Benefits of Mangos | Health Benefits of Mangoes
When you savor delicious and succulent mangos every season, you probably don’t think about the immense health benefits coming with every bite. Mango is known as the king of fruits. Beyond the sweet, luscious taste of mangos, they also contain an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that assure your optimum health.
For decades, mangos have been used to soothe the stomach. Similar to papayas, they contain certain enzymes with stomach comforting properties. As the popularity of mangos has spread, many food manufacturers have introduced jellies, jams, squash, pickles, marinades, and spices that include pure mango flavor.
Mango is rich in fiber, so if you have at least one mango every day, you are almost guaranteed to prevent constipation, piles, and symptoms of a spastic colon. Research published in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety have demonstrated that dietary fiber has a positive effect on eliminating degenerative diseases, including certain cancers and heart conditions. Now you have even more reasons to include this delicious fruit in your daily diet. The more you participate in strenuous activities, the more potassium you lose, which is yet another helpful effect of mangos – high potassium content!
Nutritional Value of Mangos
Mangos belong to the same family as that of pistachios, gandaria, mombin, and cashews. Common names for mangos are mangot, manga, and mangou, depending on the region or nation. They originated in southern Asia, more specifically in Burma and eastern India, almost 4,000 years ago. Many stories in Indian mythology mention the mango plant, and Lord Buddha is said to have often meditated in a mango grove. Mango cultivation first spread to Malaysia, eastern Asia, and eastern Africa and was finally introduced to California around 1880. They were introduced to Africa and Brazil by Portuguese explorers, while mango cultivation started in Hawaii and Florida around the 19th century.
According to Indian beliefs, mangos symbolize life (the national fruit of India) and are used in almost every sacred ritual. Mango leaves are almost always used for festivals and wedding decorations. ‘Chutney’ made from Indian mangos has become universally popular. Today, India remains the world’s major producer of mangos, but Thailand, China, Brazil, and Mexico also cultivate this highly beneficial fruit.
Nutritional Mango Facts
Mangos are very low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. They are also an excellent source of dietary fiber and vitamin B6, as well as a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. They are rich in minerals like potassium, magnesium, and copper, and they are one of the best sources of quercetin, beta-carotene, and astragalin. These powerful antioxidants have the power to neutralize free radicals throughout the body. Heart diseases, premature aging, cancer, and degenerative diseases are due to these free radicals that damage the cells.
Health Benefits of Mangos
The tonic made from mangos in Chinese herbal medicine is known as yin tonic, and it is used to treat bleeding gums, anemia, cough, constipation, nausea, fever, seasickness, and as a cure for weak digestion. Here are some Best Benefits of Mangos.
Cure Anemia
Mangos are rich in iron, which makes them beneficial for people suffering from anemia. A regular, moderated intake can help eliminate anemia by increasing the red blood cell count in the body.
Promote Weight Gain
Mango consumption is one of the easiest ways to gain weight. 150g of mango has around 86 calories, which can be absorbed easily by the body. Moreover, they contain starch, which transforms into sugar and aids in gaining weight. Mango milkshakes will accelerate the process of gaining weight since they also contain milk, and are notoriously delicious!
Delay Aging
Mangos contain high amounts of vitamin A and C, which help to produce collagen proteins inside the body. Collagen helps to protect blood vessels and the body’s connective tissues, thereby slowing down the natural aging process. Therefore, mangos can rightly be called an anti-aging food.
Manage Diabetes
Further research is still ongoing, but some studies have already revealed that mangos are a great natural remedy for diabetes. It was a long-told myth that diabetics should avoid mangos because of the sweet taste; now it is being shown that other than the fruit, mango leaves are also helpful in curing diabetes. Place 10 or 15 mango leaves in warm water and close it with a lid before going to bed. In the morning, drink the water on an empty stomach after filtering the leaves. Regular practice of this method has shown positive results in the management of blood sugar levels of diabetics.
Promote Brain Health
Mangos have abundant quantities of vitamin B6, which is vital for maintaining and improving the brain’s function. These vitamins aid in the amalgamation of the major neurotransmitters that contribute in determining mood and the modification of sleeping patterns. They naturally provide significant quantities of this vitamin. With mangos as a part of your diet, you can be assured of a healthy brain and effective nerve functioning. You will also be avoiding medicinal supplements, which have a long list of side effects. The glutamine acid content in mangos also improves concentration and memory.
Useful in Pregnancy
Mangos are beneficial for pregnant women since they fulfill the iron requirements during pregnancy. Doctors often prescribe iron tablets during pregnancy, but instead of supplementation, you can enjoy a healthy iron-rich diet with juicy mangos. The taste buds during pregnancy usually lose some of their sensitivity, so mangos will surely prove to be the delight of your day, more than just its health benefits.
Aid in Digestion
Mangos play a prominent role in eliminating problems such as indigestion and excess acidity. The digestive enzymes in them help to promote natural, efficient digestion. The bioactive ingredients in mangos like esters, terpenes, and aldehydes contribute in enhancing appetite and also improve the function of the digestive system.
Boost Immunity
As mentioned earlier, similar to carrots, mangos are rich in beta-carotene, a powerful carotenoid. This element helps to enhance the immune system and make it impervious to bacteria and toxins. Excess beta-carotene is also transformed into vitamin A inside the body. Vitamin A is another antioxidant that gives you additional protection against the free radicals harming your internal systems. Thus, mangos are a great choice to add to your regular diet.
Manage Diabetes
Further research is still ongoing, but some studies have already revealed that mangos are a great natural remedy for diabetes. It was a long-told myth that diabetics should avoid mangos because of the sweet taste; now it is being shown that other than the fruit, mango leaves are also helpful in curing diabetes. Place 10 or 15 mango leaves in warm water and close it with a lid before going to bed. In the morning, drink the water on an empty stomach after filtering the leaves. Regular practice of this method has shown positive results in the management of blood sugar levels of diabetics.
