Not only is it the "queen of nuts" thanks to its fragrant, light and pleasant flavor, macadamia nuts are also one of the few nuts that are friendly to people with kidney failure, if used properly and in reasonable doses.
According to nutritional analysis from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 28g of macadamia nuts contain about 103mg of potassium, much lower than other nuts such as almonds (200mg) or cashews (187mg).
The level of phosphorus in macadamia is also only about 53mg, a relatively low level, helping to reduce the pressure of the kidneys to filter.
Clinical nutritionist Gleaguesason, at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), said that for people with chronic kidney disease, choosing nuts with low potassium and phosphorus content is a top priority.
Among them, macadamia nuts stand out for being low in minerals that cause kidney burden and rich in unsaturated fatty acids, a type of fat that is beneficial for the heart and the anti-inflammatory process.
This is especially important, because many patients with kidney failure also suffer from cardiovascular disease and diabetes - factors that accompany and aggravate kidney disease.
Monounsaturated fats in macadamia, especially palmitoleic acid, have the ability to reduce inflammation, help improve vascular endothelial function, support circulation, and are especially useful for patients with cardiodegenerative complications.
Adding macadamia nuts to your diet helps improve blood sugar levels and reduce triglycerides in type 2 diabetes patients. For people with kidney failure due to diabetes complications, this is valuable information.
Although rich in fat, macadamia has a low glycemic index and helps create a feeling of fullness for a long time, limiting unhealthy snacking, an important factor in maintaining an ideal weight and reducing pressure on the kidneys.
Although a good choice, macadamia nuts should be used in moderation. According to the recommendation of the National Kidney Foundation (USA), people with kidney failure should consume no more than 1 serving of nuts (about 28g/day), and prioritize unsalted, unsweetened, and unfried foods.
Limit the use of macadamia in combination with industrial nut milk, because many products contain potassium, phosphorus, preservatives that can harm the kidneys.
