Health
Benefits of Mango
Mango is one of the
tropical fruit, commonly called as "king of fruit". Vietnam is one of
the largest producer and exporter of mangoes in the world. Its soil and
climatic condition enable production and market supplies of good quality fresh
mangoes over a period of about five to six months
Mangoes are a great source of nutrients.
Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods
like mangoes decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, and
heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, and
overall lower weight. Mango can possibly help protect and strengthen the body
in the following ways
The fruit packs over a dozen types of polyphenols. These plant compounds
have antioxidant activity that shields cells from the DNA damage that can lead
to degenerative diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cancer. (In research
done on animals, mango antioxidants actually suppressed the growth of breast
cancer cells.)
Mangoes
improve skin and hair health
The vitamin A in mangos is also key for the development and maintenance
of multiple types of epithelial tissues, including skin, hair, and sebaceous
glands. The latter, which are attached to hair follicles, help keep hair
moisturized and healthy. (In animal research, a Vitamin A deficiency has been
tied to hair loss.) One cup of mango also supplies about 75% of the daily
minimum vitamin C intake. This nutrient is needed to produce collagen, a type
of tissue that gives skin its elasticity and helps prevent wrinkles and
sagging.
And improve blood sugar
regulation
It seems unlikely that such a sweet food would improve blood sugar, but
that was the conclusion of a pilot study at Oklahoma State University. For 12
weeks, 20 obese men and women ate 10 grams of ground, freeze-dried mango pulp
(equivalent to about half a fresh mango) every day. At the end of the study,
the participants had lower blood glucose levels than when they began the
experiment. Researchers suspect bioactive components in the fruit, including
antioxidants, may be at work.
Mangoes support eye
health
The antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin found in mangos help your eyes in
several ways. The two natural compounds, which protect the retina and lens,
have been shown to increase visual range, lessen discomfort from glare, enhance
visual contrast, and reduce the time it takes the eyes to recover from the
stress of bright lights. The duo also protect eyes from harmful ultraviolet
rays, and fight or slow the progression of cataracts and macular degeneration.
