Completed project
The effect of macadamia nuts on cardiometabolic risk factors and adiposity: a randomised intervention study (MC17005)
Publication date: November 10, 2021
Delivery Partner: Loma Linda University
Running from 2018 to late-2021, this project investigated the role of macadamia nuts in health and added to the scientific evidence base on the positive benefits of macadamia nuts in the diet.
The impact of daily consumption of macadamia nuts was measured in overweight and obese adults in four distinct areas:
The study assessed 35 participants both male and female aged 40 to 75 and found that adding macadamias to the diet of overweight/obese adults with elevated cardiometabolic risk, successfully lowered total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), although not significantly, without gains in body weight or body fat.
Consumption of macadamia nuts had no significant reductions in mean weight, waist circumference (WC), body fat mass or percent of body fat, and small but significant reductions in skeletal muscle mass, lean body mass, and total body water – of which were greater in obese versus overweight subjects.
In women only, the cholesterol lowering effect of macadamia nuts was greater among those who were overweight compared to obese
Findings from the project were presented at the American Society for Nutrition annual meeting and subsequently published in three studies, as listed below.
Read more about the findings of the study in the journal articles below:
This project was a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Macadamia Fund
© 2026 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited.
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