Macadamia nut, also known as Queensland nut or maroochi nut or bauple nut is an edible, nutritious and delicious fruit of macadamia tree and very popular for its profound therapeutic advantages.

Nutritional profile

• It contains desirable amount of carbohydrates and dietary fibres
• It contains protein as well
• It is a good source of fat and contains both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in a well ratio. It is absolutely free from cholesterol
• It contains various vitamins and especially rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B9
• It also contains several important trace elements, which include calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, zinc, iron and magnesium
• It is packed with numerous imperative phytonutrients that help to exert its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities

Biological property

Antioxidant activity

• Its flavonoid and micronutrients contents are considered as the principal compounds that exert antioxidant activity
• It helps to neutralize free radicals and reduces the prevalence of free radical induced oxidative damages within body
• It also helps to promote cellular functions by preventing cellular damages as it helps to provide appropriate protection to every cell from oxidation
• It helps to reduce oxidative stress as well
• Its consumption is extremely beneficial for protecting the body from developing chronic diseases

Anti-inflammatory activity

• Alpha-linoleic acid compound of macadamia nut is an important component responsible for preventing inflammation
• It also helps to decrease the concentration of inflammatory markers within body that ultimately delays the onset of inflammatory events hence decreases the susceptibility of developing chronic inflammatory diseases

Anti-carcinogenic activity

• Flavonoids and tocotrienols components of the nut is considered as the main anti-carcinogenic substances that help to reduce the prevalence of carcinoma
• It is also associated with destroying cancerous cells by regulating cellular proliferation and apoptosis

Health benefits

Role on digestive health

• It helps to promote digestion. It contains significant amount of copper, which is responsible for supporting various enzymatic reactions that ultimately helps to digest food easily
• It also act as an imperative prebiotic, which helps to promote the growth and functionality of intestinal beneficial bacteria that promotes gut health
• Its fibre content is also accountable for increasing bowel movement that makes the defecation process smooth and easy thus prevents constipation
• It helps to improve colonic health as well and reduces the risk of developing diverticular disease (colonic pouch formation)

• It also helps to protect the gastrointestinal tract from oxidative and inflammatory damages, which helps to lessen the risk of developing various gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis etc

Role on nervous system

• Consumption of macadamia nut is extremely useful for promoting the development and activity of central and peripheral nervous system
• Palmitoleic acid present in macadamia nut plays significant role in the synthesis of myelin that helps to provide protection to neuron and also helps in the quick transduction of nervous stimulus
• Its omega-9 component is accountable for improving mood thus its consumption is very useful for preventing depression
• It also helps to enhance memory
• Its consumption is very effective for decreasing the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzhiemer’s disease, parkinson’s disease etc
• Its Vitamin E content also plays vital role in protecting the nerve cells from the effect of glutamate thus delays the onset of various neurodegenerative events

Role on skeletal health

• Its calcium, potassium and magnesium contents are considered as the principal components, which are responsible for promoting the growth and development of skeletal system
• It helps to mineralize bones and thus enhances bone mineral density
• It is also related with improving bone mass and decreases the prevalence of bone fractures

• Its consumption is very useful for improving the symptoms of osteoporosis

Role on weight management

• Palmitoleic acid and MUFA contents of macadamia nut play significant role in reducing the risk of weight gain
• It is related with reducing the size of fat cells within body
• Its fibre content plays imperative role in reducing body weight as it is associated with reducing appetite by providing a feeling of stomach fullness hence decreases over eating, which helps to decrease the risk of gaining weight
• It contains adequate amount of unsaturated fatty acid that plays crucial role in decreasing the concentration of LDL, VLDL and triglyceride within body thus helps to prevent hypercholesterolemia
• It helps to prevent fat deposition within body parts hence its consumption is very beneficial for decreasing the concentration of visceral fat throughout the body
• It especially helps to prevent abdominal fat deposition

Role on preventing metabolic syndrome

• Metabolic syndrome is defined as a group of conditions, which are responsible for increasing the risk of developing cardio vascular disease, hyperglycemia and obesity
• Macadamia nut plays crucial role in reducing the risk of developing metabolic syndrome as it helps in the proper metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fat by promoting their metabolic reactions within body

Role on skin

• It plays significant role in promoting skin health
• Its antioxidant components are accountable for protecting the skin from oxidative damages thus reduces the risk of developing dermal disorders
• It helps to prevent ageing as well
• Squalane and tocotrienol components of the nut also help to protect the skin from sunlight induced oxidative damages
• Fat components of the nut help to prevent dehydration of skin and also promote healing process
• It helps to improve skin glow as well
• Its consumption is very effective for treating wrinkles, acne and age spots

Therapeutic advantages

• It is extensively used for promoting cardiac health
• It helps to decrease hypertension as well
• Individual who consume macadamia nut have lesser risk of developing heart attacks or strokes
• As it is related with decreasing the concentration of lipid within body hence its consumption is extremely helpful for maintaining a healthy lipid profile
• It helps to decrease the risk of developing atherosclerosis as well and also reduces the prevalence of coronary artery disease
• It also plays significant role in decreasing blood sugar concentration hence its consumption is very beneficial for reducing the glycemic load. It is very effective for improving the symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus

General consideration of using Macadamia Nuts

• Macadamia nuts are available in markets in various forms like salted or sweetened or shelled or unshelled but it is better to select those macadamia nuts, which are free from any additives or salts or sweeteners
• It is better to store macadamia nut in a dark and cool region
• It should be kept in an air tight container, inside the refrigerator

Risk factors

• Though it is a nutritious nut and can be a part of healthy diet but while consuming macadamia nut it should be kept in mind that it has also some side effects, which can develop if it is consumed in large amount and can adversely affect the health
• As they are calorie dense hence its excessive consumption may lead to obesity
• Roasting the nut at a high temperature can decrease their nutrient contents
• People with nut allergy should avoid it

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