The homeland of macadamia is Australia's wet forests; the plant was brought to Hawaii in 1881, where it was used for commercial purposes. The import of improved varieties of walnut to California from the Hawaiian Islands began around 1950.
Macadamia is a plant of the Proteacea family, an evergreen treegrows well in mild climates with high rainfall and no frosts. Let's see what benefits and harm can cause the fruits of this plant for the human body.
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About fruits
Macadamia nuts have a very hard seed coat, enclosed in a green husk, which cracks when ripe. Inside the nut is a white core, containing up to 80% butter and up to 4% sugar.
Calorie walnut: 718 cal.
When processed at high temperatures, the fruit acquires a uniform color and texture. Although M. tetraphylla has a rough shell, its seed coat is smooth, and in some varieties, on the contrary, rough.
It is one of the most sought after nuts in the world, which is why they are so expensive. The demand for this plant spawned the development of industrial production in the warm regions of South Africa and Central America.where trees still thrive if there is enough water.
Macadamia oil used in the cosmetics industry for the production of soaps, shampoos and sunscreens. Waste used as animal feed. Also, the nut itself is used in cooking in baking, in salads.
Useful properties of Macadamia for human health
Treats the heart
The content of healthy fats in the fruit of macadamia is high. They help keep the arteries of the circulatory system in good condition. Monounsaturated fatty acids help lower cholesterol and reduce triglycerides in the body.
American scientists have shown that those who eat this product have significantly reduced cholesterol levels in the blood and increased the efficiency of the heart muscle.
Supports the immune system
Macadamia contains flavonoids that help prevent toxins from entering the body from the environment. Once these beneficial substances - flavonoids get inside, they turn into antioxidants.
Antioxidants work in the body as free radical scavengers. Finding such, they destroy them. It protects a person from diseases.
Research conducted at the University of Jean Mayer by the USDA on aging has found that “the consumption of nuts in some way reduces the incidence not only of cardiovascular diseases, but also the occurrence of cancer.
As it turned out, in combination with nutrients macadamia fruits contain phenolic acids, flavonoids and stilbenes that help provide the body with useful antioxidants. That is why nuts - including macadamia - are among the best anti-cancer foods that can be consumed.
Helps to lose weight
The high content of healthy fats, in the composition of nuts, helps reduce appetite. But this is not the main thing, the nuts of this plant contain palmitoleic acid.
Palmitoleic acid has the ability to increase the metabolism of fats, that is, reduces their accumulation. Macadamia fruits are harmoniously balanced in terms of the amount of nutrients, which helps a person in the process of metabolism.
In addition, macadamia nuts contain beneficial alimentary fiberthat can help a person get enough on a diet.
Supports intestinal microflora
In its composition, the fruit contains both soluble and insoluble dietary fibers that help remove toxins from the body and assist the intestines.
And complex carbohydrates, such as lignans, hemicellulose, amylopectins help to get rid, in general, of digestive problems.
Strengthens bones
Fruit pulp is rich in phosphorus, manganese and magnesium. - all substances necessary for bones, teeth, and trouble-free transportation and absorption of nutrients into the blood.
Calcium is known to help in the formation of bone tissue, while manganese is the main body of a new bone. If the body maintains the presence of these substances, the musculoskeletal system will remain strong, even in old age. Another important fact is that with kidney disease, the body's ability to absorb calcium and manganese decreases significantly.
Improves brain and nervous system activity
Contained in the fruit copper, vitamins B1, magnesium and manganese help strengthen neurotransmitters, which are important chemicals. They send signals to the brain. Macadamia nuts are also composed of oleic acidprotecting nerve cells in the brain. From this it must be concluded that this product contributes to the healthy functioning of the nervous system.
In addition, the fruit contains omega-9. This substance benefits brain activity in many areas.
First, omega-9 can improve mood. This substance contributes to the development of memory and prevents neurological diseases.
Memory performance has been investigated by many scientists, some of whom have found that erucic acid can serve as a therapeutic tool for the treatment of diseases associated with cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. This means that a person eating foods with omega-9 not only maintains a good mental state, but also protects the cognitive functions of the brain.
Reduces chronic inflammation and arthritis symptoms
Such a substance is known as omega-6contained in most nuts: Almonds - 3.4 grams, cashews - 2.2 grams, macadamia - 0.36 grams. With an excess of it in the body, increasing chronic inflammation in the body. And it is inflammation that causes most diseases, such as arthritis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and others.
Unlike other nuts, macadamia predominates instead of omega-6. omega-3, which is an additional remedy for the initial stage of rheumatoid arthritis. The substance omega-6, contained in the product in small quantities, does not lead to negative consequences.
Harm restrictions on the use of walnut
There are no contraindications. Macadamia nuts can be eaten even for pregnant women.. Scientists have shown that children whose mothers often consumed nuts during pregnancy less often had an allergy to this product. The only people who should not abuse the fruits of macadamia are diabetics.
Folk recipes
The easiest and most useful recipe:
- 1 tablespoon chopped macadamia nuts
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- a few drops of lemon juice
Eat in the morning, one tablespoon per day.
Face Scrub Recipe:
- 2 tablespoons of heavy cream or sour cream
- 2 teaspoons of nuts
Light massage movements apply this mass to the face. Massaged for 4 minutesand then left for the same period. Wash off with warm clean water.
Moisturizing face mask:
- ground macadamia nut powder - 1 tbsp.
- Honey - 1 tbsp.
- lemon juice - 1 tsp
Fighting cellulite:
- 1 spoon of macadamia oil
- 10 drops of geranium oil
- 10 drops m. Rosemary
- 10 drops of m. Lemongrass
All ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Keep in a cool, dark place. Rub into problem areas in wet skin, daily for a month.
Total
The richness of vitamins, beneficial fatty acids makes macadamia fruits a very useful food product. Its high price (approximately 700 rubles per 100 grams) pays for itself with numerous useful properties.:
- relieving fatigue
- vitality support
- positive effect on the nervous, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal systems
- relieves migraines
- accelerates the scarring of wounds and burns
- rejuvenates skin
- reduces the risk of cancer
- destroys body fat
- is a strong antioxidant
- relieves cellulite, varicose veins, rosacea, etc.
Despite the calorie content, This product is recommended to use to lose weight.. This is due to the fibers that cleanse the intestines, accelerate the processes of digestion and normalize metabolism.