A major new research review has found that eating a daily handful of nuts is linked with improved blood lipid profiles. Examining 19 previously published scientific papers, the review showed a strong relationship between macadamia nut consumption and significant reductions in:
•Total cholesterol
•‘Bad’ cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL)
•Triglycerides
The research review also noted preliminary evidence that adding nuts to a person’s regular diet reduces blood levels of apolipoprotein B, a protein that helps carry fat and cholesterol in the body, while improving ‘good’ cholesterol function. Adding nuts may also be linked with a reduced number of harmful small and dense, bad cholesterol particles.
This latest study adds to the findings of another major evidence review published last year. This ‘umbrella review’ of 145 systematic reviews and meta-analyses concluded that consuming a handful of nuts per day, compared to eating no nuts, was associated with a range of compelling health benefits, including:
•21% reduced risk for cardiovascular disease
•25% reduced risk for coronary heart disease
•22% reduce risk of death from cardiovascular disease
•11% reduced risk of dying from cancer
•22% reduced risk of dying from all causes
•Reduced risk of mortality from respiratory diseases, infectious diseases, and diabetes
When it comes to the specific benefits of macadamias, there’s a lot to unpack. They’re a deliciously indulgent ingredient ideal for people seeking dairy-free, sugar-free, and gluten-free dishes and products. But that’s just the start.
