What the evidence says. Early or small human trials; promising but not yet conclusive.
Nutrition per serving 1 oz (28 g, ~11 kernels)
Sugars1.3 g5%
Fibre2.4 g9%
Other carbs0.2 g1%
Protein2.2 g8%
Fat21.5 g78%
What's in one serving, by weight — average composition (USDA).One serving as % of the adult daily requirement (FDA Daily Values). The bold outer ring = 100% of a day's needs.
Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) is a nut or seed used for may modestly lower total and ldl cholesterol when substituted for saturated-fat foods. NutriDex grades the human evidence as Preliminary. Macadamias are one of the richest dietary sources of monounsaturated fat, giving them a fatty-acid profile resembling olive oil. Direct human evidence is limited and preliminary, resting on a few small controlled-feeding and crossover trials. A 2008 randomized controlled-feeding study in mildly hypercholesterolemic adults (Griel et al.) found a macadamia-rich diet significantly lowered total and LDL cholesterol versus a typical American diet. A larger 2023 crossover RCT in adults with abdominal obesity (Jones et al.) showed only small, non-significant reductions in total and LDL cholesterol, with greater lowering in leaner participants and no weight gain despite the added calories. Macadamias are not separately studied for hard cardiovascular events, diabetes, or mortality; benefits are inferred from broader tree-nut research. Meta-analyses of tree nuts overall (Del Gobbo 2015) show consistent LDL lowering, and large cohort meta-analyses (Aune 2016) link nut intake to lower cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Evidence for macadamias specifically remains modest.
Purported Benefits
✓May modestly lower total and LDL cholesterol when substituted for saturated-fat foods
✓Very high in monounsaturated fat, like olive oil's fatty-acid profile
✓Does not promote weight gain when eaten in place of other calories
✓Part of the broader tree-nut pattern linked to lower cardiovascular risk
✓Provides fiber, magnesium and vitamin E within a whole-food matrix
Dosing & Compounds
Typical Dose
About 1 oz (28-43 g) per day, a small handful (~10-15 kernels)
Active Compounds
Monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic and palmitoleic acid)Dietary fiberMagnesiumVitamin E (tocotrienols/tocopherols)PhytosterolsManganeseThiaminePolyphenols
Safety & Cautions
⚠
Tree nuts including macadamia can trigger IgE-mediated allergy and, in sensitized individuals, life-threatening anaphylaxis; people with tree-nut or peanut allergy should avoid them. Macadamias are very calorie-dense (~200 kcal per 28 g), so portions should replace other foods rather than add to total intake. Whole nuts are a choking hazard for young children. Macadamias are also notably toxic to dogs and should be kept away from pets. Educational only — always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining Macadamia with any medicine.
Macadamia is most often taken for May modestly lower total and LDL cholesterol when substituted for saturated-fat foods, Very high in monounsaturated fat, like olive oil's fatty-acid profile, Lipid benefit appears greater in leaner / overweight (vs obese) individuals, Does not promote weight gain when eaten in place of other calories. High-MUFA tree nut with modest, mostly favorable lipid effects
Does Macadamia work — what does the evidence say?
Preliminary evidence. Early or small human trials; promising but not yet conclusive. Macadamias are one of the richest dietary sources of monounsaturated fat, giving them a fatty-acid profile resembling olive oil. Direct human evidence is limited and preliminary, resting on a few small controlled-feeding and crossover trials. A 2008 randomized controlled-feeding study in mildly hypercholesterolemic adults (Griel et al.) found a macadamia-rich diet significantly lowered total and LDL cholesterol versus a typical American diet. A larger 2023 crossover RCT in adults with abdominal obesity (Jones et al.) showed only small, non-significant reductions in total and LDL cholesterol, with greater lowering in leaner participants and no weight gain despite the added calories. Macadamias are not separately studied for hard cardiovascular events, diabetes, or mortality; benefits are inferred from broader tree-nut research. Meta-analyses of tree nuts overall (Del Gobbo 2015) show consistent LDL lowering, and large cohort meta-analyses (Aune 2016) link nut intake to lower cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Evidence for macadamias specifically remains modest.
What is the typical dose of Macadamia?
About 1 oz (28-43 g) per day, a small handful (~10-15 kernels)
Is Macadamia safe? Any cautions or side effects?
Tree nuts including macadamia can trigger IgE-mediated allergy and, in sensitized individuals, life-threatening anaphylaxis; people with tree-nut or peanut allergy should avoid them. Macadamias are very calorie-dense (~200 kcal per 28 g), so portions should replace other foods rather than add to total intake. Whole nuts are a choking hazard for young children. Macadamias are also notably toxic to dogs and should be kept away from pets.
How many studies support Macadamia?
NutriDex cites 10 sources for Macadamia, graded "Preliminary".
Cite this page
APA
Peh, D. (2026). Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects & Evidence. NutriDex — The Supplement Research Compendium. Retrieved 16 Sept 2026, from https://nutridex.info/s/macadamia
BibTeX
@misc{nutridex_macadamia,
author = {Peh, Daryl},
title = {Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects \& Evidence},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {NutriDex --- The Supplement Research Compendium},
url = {https://nutridex.info/s/macadamia},
note = {Reviewed by Dr Daryl Peh, MBBS Singapore, MMed FM. Accessed 2026-09-16}
}
For medical claims, citing the underlying primary studies linked above is preferred. NutriDex is an educational reference, not medical advice.