
Macadamia nut is the fruit of the macadamia tree, which reaches about 11 meters high. It is a hea t-loving tree. But it can grow in our environment whenever it is maintained at a minimum temperature of 1-0ºC. It is also cultivated as an ornamental plant that gives an exotic appearance to the garden and delights the view with its white flowers.
Macadamia nut is originally from Australia. But today it is available worldwide. The fruit is covered by a hard and round peel that hides a white almond. Macadamia nuts are not eaten raw; They are usually thermally treated before consuming them. They contain the greatest proportion of fat, but that fat is healthy, since it helps reduce bad fats (cholesterol).
High quality macadamia fat is used to produce an oil that is mainly used in cosmetics. It provides nutrition, brightness and beauty to skin, hair and nails.
Let’s see, what is the usefulness of the Macadamia nut, can pregnant women include this nutritious fruit in their diet?
Chemical and vitamin composition
Macadamia nuts are difficult to cultivate and process. The shell, very hard, is difficult to peel and the grains should be treated thermally before consuming them. These are the reasons for the high cost of this Australian fruit. Macadamia is considered the healthiest dry fruit. It has the highest percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids, which help reduce the risk of heart disease. It is also a rich source of important antioxidants, such as vitamin E and selenium. Nuts contain manganese and vitamin B1 (thiamine).
100 g of macadamia nuts contain up to 76 g of fat. But only 12 g are saturated fatty acids. The rest are mostly monounsaturated fats that favor the health of the circulatory and heart system.
On the other hand, the high fat content is associated with a high energy content. Therefore, when consuming Macadamia nuts during pregnancy, we must not exceed the quantity, especially when the calorie intake must be controlled.
Nutritional value (100 g):
- KJ – 2, 898
- Kcal – 690
- Proteins – 9 g; Carbohydrates – 13 g;
- Carbohydrates – 13 g;- Fiber – 10 g;
- fiber – 10 g; Fat – 76 g;
- Fat – 76 g;
- Water – 1 g.
The table shows the content of minerals and vitamins of the Macadamia nut.
Minerals | Vitamins | ||
Mineral | Content, mg | Vitamin | Content, mg |
Iron | 4,2 | В1 | 1,6 |
Zinc | 1,6 | В2 | 0. 45 |
Calcium | 93 | В3 | 2,9 |
Manganese | 4,9 | В6 | 0, 42 |
Magnesium | 141 | С | 1,6 |
Copper | 1,1 | Е | 0,9 |
Match | 195 | Folic acid | 0. 14 |
Selenium | 0. 039 | Pantothenic acid | 1,2 |
Potassium | 377 | ||
Sodium | 6,2 | ||
Omega 3 | 220 | ||
Omega-6 | 1350 |
The composition of macadamia oil is similar to that of olive oil. It consists of 58% of unsaturated fatty acids, which reduce cholesterol levels and improve blood flow through coronary arteries.
In cosmetics, this single cold pressed oil is mainly used for massages. It is an essential component of high quality massage mixtures. It has good regenerative effects, it favors the natural ability to hydrate the skin from the inside, thus helping to keep it flexible and elastic.
It also helps prevent stretch marks in pregnant women. After childbirth, it helps take care of the child’s skin. Macadamia oil is suitable for frying or preparing desserts.
Properties of Macadamia nuts for the body of a pregnant woman
Nuts contain many healthy fats (polyunsaturated fatty acids), vitamins and minerals, which are beneficial not only for pregnant women, but also for the fetus.
Macadamia nuts have an important ant i-inflammatory effect, especially important for the body during pregnancy. They contain magnesium, which prevents cramps and balances mental health.
It is also worth highlighting its high percentage of zinc, essential for enzymatic reactions. It is beneficial for the skin, nails, hair, the sexual libido increases, which can decrease during pregnancy.
With the regular consumption of macadamia nuts, the benefits for pregnant women are also high levels of vitamins B1, B6, E, proteins. The useful fruit contains fiber, essential for adequate digestion, prevention of constipation, a frequent occurrence during pregnancy.
Macadamia nuts are a natural source of vitamin C. Consequently, they help maintain a strong immune system. Macadamia fruits increase iron absorption in intestines.
Pregnant women are advised to suffer high cholesterol levels that consume these nuts regularly. They help reduce and maintain cholesterol levels, so they protect against hypertension, especially dangerous during pregnancy.
Vitamin E, which protects cells (a natural antioxidant), and folic acid are the following components, whose consumption is very important for the future mother. When consuming Macadamia nuts, make sure they don’t have mold or other strange substances. Choose bio quality fruit. It is advisable to consume 30-50 g of nuts a day. It is recommended to divide them into 3 portions (breakfast, food and dinner).
Benefit
Regularly consumed, Macadamia nuts are beneficial to health due to their high percentage of healthy fats. Other nutrients are also present in its composition. This potentially makes them an important part of the diet of pregnant women.
