Benefits of Mango Fruit
Mango fruit from the mangifera indica tree is the most well known species out of all the mango plants. It is a native of India and was brought to other countries in South East Asia and later to the other parts of the world. Unripe, the fruit is sour and astringent but when it is ripe, it emits a pleasant aroma and the flesh is juicy.
Mangoes have a number of health benefits because it is rich in a variety of phytochemicals and nutrients. There are protein, carbohydrates, fiber, sucrose, glucose and fructose and 17 amino acids. The total fat is only 0.38g. And a 100g of raw mango contains about 60 to 65 calories.
It contains vitamin A which is an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect cells from free radical damage and assist in the growth on new cells. It helps strengthen the immune system. Eating a mango fruit or drinking mango juice regularly will also benefit vision, skin, teeth and bone health.
A 100g of mango contains about 640mcg of beta carotene. This is the pigment that produces the yellow flesh or pulp. It is also an antioxidant. Besides its antioxidant activities and having similar properties as vitamin A, beta carotene contributes to reproductive health and fertility, protects the mucous membranes and may help reduce the risk of lung problems.
The other health benefit of eating mango fruit is it protects the body against the risk of infections. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant and an immune system booster. It has the potential to protect the body against the risk of high blood pressure, the common cold, heart disease and age related diseases. An adequate amount of vitamin C in the body helps increase the absorption of iron and in the production of collagen.
If you are an active person, adding mango to your diet will help increase your energy level. This is because of the potassium content which is about 168mg in a 100g or raw mango. Potassium also assists in maintaining proper kidney function and healthy blood pressure levels.
A mango fruit contains most of the B vitamins namely thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, folate and choline. Each of these vitamins contribute to proper body functions such as enhancing circulation, protecting the mucous membrane in the digestive tract, synthesizing sexual hormones and improving mental health.
Another health benefit of eating or drinking fresh mango is you get the supply of lutein and zeaxanthin. These two carotenoids are not manufactured in the human body. You can only get them from foods containing these carotenoids such as spinach and collard greens or taking the supplements. Lutein and zeaxanthin are especially beneficial to protect against macular degeneration which is a disease of the retina of the eye that result in loss of central vision.
Other nutrients present in mangos are calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium. There are also vitamin E and vitamin K. Other carotenoids present are lycopene and beta cryptoxanthin.
The other parts of the mango tree are used in folk medicine to treat ailments. The dried mango flowers contain tannin and are made into herbal tea to treat diarrhea, dysentery, pain in the bladder and inflammation of the urethra due to gonorrhea. The gum from the trunk is used topically to treat cracked heels and scabies.
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