What are the health benefits of macadamia nuts?
Macadamia is the most expensive nut in the world. Its high cost is due to the plant’s demanding growing conditions. It grows only in warm, humid climates, is often affected by pests and diseases, and bears fruit only in the 10th year of life - gardeners have to make a lot of effort to obtain a harvest.
Despite all the difficulties in care, macadamia enjoys stable popularity all over the world, as it is also one of the healthiest nuts. It is used in medicine, cosmetology and cooking.
What is macadamia nut and where does it grow?
Macadamia is a tree with a height of 2 to 15 m. It has green, dense, elongated leaves with smooth edges. The fruits of the plant are nuts. One tree, 10 years after planting, produces an average of 100 kg of nuts and bears fruit every season.
Macadamia nuts are almost perfectly round in shape with an elongated tip on one side. Unripe fruits have a dark green leathery shell; when ripe, it acquires a light brown tint and a glossy sheen and hardens. Under the thick shell is a cream-colored kernel with a brown film on top. It has a crumbly structure and a sweetish nutty-vanilla taste.
Australia is considered the historical homeland of the nut. The country exports from 400 to 700 thousand tons per year. The tree is also grown in Brazil, the USA, South Africa, New Zealand, and Hawaii.
The plant takes root in any country with a tropical and subtropical climate.It requires heat, sunlight and humidity.
Macadamia is considered one of the most expensive foods in the world. The minimum price for 1 kg is $30.
This is interesting! In our country, it is possible to grow trees in greenhouses and winter gardens. In the summer in the southern regions it is taken outside. Macadamia is not able to survive winter cold snaps.
Composition and calorie content of nuts
Macadamia nuts have high nutritional value. There are 720 kcal per 100 g of product.
Despite the high calorie content, eating nuts promotes weight loss, as they contain fats that are easily excreted from the body.
BJU macadamia:
- proteins – 7.9 g;
- carbohydrates – 5.2 g;
- fats – 75.8 g.
The valuable nut contains many substances beneficial to the human body:
- vitamins: A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, C, PP, E;
- macro- and microelements: phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, selenium, sodium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese;
- vegetable fibers;
- fatty acids: omega-3 and omega-6.
The product does not contain harmful cholesterol. This makes it especially safe for people with atherosclerosis and other diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Beneficial properties for the body
Macadamia is the healthiest nut of all. It has a positive effect on almost all processes occurring in the body. Improves the condition of internal organs, skin and hair.
Benefits of macadamia nuts:
- strengthen vascular walls and remove cholesterol from the body - this reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes, thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, atherosclerosis;
- reduce blood pressure - with regular use they treat hypertension;
- have an analgesic effect - eliminate migraines and headaches;
- prevent the development and slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease;
- strengthen the musculoskeletal system, improve the condition of teeth, reduce the risk of developing rickets;
- have a positive effect on brain activity and improve the condition of the nervous system, eliminate depression, improve mood, relieve insomnia, improve memory;
- cleanse the body of waste, toxins, free radicals, heavy metals;
- improve liver condition, prevent cholelithiasis and urolithiasis;
- have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and hair, slow down the aging process;
- increase endurance and tone the body;
- help restore the vitamin and mineral balance in the body, eliminate anemia;
- increase cell sensitivity to insulin, reduce blood sugar levels;
- accelerate metabolic processes;
- improve the condition of the endocrine system, normalize hormonal levels;
- strengthen the immune system, activate immune processes.
Nuts have a beneficial effect on all systems and organs and on health in general when consumed regularly. They are included in many folk recipes and some pharmaceutical products.
What is useful for women
Macadamia is especially beneficial for women. The product helps prevent the occurrence of problems characteristic of the female body.
The benefits and harms of macadamia nuts for the female body:
- reduces the severity of pain during menstruation, relieves spasms and has an analgesic effect, reduces the severity of PMS;
- helps with menopause, reduces the frequency of hot flashes and reduces the severity of symptoms;
- normalizes hormonal levels, helps in the treatment of thyroid diseases;
- relieves inflammation, helps in the treatment of cystitis and diseases of the female reproductive organs;
- slows down the aging of the body if consumed regularly.
Macadamia is an indispensable product in the beauty industry. It improves the condition of the skin, nails and hair, promotes weight loss, and reduces the severity of cellulite.
Benefits for men
Macadamia nuts are also beneficial for men. The product helps combat the most common problems:
- prevents the development of impotence, improves potency with regular use;
- increases libido;
- improves the condition of the prostate gland;
- strengthens the genitourinary system.
Recommended for use by athletes. The product increases endurance and quality of training.
Uses of Australian macadamia nut
Royal macadamia nuts are used in many fields. It is used in cooking, cosmetology, and medicine. The product helps with weight loss.
Not only nut kernels are used. Macadamia shells and oil have a healing effect.
