Mangoes: A Healthy Treat?

Where I come from, the mango is probably the most available fruit. There are hundreds of different kinds of mangoes around the world, and each one has its own unique flavor and look. If you are trying to stay healthy in a tropical environment, rather than reach for expensive unavailable items, why not reach for the regular everyday stuff available to you?

Well, I’m sure you were wondering “What are the health benefits of mangoes?” They are not as popular as oranges in places like the US and the UK, and so people don’t talk about the health benefits as much. Fret not, we are here to help!

King of Fruits: First of all, did you know the mango was called the king of fruits? This is because it is rich in so many nutrients like amino acids, vitamin C and E, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. The mango does contain more calories than say an apple or a peach (about 110 for a medium sized mango) so it is important to make sure you note this as you add it to your diet.

Anti-disease qualities: Mangoes have been known to help assist in treating diseases like diabetes, anemia, gastric reflux, diseases around the eye, and even cancer.

• Diabetes – A recent study at the University of Queensland, Australia indicates that components within mangoes operate in a similar manner to some diabetes and cholesterol drugs by helping to regulate insulin levels.

• Anemia – Mangoes contain a large amount of iron, which helps people who suffer from an iron deficiency, like people with anemia. It would also benefit women right after their periods who have lost a lot of blood, and women going through menopause.

• Gastric reflux – Many fruits are good for acidity, and the mango is one of them. It is high in fiber, which helps regulate the digestive system, but it also contains enzymes that act as an anti-inflammatory agent for the stomach lining.

• Eye diseases – It is rich in vitamin A! And we all know what that means. Great eye health!

• Cancer – As we know we don’t exactly know the causes of cancer or what prevents it (or we’d all be doing it), but people who eat certain foods seem to have less likelihood of getting cancer. The mango is one of those foods.

Retention: Mangoes do make you smarter! Well, maybe not smarter, but they help with memory retention and concentration.

Healthy skin: Mangoes are also known to give skin a certain shine by providing moisture and restoring elasticity. Maybe this is one of the reasons why why people in tropical regions tend to look younger than their counterparts in other parts of the world. Hmmm…

Sex drive: So I know you’ve all been waiting for this one. But did you know mangoes help to increase your libido and regulate your sex hormones? Erm… in that case, maybe I should not be suggesting this fruit to all you innocent children out there. I mean, I do know that Eights & Weights readers are innocent. *as we all adjust our halos together*

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Photo credit: Democraticunderground.com