Research shows that macadamia nuts may protect against both metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.įor instance, one recent review linked diets rich in tree nuts, including macadamia nuts, to reductions in fasting blood sugar levels.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors, including high blood sugar and cholesterol levels, that raise your risk of stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes ( 15). Reduce heart disease risk factors, such as high cholesterol and inflammation. This fat is consistently linked to better heart health and a lower risk of stroke and fatal heart attacks ( 10, 14). Researchers believe the heart benefits of macadamia nuts may come from their high monounsaturated fat content. Inflammation is a risk factor for heart disease ( 9). What’s more, eating 1.5–3 ounces (42–84 grams) of macadamia nuts each day may significantly reduce markers of inflammation, such as leukotriene B4. Interestingly, a small study in people with high cholesterol noted that a diet rich in macadamia nuts reduced levels of this blood marker as much as a heart-healthy, low-fat diet recommended by the American Heart Association ( 13). Various studies suggest that eating 0.3–1.5 ounces (8–42 grams) of these nuts daily can lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by up to 10% ( 2, 10, 11, 12). Macadamia nuts may lower your risk of heart disease.

Nutritional value of cashews