Macadamia Nuts Help Fight Heart Disease

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Macadamia Nuts Help Fight Heart Disease

Although numerous studies have linked consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids (particularly those derived from olive oil) with decreased incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer, few if any research investigations have addressed whether these benefits confer to other foods high in monounsaturated fatty acids.

Monounsaturated fatty acids can be found in relative abundance in the macadamia nut; 75% of its weight is fat, with nearly 80% of that fat being monounsaturated. This study investigated the effect of a diet high in macadamia nuts on serum lipid levels in 30 volunteers aged 18-53. Subjects consumed three specific diets in random order: a "typical American diet" with 37% of energy derived from fat; an American Heart Association (AHA) Step 1 diet (30% energy from fat); and a macadamia-nut based diet, with 37% of energy derived from primarily monounsaturated fat.

Serum total cholesterol, high and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were measured at baseline and after completion of each diet phase (30 days for each phase). Results showed that total cholesterol levels after one month on the diets were lower with the macadamia-nut diet and the AHA diet compared with the typical American diet. High and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were also significantly lower in the macadamia nut group and the AHA group compared with the standard diet group. No significant side effects were noted from ingesting large amounts of macadamia nuts. The authors suggest: "Physicians can recommend the consumption of these and other nuts as part of a satisfying and healthy diet.

Curb JD, Wergowske G, Dobbs JC, et al. Serum lipid effects of a high monounsaturated fat diet based on macadamia nuts. Archives of Internal Medicine 2000:160, pp1154-58.