Mango Health Benefits – Contribution Of Mangoes For Better Health

Mangoes are usually found in sub-tropical climates, particularly in South Asia, South America, Africa and parts of Arabia which are not subject to ice and frost. One medium sized mango contains roughly, 107 calories, .85 g of protein, 27 g of carbohydrates, 3 g of fibre, almost no saturated fat and cholesterol and trace amounts of manganese, selenium and sodium. Mangoes are also rich in fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium and phosphorous.

Health Benefits Of Mangoes

Mangoes are popular as they contain antioxidants that are powerful enough to neutralize free radicals that are capable of damaging cells within the body. This damaging of cells is likely to lead to conditions such as cancer, heart disease, ageing prematurely and other degenerative conditions. The antioxidants, astragalin, betacarotene and quercetin help in keeping these conditions at bay. Most of the antioxidants are contained in the peel and while you may not want to eat it, it would be advisable to skin the mango carefully to avoid a wastage of nutrients. They contain significant amounts of potassium which reduces the risk of fluctuating blood pressure. The dietary fibre – pectin that is found in mangoes is known to keep cholesterol levels in the blood in check. Although high in sugar content, they are low on calories and can be part of a healthy diet. Its high iron content makes it an essential fruit for those suffering from anaemia and pregnant women. They are also beneficial for the skin and open up pores that are clogged. In fact, several specialists use the peel of mangoes in skin creams because of its curative properties. Since the fruit is rich in fibre, it helps in preventing constipation and the enzymes present in it, aid in digestion and prevent acidity to some extent. They are known to contain an enzyme, capable of soothing the stomach and giving off a feeling of contentment. The enzyme works along the lines of papain that is found in papayas. Mangoes are known to prevent a variety of other ailments to some extent and these include bacterial infections, dysentery, diarrhoea, disorders of the eye and liver, scurvy, vaginitis, enlargement of the spleen, piles and menstrual disorders. Its anti-inflammatory properties are known to alleviate the symptoms of asthma and recent research suggests that the phenolic compound found in this fruit possesses anti-cancer properties as well.

The fruit can be consumed raw as part of a fruit salad, or as an ingredient while baking cakes and making pastries.