August 5, 2008 – Introducing macadamia nuts into his diet as a replacement for foods high in saturated fatty acids would lower his cholesterol level. This is the conclusion of a study1.2 conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Twenty-five healthy people with moderate hypercholesterolemia participated in the five-week clinical trial. A first group had to consume each day a meal rich in macadamia nuts (42.5 g) according to the recommendations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The second group was to eat a meal corresponding to the average American diet.
Meals in both groups were equivalent in protein, calories, carbohydrate, and total fat. The “macadamia nut” diet, however, was richer in monounsaturated fatty acids and lower in saturated fatty acids.
While maintaining their weight, participants in the first group saw an almost 10% drop in their total and LDL cholesterol – “bad cholesterol” – compared to participants in the second group.
According to the researchers, the observed reduction in cholesterol levels corresponds to an approximately 17% decrease in the risk of a heart attack. These results confirm those of other studies examining the beneficial effects of nuts (almonds, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts) on the cardiovascular system.
Charles Désy – PasseportSanté.net
1. Griel AE, Cao Y, and al. A macadamia nut-rich diet reduces total and LDL-cholesterol in mildly hypercholesterolemic men and women, Journal of Nutrition, 2008 Apr; 138 (4): 761-7.
2. One of the six authors of the article now works for The Hershey Company, a private company which also funded the study.
