Macadamia nuts are some of the most sought-after in the world, and it’s not hard to see why.
As well as being delicious, they are packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
As well as a food source, their husks can be used for fertiliser, the oil is used for a variety of products in the cosmetic industry, and the rest can be used as animal feed.
Indigenous to Australia, it wasn’t until the late 19th Century that the nut was grown outside of Queensland, when William H. Purvis brought the nut to Hawaii. Even then it was well into the 20th Century before an industry started to grow around this remarkable food.
But it’s not simply a tasty snack. There are surprising health benefits to the macadamia nut that add to a healthy lifestyle.
Heart health improves with monounsaturated oils
Our cold-pressed extra virgin macadamia nut oil contains one of the highest levels of monounsaturated fats amongst all food oils, and at 84%, is even higher than Olive Oil.
And while it may sound bad to have high levels of fat, it is the type of fat that matters. These types of fats (monounsaturated) actually help to lower the bad type of cholesterol (saturated).
This is great for heart health, because LDL cholesterol (the bad type) contributes to plaque in the arteries, and the HDL cholesterol (the good type), carries the LDL type back to the liver, where it is broken down and passed through the body.
This lowers your bad cholesterol and results in less chance of heart disease or stroke.
Macadamia nut oil gives great results for your skin
The great thing about using macadamia nut oil for your skin is it can be taken internally or topically for great results.
Each drop is rich in essential fatty acids, such as palmitoleic acid, which helps prevent premature aging, and Oleic Acid, which helps to prevent trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), making it perfect for moisturising dry, sensitive skin.
Macadamia nut oil is also high in phytosterols, which are the building blocks of our cellular membrane and structure. Phytosterols work the same way that cholesterol does in our skin, which is one of the reasons why macadamia nut oil is known to help repair the skin’s barrier function.
Healthy Hair is given an extra boost with macadamia nut oil
Hair follicles produce a natural sebum which contains palmitoleic, one of the aforementioned fatty acids. As we grow older, our body produces less and less of this substance, and as a result, our hair begins to lose its strength and shine.
As macadamia nut oil contains a high proportion of this omega-7 monounsaturated fat, it gives the hair an extra boost, either when ingested or rubbed into the hair directly.
Macadamia oil contains natural antioxidants
Macadamia oil is also very high in natural antioxidants and contains Omega 3 and Omega 6, which can have a powerful effect on the overall health of the body.
Antioxidants fight off free radicals, dangerous atoms in the body which have a spare electron and want to attach to something. They are dangerous because once they attach onto you, they can corrupt your DNA, causing cancer.
A healthy balance of antioxidants can reduce cancer risk, slow the ageing process and lessen the risk of vision loss due to cataracts and macular degeneration.
Macadamia nut oil is a great source of fibre to increase energy levels
Like most nuts, macadamia nuts are a reliable source of fibre and calories. Just a dozen nuts (30 grams) contain about 10 percent of your daily fibre needs.
Fibre is important in your daily diet because it not only aids digestion, but also slows the rate that sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Their high calorie content also gives a boost of energy “on the go”, perfect if you don’t have time to stop for a meal.
Only the best quality oils from Olivado
Olivado’s Extra Virgin Macadamia Nut Oil is made from high-quality nuts from Australia’s sunshine state, Queensland.
As well as its natural health benefits, the macadamia nut is the perfect oil to use with food. It has a buttery and delicate quality, and is perfect for high heat cooking (smoke point 210°C).
The high smoking point, combined with our unique cold-pressed extraction method, means when cooking with our macadamia nut oil, you are far less likely to burn off the beneficial fats.
You can buy our macadamia nut oil and discover our delicious range of cooking oils by clicking here, or contact us if you would like to know more about our oils and their health benefits.