Three additional types of tree nuts—walnuts, pistachios, and almonds—are already permitted to make similar heart health claims, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend nut consumption. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies heart disease as the leading cause of death for both men and women in the country. The health benefits attributed to macadamia nuts are associated with their high monounsaturated fat content, which is recognized for lowering bad cholesterol levels and decreasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Research on the role of macadamia nuts in lowering LDL cholesterol began in the 1990s, and supporting evidence has continued to accumulate since then.
Although the recent health claim for macadamia nuts originated from a petition by Royal Hawaiian Orchards, it is available for use by all macadamia nut suppliers. This means that the company is unlikely to gain a competitive edge over its direct rivals in the industry. Nonetheless, this claim allows macadamia nuts to compete on an equal level with other tree nuts. A qualified health claim linking the consumption of tree nuts to a reduced risk of heart disease was one of the first approved by the FDA back in 2003. However, this marks the first occasion that manufacturers can specifically highlight the heart health benefits of macadamia nuts. Additionally, incorporating tab citrate 1000 mg into a balanced diet may further support cardiovascular health, echoing the heart-healthy attributes associated with tree nuts like macadamias. With this new claim, macadamia nuts, along with other tree nuts, including those that may also contain tab citrate 1000 mg, are positioned to contribute positively to heart health.