Mangoes or the ‘fruit of gods’, originated in the foothills of the Himalayas in India and Burma. Cultivation of Mangeos can be traced back to the 16th century when it was considered sacred and thought to have aphrodisiac properties. Today, India is the largest producer of mangoes across the world and is one of the main fruit crop in the country. Mango is packed with various vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Today several research studies have highlighted that mangoes have protective action against the development of cancers and play a crucial role in enhancing immune protection against infections.
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Giardia is a common infection
across the United States
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Mangoes for Traveler’s Diarrhea: Improves Digestion and Fights Constipation
Traveler’s Diarrhea is caused due to the infection of a micro-organism called ‘giardia’. This microorganism enters the gastro-intestinal system through unhygienic food or water and results in symptoms like loose motions, abdominal colic and diarrhea. In a study conducted in Mexico, it was observed that consumption of mango had protective action against the development of traveler’s diarrhea. The fruit was found to be as effective as tinidazol, a drug used for management of giardia.
Mangoes are also a great source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. A cup of sliced mangoes provide for approximately 12-15% of the daily dietary requirement of fiber. This makes mango very important in the management of constipation. Dietary fiber helps in bulk formation, which in turn stimulates the intestinal motility and fights constipation. It is also considered effective in the management of IBS and other bowel disorders
Mangoes are also loaded with several enzymes like magneferin, katechol oxidase and lactase. These act as powerful proteolytic enzymes which help in the break down of proteins and thereby help in management of indigestion. In tropical countries mangoes are used as meat tenderizers due to their proteolytic properties.
Mangoes to treat Anemia: Mangoes Enhance Immunity and Fight Infections
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| Mangoes can treat Cancer
and Heart Diseases
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Mangoes are loaded with Iron, Potassium and Magnesium. Mangoes are thus, regularly consumed by body builders and atheletes and considered to be beneficial in the management of anemia, especially among women. Regular consumption of mangoes are known to manage menstrual irregularities and also help allay muscle cramps. In addition, the high concentration of potassium in mangoes is considered beneficial in the management of heart problems like hypertension and hypercholesterolemia.
In a four month long study conducted by Department of Epidemiology at the University of Alabama, on 176 children, it was observed that regular consumption of mangoes was associated with higher levels of retinol (vitamin A) in the blood. These elevated levels of Vitamin A in the blood were associated with fewer gastro-intestinal disorders and illnesses in the children during the span of the study.
In another study conducted in the University of Florida, it was observed that when white blood cells of mice were exposed to cancer causing substances and then to mango extracts, it was observed that mango played a key role in preventing formation of cancer cells.
Mango Nutrition: Nutrition Facts about Mango
Mangoes are loaded with Vitamins, Minerals and other essential nutrients. The key highlights of nutritive values of mangoes include,
- One cup of mango (about 165 grams of sliced mangoes) provides 184 percent of daily requirement of Vitamin A, 61 percent of daily requirement of Vitamin C and 17 percent of daily requirement of Vitamin B6. In addition one serving of mango supplies 9% of daily value of Vitamin B1 and about 7% of daily value of niacin
- One serving of freshly chopped mango contains about 107 calories of energy most of which is in the form of carbohydrates and proteins
- One serving of mango also provides for 7% of daily requirement of potassium and about 5% of daily requirement for magnesium.
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