The Good Oil Part 1: Why Macadamia Oil Is a Heart-Healthy Choice

When it comes to picking the right cooking oil, health-conscious consumers often ask: which oil best supports heart health? Macadamia nut oil stands out as one of the healthiest options you can add to your kitchen.

What makes macadamia oil heart-healthy? Its unique fatty acid profile.

Macadamia oil contains about 80-85% monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) — predominantly oleic and palmitoleic acids. Nutrition experts have identified MUFAs as the gold standard for heart health because these fats assist in lowering the "bad" LDL cholesterol while increasing the "good" HDL cholesterol. Improving your blood lipid profile (i.e. fat level in the blood, such as cholesterol) helps reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.[1]

Compared to other oils such as olive, canola, or coconut oil, macadamia oil has one of the highest percentages of MUFAs. Our nut oil – whether you are buying premium (i.e. quality conventional) or organic - also has lower polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which can oxidize under heat. This balance of MUFAs and PUFAs means it is more stable and that means ideal for anyone seeking a healthy oil for cooking especialll frying.[2]

Studies as recent as 2023 confirm that macadamia oil activates metabolic pathways such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which promotes fat breakdown and reduces inflammation in the body, further supporting cardiovascular function. 

Macadamia oil also contains natural antioxidants, such as tocotrienols and tocopherols (forms of vitamin e) and phytosterols, which promote healthy blood vessels, by combatting oxidative stress and aging.[3]

Whether you drizzle it over salads, use it as a cooking oil, or add it to homemade salad dressings and sauces, swapping your regular oil for macadamia oil can be a simple yet powerful step toward improving your heart health naturally. Try organic and premium varieties from trusted sources like Australia’s Nambucca Valley, where our farmers focus on quality and sustainability.

Many people do not realise that macadamias are an Australian native and commercially grown along the fertile East Coast. Nambucca Valley, NSW, where we are based is the southern-most region where macadamias are cultivated, and the temperate climate is considered one of the best for growing macadamias organically.

 Next Friday we will look at how regular use of macadamia oil helps reduce inflmation and metabolic dysfunction