Heart disease
Macadamia nuts do not contain cholesterol, so they are beneficial to reduce LDL cholesterol levels. They are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats that provide cardioprotective effects (vascular cleaning). This healthy fruit also reduces triglycerid levels and, with it, the risk of coronary heart disease.
Content in antioxidants
The usefulness of nuts is also due to its flavonoid content. These help prevent cell damage and protect against environmental toxins. In the body flavonoids become antioxidants, which seek and eliminate free radicals, protect the organism from various diseases and even some types of cancer (breast, stomach, uterus neck, lung).
Protein content
These tasty nuts are characterized by a high percentage of proteins in their composition. Protein forms muscles and ligaments and is a component of blood. It has a general positive effect on health. Proteins also favor hair health, nails and skin.
Dietary fiber
Macadamia nuts contain about 7% fiber. Dietary fiber favors satiety, eliminates constipation and other digestive problems.
Bone health
The phosphorus present in nuts performs various functions in the body. Its most important functions are the mineralization of bones and teeth, metabolic support, absorption and transport of nutrients.
The following ingredient, calcium, contributes to the formation of teeth and bones in the child. The manganese of nuts helps the body to build new bone tissue for the bones to remain strong. The Omega-3, on the other hand, prevents osteoporosis and reduces the severity of arthritis.
Brain health
Macadamia nuts favor the proper functioning of the nervous system. Copper favors the creation of neurotransmitters, chemical substances necessary for brain cells (neurotransmitters serve to transmit chemical signals).
Oleic acid content
Macadamia oil helps reduce asthma and helps reduce LDL cholesterol (while increasing HDL good cholesterol). This product is rich in oleic acid. Reduces inflammation and improves memory. This fatty acid is also good for skin health, since it has excellent moisturizing and regenerating properties.
Improves absorption of nutrients
Fatty acids present in oil help improve the absorption of various nutrients in the body, especially fa t-soluble vitamins.
Help strengthen cells and tissues
Nuts play a vital role in maintaining the good condition and functioning of cells and tissues. Magnesium is responsible for this property. This mineral also favors muscle health, nervous function and stabilizes heart rate.
The benefits of Macadamia nuts for the health of pregnant women can be summarized at the following points:
- Immunity support.
- Cancer prevention.
- Nutrition and cell protection.
- Purification of the organism.
- Support digestion.
- Improve emptying.
- Eliminate flatulence.
- Antiseptic effects.
- Prevention of osteoporosis.
- Strengthen bone and joint tissues.
- Secure healthy and bright hair.
- Treatment of skin diseases.
- Soothing and support of the activity of the CNC.
- Antioxidant effect.
- Help to muscle strength.
- Support to heart muscle.
- Beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.
- Improve memory, concentration.
- Cholesterol reduction.
Ironically, the good fats that have earned the nuts of Macadamia the title of “superfood” can become dangerous to health. The Omega-3 and Omega-6 are polyunsaturated acids; They are prone to oxidation, rooting. Eat large amounts of low quality food overload the organism and the immune system, creating an environment favorable to inflammation.
The following potential damage is the risk of allergies. In recent years, the number of people with allergies has increased dramatically. The same goes for hypersensitivity.
The immune system of susceptible people recognizes the components of the products and the labels erroneously as harmful. A protective immune response is developed, which is often manifested with respiratory, digestive or skin symptoms.
The most serious allergy forms can cause an anaphylactic shock. This condition is associated with a massive inflammatory reaction of the immune system. This potentially mortal condition is manifested with difficulty breathing, palpitations, redness of the skin of the entire body and descent of blood pressure. Without treatment, shock quickly leads to unconsciousness and, in the worst case, death.
According to some scientists, pregnant women should also distrust Macadamia nuts.
But researchers recognize the need to perform more tests, since hereditary factors can also influence these cases. However, Dr. Saskia Willers, a member of the research team, points out the undeniable importance of a varied diet.”It is important that pregnant women eat healthy foods. But too much food, even healthy, is harmful,” he explains to the BBC.
Contraindications
Every future mother must follow a healthy and balanced diet. It is the only way to ensure that your body receives enough vitamins and minerals. The only contraindication to eat nuts is to be prone to food allergies. In this case, a healthy fruit can cause serious health problems and negatively affect the fetus. It is not advisable to try new types of nuts, it is better to consume known varieties.
How to keep Macadamia nuts
As Macadamia nuts contain a lot of fat, they must be properly kept to avoid rooting. The most important thing is to save them in a cool place. Conservation: Up to 6 months in the refrigerator in a closed container, up to 12 months in the freezer. Fresh grains have a creamy white color. If they begin to darken, it indicates that they are spoiled.
Consume nuts to the natural. It is better to buy them with peel and peel them just before eating them.