Nutrition Facts Macadamia Oil Health Benefits and Nutrition Facts Some Use Macadamia Oil for Hair, Skin, and Body By Malia Frey Malia Frey Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Malia Frey is a weight loss expert, certified health coach, weight management specialist, personal trainer, and fitness nutrition specialist. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 19, 2021 Medically reviewed by Melissa Rifkin, MS, RD, CDN Medically reviewed by Melissa Rifkin, MS, RD, CDN on October 13, 2021 Melissa Rifkin is a Connecticut-based registered dietitian with over 15 years of experience working in the clinical setting. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Verywell / Alexandra Shytsman Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Nutrition Facts Health Benefits Common Questions Cooking Tips Allergies and Interactions Macadamia oil—or Macadamia nut oil as it is sometimes called—is produced by extracting oil from the fruit (or nut) of the Australian Macadamia integrifolia tree. Many people use Macadamia oil for hair treatments and to boost skin health. The oil does provide some health and beauty benefits, but not all of them are supported by strong scientific evidence. Nutrition Facts The following nutrition information is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for one tablespoon of Macadamia oil. Calories: 120Fat: 14gSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugars: 0gProtein: 0g Fats in Macadamia Oil Macadamia nut oil contains different types of fat, including saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat. More specifically, the oil contains: Oleic acid (approximately 55-67%), a monounsaturated fat that can improve cardiovascular health when used in place of saturated fats or refined carbohydrates.Palmitoleic acid (approximately 18-25%), a monounsaturated fatty acid that may have beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and cholesterol metabolism.Palmitic acid (approximately 7-9%), a saturated fatty acid that may increase LDL cholesterol and have a negative effect on heart health.Stearic acid (approximately 2-5%), a saturated fatty acid that can decrease LDL cholesterol (although not as effectively as unsaturated fats).Linoleic acid (approximately 1-4%), or omega-6 fatty acids, these polyunsaturated fats are sometimes associated with weight loss, although evidence is lacking. According to USDA data, most of the fat in Macadamia oil is monounsaturated. Experts at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommend that you choose foods with monounsaturated fat instead of saturated fat when possible and consume 15% to 20% of your caloric intake from monounsaturated fat. You'll also consume some polyunsaturated fat with consumption of Macadamia nut oil. Research has shown that these essential fatty acids can help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease. Nutrition experts recommend that you get 3-10% of your daily calories from polyunsaturated fat. The saturated fat in Macadamia nut oil (stearic acid) may have a beneficial effect on heart health, but in general, health experts recommend that we decrease our intake of saturated fat and consume mono- and polyunsaturated fats instead. There is no carbohydrate or protein in Macadamia oil. Health Benefits According to fans of the product, Macadamia oil benefits the skin and hair and can provide anti-aging advantages to people who use it. Specifically, the oil is used topically to: Soften and moisturize aging skin Heal mild wounds Provide antioxidant benefits Soften hair and produce a shinier appearance Some of these applications are supported by scientific evidence, but very few studies have been conducted on the cosmetic uses of Macadamia oil. However, a recent review of related literature found that the fatty acid composition of Macadamia oil has potential in the cosmetic industry. Macadamia nut oil can also be used for cooking. Replacing saturated fat, such as lard or butter with an unsaturated fat such as Macadamia nut oil, may boost heart health. Common Questions What is the best way to store Macadamia oil? To store Macadamia oil, keep it in a cool cupboard, away from direct sunlight. Refrigeration is sometimes recommended after opening. How long does Macadamia oil last? If you refrigerate the product, bring it to room temperature before you use it. When stored properly, the oil can last for up to two years. Cooking Tips Macadamia nut oil can be used for cooking, frying, or heating foods because it has a high smoke point of 410F. Many cooks drizzle it on fish, shellfish, or vegetables. You can also use it as a base for salad dressing. According to Macadamia nut sellers, the fragrant oil pairs well with citrus flavors, coconut, and even chocolate. Allergies and Interactions According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, tree nut and peanut oils may cause a reaction among individuals with nut allergies, depending on how the oils were manufactured and processed. Therefore if you have a nut allergy, you should be cautious when using or consuming Macadamia nut oil. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get nutrition tips and advice to make healthy eating easier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 13 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central. Mac nut oil, macadamia nut oil. March 19, 2021. Perdomo L, Beneit N, Otero YF, et al. Protective role of oleic acid against cardiovascular insulin resistance and in the early and late cellular atherosclerotic process. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2015;14:75. doi:10.1186/s12933-015-0237-9 Nunes EA, Rafacho A. Implications of palmitoleic acid (Palmitoleate) on glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance and diabetes. Curr Drug Targets. 2017;18(6):619-628. doi:10.2174/1389450117666151209120345 van Rooijen MA, Mensink RP. Palmitic acid versus stearic acid: effects of interesterification and intakes on cardiometabolic risk markers - a systematic review. Nutrients. 2020;12(3). doi:10.3390/nu12030615 Whigham LD, Watras AC, Schoeller DA. Efficacy of conjugated linoleic acid for reducing fat mass: a meta-analysis in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85(5):1203-1211. doi:10.1093/ajcn/85.5.1203 Vannice G, Rasmussen H. Position of the academy of nutrition and dietetics: dietary fatty acids for healthy adults. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2014;114(1):136-153. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2013.11.001 Cleveland Clinic. Fat: What You Need to Know. Updated November 28, 2014. Liu AG, Ford NA, Hu FB, Zelman KM, Mozaffarian D, Kris-Etherton PM. A healthy approach to dietary fats: understanding the science and taking action to reduce consumer confusion. Nutr J. 2017;16(1):53. doi:10.1186/s12937-017-0271-4 Hanum TI, Laila L, Sumaiyah S, Syahrina E. Macadamia nuts oil in nanocream and conventional cream as skin anti-aging: a comparative study. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019;7(22):3917-3920. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.533 Weimann E, Silva MBB, Murata GM, et al. Topical anti-inflammatory activity of palmitoleic acid improves wound healing. PLoS One. 2018;13(10):e0205338. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0205338 Navarro SLB, Rodrigues CEC. Macadamia oil extraction methods and uses for the defatted meal byproduct. Trends in Food Science & Technology. 2016;54:148-154. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2016.04.001 Tukua, Deborah. Is Macadamia Nut Oil The New Olive Oil? Farmer's Almanac. Updated: December 5, 2020 American College of Allergy, Asthma& Immunology. Tree Nut Allergy. Additional Reading Navarro, Sandra L.B., and Christianne E.C. Rodrigues. “Macadamia Oil Extraction Methods and Uses for the Defatted Meal Byproduct.” Trends in Food Science & Technology 54 (2016): 148–154.