Whoopee! Here we are discussing the fleshy fruit with loads of minerals and health benefits to offer; I never quickly get over the feeling I get from this juicy fruit; it is just amazing, and I am pretty sure I`m not alone in this feeling. Mangoes are rich in minerals, proteins, and carbohydrates. They have loads of varieties and are mostly found in China, India, Thailand, and the Philippines. Talking of Philippines, did you know that the heaviest mango in the world, weighing 8.5kg won the Guinness World Record was from the Philippines? Yes! An average sized mango, usually, contains 15g of carbohydrates. Eating a regular sized mango cup full of sliced mango gives you about 100% of your daily vitamin C requirement, how amazing! You also get calcium, manganese, magnesium, and iron. Zinc and sodium aren`t left out. What else? Eating a mango gives you all the richness of vitamins B6, E, and K, folate, and thiamine. Mango, really, is a super fruit. Can we discuss its benefits already?
Health Benefits of Mango
Reduced Cancer Risk
Mangoes have got lots of antioxidants, and that`s a reason you should make them a part of your diet. Antioxidants will help you ensure the prevention of cancer. Mangoes will particularly help you keep you free of colon and breast cancers. That is not all, as they are essential in reducing the risk of leukemia too.
Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
Mangoes are great at controlling fat and cholesterol, and of course, your body needs this. They`re satisfying, ensuring that you don`t overeat and gain unnecessary weight. Their phytochemical content also has some relevant impact on your health and fat control. All these ensure you have a healthy heart.
For that Perfect Skin
Nothing, absolutely nothing, can give your skin that glow it needs, except nutrients which work internally. So your body treatments are good, however, the necessary nutrients are better. Mangoes have collagen in them, and collagen is the protein you need to make your skin glow exceptionally. For that dazzling look, you desire, do eat mangoes.
Improved Sexual Life
Did you know that vitamin E largely influences sex drive? Oh yes, it does. The more balanced vitamin E you have in your body, the more improved your sexual drive will be. Beta-carotene and vitamin E, which are both found in mango, can boost the health of sperm in men. So now you know, for a healthier sperm, eat mangoes and other foods which contain these essential nutrients. You can also prevent oxidation damage on sperm membrane by eating mangoes. A superfruit it really is.
Better Brain Health
What can be more essential for a healthy body than a healthy brain? Pyridoxine, commonly known as vitamin B6, found in mangoes, helps your brain in producing neurotransmitters. Vitamin B6 ensures proper cognitive abilities of your brain and reduces the risk of brain damage. Vitamin B6 is also helpful in treating asthma and premenstrual syndrome. All these in mango. Super, really super.
Slowed Aging Process
Isn’t it funny how we want to live long but remain young? Collagen found in mango can help a whole lot in preventing wrinkles from appearing on your skin. Women can even slather mango pulp on their faces to get this amazing anti-aging benefit of mangoes.
Alkalization of Body
Mangoes can be of great help in increasing the alkalinity of your body. Potassium found in mangoes is a great way in alkalizing your body. Keep in mind that your body’s ideal pH should be above seven, that is, more alkaline. An alkalized body reduces the risk of suffering from chronic pains and diseases. Definitely, you shouldn’t increase the alkaline levels in the body excessively, so only eat mangoes moderately but regularly.
Improved Eye Health
When one suffers an extreme deficiency of vitamin A, the condition can lead to blindness. Vitamin A plays an important role in keeping your eyes healthy and your eyesight safe. Because mangoes are rich in vitamin A, they’ll help you have healthy eyes. Do you want an improved eyesight? Eat mangoes.
Reduced Risk of Hypertension
Hypertension is one terrible condition no one desires to experience. Preventing it is preventing loads of other health challenges. Hypertension often serves as the presage to cardiovascular problems. Mangoes have potassium, and this mineral is popular for maintaining heart health and preventing hypertension. So, eating more mangoes means better health.
An Assurance for Bone Health
Vitamins A and C present in mangoes make them the perfect fruit for bone health. That’s not all, as collagen, which is essential to skin health, is also the protein that makes bones healthy. While vitamin A, found in mangoes, also plays an important role in bone health, you should avoid taking too much of it because its excess can cause bone damage too.
Trouble-free Digestive System
Mangoes are one of your surest fruit in keeping your digestive system working without problems. The terpenes and esters found in mangoes help reduce the acidity of the stomach. The high fiber content of mangoes can also help in preventing Crohn’s disease and other disorders related to the stomach and the entire digestive system.
Did you Know?
- A ripe mango is quite easy to know. You can tell if a mango is ripe or not by squeezing it. Ripe mangoes, with a gentle squeeze, are easily responsive to touch because of their texture.
- The right way to slice a mango is to find the eye (the seed runs directly behind it) and the cheeks. To slice, place it on the cutting board in a way that appears it is looking up at you. Make a cut off center about half an inch, turn the mango around and cut the other side. Then you have the two cheeks. *smiles* Take one cheek and cut through the flesh, making parallel spears.
- Mango trees can grow so tall, as much as 100 feet.
- Mango trees can bear fruit for up to 300 years.
- Currently, there are about 400 varieties of mangoes.
Any Side Effects?
Irritation
This is one unfavorable effect of consuming lots of mangoes. As delicious as mangoes can be, kindly ensure that moderation is highly important. Your mouth and esophagus react to too much mango consumption, causing strong irritation.
If you experience this problem, then avoid drinking cold water because it can cause further irritation. Cold water can cause coagulation of sap, so the irritation becomes more severe.
Salmonella Infection
This infection is one of the frightening side effects of eating mangoes. Salmonella Serotype Newport (SN) has long been reported in the United States as far back as 1999, and raw mango is one of its causes.
Do you Suffer from Arthritis?
If you suffer from arthritis, then mangoes may not be excellent for you. You shouldn’t consume them in large quantities. If you ask me, I’d advise you just leave them alone. Really, how does one avoid consuming such a delight in large quantities?
Allergic Reactions
Eating mangoes may cause allergies, especially for those who are allergic to certain fruits. Some of the symptoms that may be found are watery eyes, respiratory problems, colds, and abdominal pain.
Artificially Ripened Mangoes
Did you know that mangoes are sometimes forced to mature by desperate farmers? They use calcium carbide to accelerate the mango ripening process. This substance has adverse effects on the health. It could cause severe numbness and peripheral neuropathy.
Poor Digestion
One terrible effect of eating a lot of mangoes is indigestion, especially when the immature ones are eaten. Avoid eating immature mangoes, and excess mangoes, generally.
Final Words…
It’s been an interesting and eye-opening reading, I believe. Now you’re aware of how mangoes are actually a super fruit. Beyond being juicy and delicious, this fruit is amazingly healthy for your body. Why not try a number of varieties, taste them, and pick the one that suits you best. You’d be glad you did. Your body will be grateful.
