Top 8 Health Benefits of Mango

What is Mango?

Mango belongs to the tropical fruit family and is indigenous to the Indian Sub-continent. It is cultivated in tropical areas and is widely distributed worldwide. It is famous as a fruit for its juice, flavor, and fragrance. The mango tree leaves are used for various rituals in ceremonies such as weddings.

It is a delicious and fattening fruit called the “King of Fruits”. It is available in 100 varieties. The mango leaves are green in color, and when they are young, they are orange-pink. The fruit’s ripe form is available in various sizes and colors, such as yellow, red, green, orange, etc.

Mangoes have been otherwise cultivated in the Indian subcontinent and reached East Asia’s shores between the 5th and 4th centuries. By about the 10th century, they had been transported to East Africa. They have been introduced in Brazil, West Indies, and Mexico, where the climate is conducive to their growth. Now nearly half of the world’s mangoes are cultivated in India.

Mango fruit is rich in vitamin A, C, and minerals like calcium, phosphorous, and iron. The bark of the mango tree has styptic, astringent, and anti-inflammatory properties. Leaves have anti-bacterial, styptic, refrigerant, and astringent properties. Flowers of the Mango tree are used medicinally as haematinic and styptic. The delicious part is used as an antifungal, digestive, carminative, and as refrigerant. The seed kernel for the fruit is too not thrown away as it works for constipation and is used as a uterine tonic, and has anthelmintic properties.

Health Benefits of Mango – Bark, Leaves, Flowers, Seed Kernel

1. Diabetes

Mango peel is rich in dietary fiber, polyphenols, and carotenoids. In the study, it was found that peel can be included as a therapeutic food. Mangoes fruit are also suitable for diabetes patients as they are low in fat and sodium and have a low glycemic index.

The tree leaves also have diabetes-fighting capabilities. The tree leaves should be dried, powdered, and stored in a dry place. One can take half tsp of this powder two times a day. This remedy is effective for mild cases of diabetes. People who take insulin injections should test their effectiveness before continuing it for the long term. The tender leaves of the tree are best, but fresh leaves could also be taken. These leaves should be adequately dried, powdered, and stored in an airtight container.

In another study done by Oklahoma State University, it was found that mango had a positive effect on blood glucose when consumed by obese people.

2. Diarrhea

Collect the mango seeds while it is in season, dry them in the shade, and make a fine powder out of them. Store it in a dry place. Make small balls of this powder with jaggery and take it three times daily. In case of piles, do not mix jaggery and take only 1/2 tsp of seed powder.

As per a study done by M. R. Govt Arts College, Thiruvarur it was found that M. indica seed kernel is effective in treatment of diarrhoea. The seed kernel reduced faecal score and intestinal motility in Swiss albino mice.

3. Boils

Make a paste out of the tree’s bark and apply it on boils that have not come up entirely, which would help suppress it. Due to the high vitamin C and ascorbic acid content, raw mango helps quickly heal boils when taken internally. Raw pulp squeezed out acts as an astringent.

4. Bleeding Nose

To get rid of the bleeding nose, apply 2-3 drops of juice extracted from the seed kernel in the nostrils, and it will stop bleeding immediately.

5. Nausea

Make an infusion of Jamun, tender leaves of the mango tree, and 1 tsp honey and take it to cure vomiting and nausea.

6. Motion Blood

A few mango tree bark pieces should be boiled in milk and taken with honey two times a day until the blood in motion stops. If it does not stop in 2-3 days, you might want to see a doctor.

7. Insect Bites

Extract the juice of the leaf and apply it to the stung area to prevent further inflammation.

8. Sunstroke

One of the most common uses of raw mango is its ability to help or prevent sunstroke. A drink made out of boiled raw mango mixed with sugar or salt helps on a hot summer day and keeps the body hydrated. This is because of the high water content in raw mango and the presence of vitamin C and potassium. Due to this mango helps when there is electrolyte imbalances in the body or can help in alleviating symptoms of heat stroke.

More about Mango

Other Benefits

• Mangoes are full of phenols, which are powerful antioxidants and contain anti-cancer abilities
• Contains plenty of iron. It is good for pregnant women and those suffering from anemia. They are usually advised to have the fruit but restrict it to one fruit a day
• It is useful in combating acidity as well as poor digestion
• Mangoes are low in carbohydrates
• It is a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Selenium. It protects the heart from any diseases as well as ailments
• Beneficial for kidney problems
• Useful for those who are trying to gain weight
• Helps in the better functioning of hormones making sex life more enjoyable
• Useful for bacterial infections
• Beneficial for eye disorders
• Liver disorders
• Useful for menstrual disorder
• Useful in treating Scurvy
• Good for Sinusitis
• Beneficial for Spleen Enlargement
• Useful in treating Vaginitis

Parts of Mango Tree Used for Medicinal Properties

Root & Bark: The roots and bark of the plant are primarily used for their anti-inflammatory properties. It is also used as a styptic and astringent.

Leaves: Leaves are refrigerant, styptic, and an astringent.

Flowers: The plant’s flowers again have astringent, haematinic, and refrigerant properties.

Seed Kernel: The mango seed kernel is used as a uterine tonic. It is also used for its anthelmintic properties.

Mango Nutritional Value(per 100g)

Mango consists of a total of 20% of soluble solids i.e sugar(13.7g) and 1.6g of dietary fiber. It also has a rich source of vitamin C(36.4 mg) and vitamin A. It contains minerals like –

Mangoes are also rich in antioxidants (beta-carotene and polyphenols). Amylases and proteases are two enzymes present in mango and aid in digestion.

Also Known As

Mangoes are indeed delicious but also consist of many health benefits. One enjoys the taste of a mango, but he or she is also gaining much nutritionally.

Mango FAQs

Is mango acidic or alkaline?

Mango is acidic but more of a mild acidic. The PH value for the fruit is between 5.8 to 6, which is more toward the neutral phase. A value of more than 7.0 is alkaline. Remember not to eat more than 2-3 slices of mangoes at one go if you suffer from acid reflux symptoms.

Is mango high in sugar?

Yes, mango contains natural sugar that can increase the body’s blood sugar level and might be of concern to a diabetic person. However, it can be taken in smaller quantities as the antioxidants and the fiber in it helps minimize its effect. Therefore, people with diabetes can take 1/2 cup of sliced mangoes, check if it affects their blood sugar level, and adjust the intake accordingly.

Can mangoes make you gain weight?

Eating mangoes might not aid in gaining weight but drinking it might. Taking mangoes in the form of juices, pies, ice cream, milkshakes, etc., will increase your body weight due to the added sugar. However, the fruit is rich in fiber, minerals, antioxidants, etc. Enjoy the fruit without worries in the season.

Do mangoes cause gas?

Yes, mangoes might cause gas in a few people. Mango is rich in fructose, a natural sugar. Many people cannot digest fructose, due to which gas is formed. Their body is not able to break down sugar properly.

Is it reasonable to eat mango at night?

Yes, mangoes are safe to eat at night. However, people who have difficulty digesting natural sugar(fructose) might want to avoid it at night as it can cause gas problems.

How many calories are in a mango?

One hundred grams of mangoes contain 60 calories.