one of the reasons why macadamia nut oil is a key ingredient in many anti-aging products.
Protects Skin And Hair
The antioxidant properties of macadamia nut oil do not only protect your body from free radicals, but also your skin and hair as well. Your skin and hair are also highly prone to the damage caused by free radicals. The antioxidants in this oil protect your skin and hair from such damage and ensure health from within. You get glowing, youthful skin and strong, lustrous hair.
Prevents Hair Breakage
Have you ever used macadamia nut oil for hair? According to experts, macadamia nut oil can keep hair from breaking. It penetrates hair follicles and the scalp and helps in the improvement of hair elasticity and strength. With so many biological and environmental factors that cause hair breakage, macadamia nut oil is an excellent oil to have to reverse the damage done to your hair.
Selection and storage
Macadamias are available in the market year-round. In stores, macadamia nuts in different kinds are displayed namely as shelled, unshelled, salted, roasted, sweetened, etc.
Buy whole “un-shelled” or “with-shell” nuts instead of processed ones. They generally available in airtight sealed packs as well as in bulk bins. Look for the nuts that feature healthy, compact and uniform in size and feel heavy in hand. The nuts should be devoid of cracks (other than natural split), cuts, mold, and spots and free of rancid smell.
Store unshelled macadamia nuts in cool, dry place where they stay fresh for several months. Shelled kernels, however, should be placed inside an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator to avoid them turn rancid.
Usage/ Cooking Tips
Macadamia nut oil can be used to cook a wide variety of delicious foods. It works very well as a salad dressing because it has an almost sweet and nutty flavor. It is also a wonderful oil for frying and baking. Macadamia nut oil tastes great with everything from fruits to cheese to veggies. There is no end to the things you can do with it!
Apart from cooking with macadamia nut oil, you can also use it topically and give your skin and hair all the benefits it has to offer. To condition your hair, use it warm and massage your hair and scalp with it. To keep your skin young and moisturized, you can use it on your body after your daily shower. You can also use this fantastic oil to treat damaged cuticles.
As you can see, using macadamia nut oil has loads of benefits for your body, skin and hair. Maybe you should think about replacing your other oils with this one, if you have not already!
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