In folk medicine
Macadamia nuts help fight health problems. Their use is recommended for:
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- disorders of the liver and pancreas;
- menopause;
- atherosclerosis;
- hypertension;
- decreased bone density, increased risk of fractures;
- hormonal imbalances;
- diseases of the thyroid gland;
- vitamin deficiency;
- depression;
- deterioration of memory and mental activity;
- chronic fatigue;
- decreased potency;
- prostate diseases;
- flatulence;
- dysbacteriosis;
- diabetes mellitus;
- diseases of the female reproductive organs;
- infertility;
- recovery after operations and infectious diseases.
Macadamia is an addition to the main treatment, and not the only medicine. It is used to treat the described diseases after consultation with a doctor.
Folk remedies are prepared from the product:
- Tincture for cleansing the body: 20 nut kernels are crushed with a knife, poured with boiling water and left for a day. Take 100 ml before meals 3 times a day for a week.
- Paste to strengthen the immune system: 100 g of macadamia, 1 lemon, 100 g of prunes and dried apricots, twisted in a meat grinder. Add 2 tbsp to the mixture. l. honey and place in the refrigerator. Eat 2 tbsp. l. 1 time per day after meals for a month.
In cosmetology
The product helps solve cosmetic problems. Oil and nut kernels have the following effects:
- face – smoothes fine wrinkles, nourishes, eliminates age spots and freckles, restores firmness and elasticity, prevents the appearance of wrinkles, protects from ultraviolet radiation;
- hair – strengthens hair follicles, stops hair loss, reduces oily scalp, improves hair structure, accelerates growth;
- body – improves blood circulation, smoothes skin texture, eliminates inflammation of subcutaneous tissue, removes cellulite;
- skin - accelerates regeneration, relieves inflammation, makes scars less noticeable.
In cosmetology, nut oil is used for external use. We offer several recipes.
For nourishment and shine of hair
1 tbsp. l. green tea is poured into a glass of boiling water. In 20 minutes. take 4 tbsp. l. the resulting drink. Add 2 tbsp to tea. l. macadamia oil and 1 tbsp. l. avocado oils. The composition is thoroughly mixed, rubbed into the scalp and distributed throughout the hair.
The head is wrapped in film and left in this form for an hour. Then wash off with shampoo. The procedure is repeated twice a month.
Mask against dry skin
4 tbsp. l macadamia oil mixed with 1 tsp. honey The mixture is applied to the skin of the face and hands and left for 20 minutes.Then wash off without using soap and wipe your face with a paper napkin. If you add 1 tsp to the mixture. lemon juice, you will get a mask to remove age spots.
For an even and beautiful tan, rub pure macadamia oil into the skin.
How to use for weight loss
To get rid of excess weight, nut kernels are consumed as part of the diet. Of course, if you eat a few nuts, then kilograms of excess weight will not go away in a day. The product helps fight fat deposits with proper nutrition and sufficient physical activity.
Macadamia has the following effects on weight loss:
- normalizes metabolism, promotes increased calorie consumption at rest, accelerates the resorption of fat deposits;
- contains fatty acids, the deficiency of which creates a desire to eat fatty foods or fast carbohydrates - when consuming macadamia nuts, the lack of beneficial acids is compensated, so it is easier for someone losing weight to follow a diet;
- helps eliminate the chronic inflammatory process, which is considered the cause of cellulite;
- improves mood - this reduces a person’s need to consume sweet foods;
- restores intestinal microflora.
Macadamia nuts, like other nuts, are eaten for breakfast or as a snack. It is recommended to eat no more than 50 g of nuts per day.
Cooking
The nut is also used in cooking. Dishes containing this product can be found in restaurants. It is used in the following recipes:
- Dessert – the nut is combined with chocolate and vanilla, sprinkled on cakes, cookies and ice cream;
- salads – any salad will become tastier and healthier if you sprinkle it with chopped macadamia nuts (one nut is enough per serving);
- meat dishes – the product is used to decorate or stuff meat.
Nuts are consumed raw or roasted. Uncooked macadamia contains more nutrients.
Contraindications and possible harm
The Australian macadamia nut has not only beneficial properties, but also contraindications. These include:
- nut allergy;
- liver diseases;
- stomach ulcer.
When consumed in reasonable quantities, macadamia nuts bring only benefits. It will cause harm only if there are contraindications or if it is consumed in excessive quantities. The percentage of fat in the product is high, and if you eat too much of it, problems with the pancreas will arise and extra pounds will appear.
Note! Macadamia nuts are good for humans, but dangerous for dogs.
How to store and where to buy macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are not sold in regular supermarkets. The nut is ordered online and bought in health food and exotic food stores.
In the shell in a dry, dark place, the product can be stored for up to a year. Clean it immediately before use, splitting it in the seam area.
The peeled nut can be stored for no more than 3 months, provided that it is in vacuum packaging. Opened packages are placed in the refrigerator and eaten within a month.
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Conclusion
Macadamia is an incredibly healthy nut. It is considered one of the most expensive products in the world. You can’t buy it everywhere in our country. The Australian nut is rich in vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. It is used in cooking, medicine and cosmetology.