Nothing Like A Macadamia For Heart

Newcastle Herald

Monday November 12, 2001

UNIVERSITY of Newcastle researchers are going nuts over the latest findings into the health benefits of macadamias.

Advanced Food Technology and Nutrition Centre director Manohar Garg said recent research had found eating macadamia nuts reduced the risk of heart disease and lowered cholesterol.

`Not only do macadamias lower levels of bad cholesterol but they increase the levels of good cholesterol, giving a double benefit,' Dr Garg said.

`Eating macadamia nuts also reduces antioxidant stress and provides protection against blood clotting, which is a major problem in heart attacks and strokes.'

The research involved a group of volunteers aged between 20 and 30 who all had high cholesterol levels above 6.2.