Identification of species of macadamia nuts are detailed below.
Kingdom - Plantae
Family - Proteaceae
Division - Magnoliophyta
Genus - Macadamia
Class - Magnoliopsida
Species - integrifolia, tetraphylla
Order - Proteales
Macadamias are not just common edible nuts. They are not in the legume family but are in the proteaceae family. They have no cholesterol but even help lower it.
Regular consumption of 6-20 macadamia nuts per day is reported to help lower LDL, triglycerides and cholesterol levels as well as lower risks on heart diseases.
They have high dietary fibre and the natural oils in macadamias contain 78% of monounsaturated fats, the highest of any oil including olive oil and canola oil. Of the many benefits of macadamia nuts, the greatest is that they taste so good while being good for health.
Here are the standard nutritional values per 100 grams of macadamia nuts.
Energy 3,080 kj (747 kcal)
Fat 75 % (the premium macadamia nuts should have 72-78%)
Protein 9%
Carbohydrates 8%
Moisture 1.5%
Minerals 1.6%
Dietary Fibre 5.9%
Plus vitamins and phytonutrients (vitamins: A1, B1, B2, B3, E and folate)
Macadamias have beneficial minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium and potassium. Macadamias are not genetically modified but contain only natural genes and phytonutrients which act as anti-oxidants.
They also help reduce risks of cancer and boost immune system. Macadamias contain no trans-fatty acids. Their high content of monounsaturated oil contains oleic fatty acid and highest level of palmitoleic fatty acid which is present in beneficial fish oils.
