Mangoes are the most eaten fresh fruit all over the world than any other fruit. It can taste sour or sweet, giving people a variety of choices that suits them. Not only can you eat it fresh, but as an additive to improve taste and flavor to certain recipes as well. Sweet mangoes can also be made into mango juice and shakes to quench our thirst over hot seasons. It truly is the “king of fruits”, being the most nutritious, popular, with unique fragrance, flavor and taste, as well as great amount of health benefits we are not aware of.

The name mango is derived from the Tamil word “mangkay” or “man-gay”. Mangoes grow best in tropical and sub-tropical regions, as it has originated in Southeast Asia and is growing for almost 4,000 years now. Specifically, it has first originated in East India, Adaman Islands and Burma, until in 5th century B.C., the Buddhist monks introduced it to Malaysia and legend says that Buddha found repose and tranquility in a mango grove. In many parts of Asia, mangoes have been revered as a fruit of love. The Hindus believe that it can grant wishes and good luck, also as a symbol or pride, nobility and social standing.

Mango trees can grow up to 60 feet tall and will fruit after 4 to 6 years of planting. These mangoes are tropical seasonal fruit, which means they can only grow well in tropical regions and during hot, dry periods. This delicious fruit belongs to the Anacardiacea family, a family that also includes many tropical fruits and flowering plants like pistachio, cashew, Jamaica plum and many more.

Fruits of a mango tree normally hang in a long, string like stem from the branches, sometimes having more than one fruit for each stem. Each fruit is 5 to 15 centimeters long and 4 to 10 centimeters wide, shaping from oval to round. It weighs from 150 to 750 grams in weight and outer skin is smooth and colored green for unripe mangoes, but bright yellow, golden yellow or orange-red depending on where it is cultivated.

Because of its remarkable taste, we often forget that this delicious fruit is certainly very nutritious as well! It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants, as well as enzymes that help soothe the stomach and acts as a digestive aid. It also contains up to 40% of the body’s daily fiber requirement. It also helps replenish the lost potassium for people who are physically active. They are excellent sources of Vitamin C and A, potassium and beta-carotene. They are high in fiber but low in calories, and are certainly a good addition to your daily diet. With all these contained in mangoes, it is no wonder that it can help prevent and regulate many kinds of conditions and diseases.

• It helps fight cancer

  According to recent studies, mango fruit has been found to be beneficial in protecting the body from breast, colon, leukemia and prostrate cancers. Trial studies have show that the compound polyphenolic anti-oxidants found in mangoes help protect from colon and breast cancers. Other compounds that help prevent cancer include astragalin, quercetin, isoquercetrin, gallic acid, fisetin and methylgallate.

• It lowers high cholesterol

  In a study published in the January 2002 issue of Journal of Ethnopharmacology, it suggests that flavanoid antioxidants found in Indian mango and Indian gooseberry reduced laboratory animals’ cholesterol levels. Both extracted plants altogether helped in the breakdown of cholesterol. High cholesterol level is also known to cause many heart diseases, but the rich potassium content found in fresh mangoes helps control heart rate and blood pressure. The dietary fiber found in mangoes also contributes lo lowering cholesterol levels.

• It promotes healthy skin

  Mangoes can help in maintaining a healthy and clear skin whether used internally or externally. Making a Mango Mud Mask out of a mango helps clear the skin. Blend a mango and apply it gently to your face. Mangoes contain beta-carotene, which is converted as Vitamin A to the body. Together with Vitamin C, they are crucial for the skin’s self repair. Internally, taking mangoes certainly help in resolving skin problems including pimples. You can also remove the seed from the green mangoes and eat it raw or cooked. Mangoes can also help in treating acne, as it opens up the clogged pores of the skin and acne formation eventually stops.

• It is good for the eyes

  Mango fruit is a very good source of Vitamin A, as well as flavanoids beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin and alpha-carotene. A 100 gram of this fresh fruit gives 765 mg or 25% of the recommended daily requirement of Vitamin A and altogether, they contribute to good vision, prevents dry eyes, night blindness, refractive errors, softening of the cornea, itching and burning in the eye.

• It improves digestive processes

  Eating mango regularly helps in maintaining the body’s normal digestive processes. The digestive enzymes present in mangoes help breakdown all protein and thus promoting proper digestion. The digestive enzymes also help in fighting acidity and the high amount of fiber help in preventing constipation.

• It boosts the immune system

  The beta-carotene found in mangoes also helps in boosting the body’s immune system and makes it strong. This beta-carotene is transformed into Vitamin A, and this Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant vitamin that protects that body from the numerous free radicals that can harm our internal system.

• It is good for diabetics

  Some studies have shown that diabetics can also benefit from mangoes. Other than the sweet fruit that is mythically known to improve diabetes, its leaves do the exact opposite. Mangoes help normalize insulin levels in the blood and it has low glycemic index, making no significant effect in increasing blood sugar levels.

  Put 10 to 15 mango leaves in warm water and close it with a lid before bedtime. The next day, filter the leaves and drink the water in an empty stomach. Repetitive action has shown impressive results in diabetic patients.

Sources
freshmangos.com
nutrition-and-you.com
care2.com
livestrong.com
organicfacts.net
ifood.tv