Mango and its benefits

by Simba Sun Jul 27, 2014 6:31 am

The healthy mango is like a health tonic a well known fruit widely grown in the Asian countries and found in the whole world. This tropical pulpy and healthy fruit is lovely shaped, sweet and some time sourly sweet in taste and is very delicious one. The pulp contains fibers attached to a large pit. The shape of the fruit is oval, semi oval or round. Its weight may increase from 100 to 800 gram. The unripened fruit is green which develops into yellow, golden yellow and many other colors depending upon the kinds. It is grown on a large tree that too is named mango. The tree can produce the fruit even after 300 years. In the world, about 35,000,000 mangoes are produced every year. It's scientific name is Mangifera Indica.

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Why the mango was named "Mango"?

It's name came from Tamil word mangai, mankay or manga. The name of it's genus is mangifera. The fruit got this name when it was imported to America. At that time there were no refrigerator so the americans used to made the pickle of fruits. The fruits that were pickled were called mango. As the mango was wide ranged pickled, so became fame with the name "Mango."

Kinds and Varieties.

There are hundereds of kinds of mango. The same kind may have different names in different regions.

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In Pakistan the most famous kinds are, Dosehri, Langra, sindhri, chaunsa, Saroli, Fajri kalan, Sammar Bahisht, Anwar Ratol, Neelam, Alphonsa, Bagan Pali, Muhammd wole, Ratnagiri, Totapuri, and many more.

In India, Benishan or benisha ( in Telugu Benginapali), Kesar, Malgova, Peethar, Rumani, Bangalura, Rasalu, Thothapari and Salem are famous. The researchers have produced many kinds of mangoes by cross pollination method.

Season of Production.

The mango is a tropical fruit. The flowering on the trees starts from March and the fresh fruit season remains from the last of the march till the end of the august. The Fresh mangoes are available in May, June and July at their top.

History.

The first known growth of mango is in South Asia. It was found here a thousands of years ago. From here it traveled to eastern and middle parts of the Asia. The Persian traders took it to the Arabic regions. In 17th century, it reached Africa and Brazil. In America it reached in 18th century and so gradually spread all over the world.

Nutrients list.

The mango contains a large number of nutrients which are very useful for health. It contains some special compounds necessary for the human body. The main ingredients for 100 gm mango are as under.

Energy........................................70 k cal.

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Carbohydrates.............................17 gm
Dietary fiber.................................1.7 gm
Protein.........................................0.5 gm
Fats............................................0.25 gm
sugars........................................13.7 gm

Vitamins.

Vitamin C..........................................27.5 mg
Vitamin E............................................1.1 mg
Vitamin B 1, 2, 3, 6, 9........................1.3 mg
Vitamin A, K............................Small quantity.

Special Vitamins.

Niacin.................................................0.6 mg
Pyridoxin............................................0.1 mg
Pantothenic acid...............................0.2 mg
Riboflavin ..........................................0.1 mg
Thiamin..............................................0.1 mg
Folates.....................................14 micro gm

Minerals.

Magnesium.........................................9 mg
Sodium................................................2 mg
Calcium.............................................10 mg
Potassium.......................................156 mg
Iron....................................................0.1 mg
Copper.............................................0.1 mg
Manganese Zinc..................Small quantity.

The mango also contains some special nutrients like Carotene and crypto-xanthin.

The mango contains no cholesetrol and no lycopene. ( source.usda.n.d)

Common Uses.

1. The best use of the mango is to eat it separately. It is very tasty without any addition.
2. The mango milk shake is common drink.
3. The mango is used in ice creams, jams and candies.
4. The mango is the main part of pickles and mango sauces.

Medicinal benefits of Mango

Mango Protects against Cancer.

The mango contains vitamins A and c, the Niacin and other antioxidant compounds. The various studies show that these compound protect against the cancer. The chances of colon and the breast cancer are reduced much due to these compounds of mango. Many searches prove that the carotene compounds are a defense against the lungs and the cavity cancer. The mango contains the Carotene compound with a specific combination which provide a safety against the cancer.

Mango Protects the Eyesight.

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The vitamin A along with other antioxidants provide necessary aid to the eye vision. Only 100 gram of mango provide 25% of the daily needs of eyesight power.

Mango Balances the Mucus Production.

The vitamin A with the flavonoid is very helpful for the mucus production. These compounds help the mucus membrane to keep up the mucus balance naturally.

Mango Controls Heart beat and Blood Pressure.

The mango contains Potassium. only 100 gm of mango contains more than 150 mg of potassium. This mineral is essential for heart beat balance and blood pressure control. The main thing is that It is combined with sodium and that is 2 mg. The sodium acts as electrolyte. Some potassium containing fruits do not contain sodium or they contain excessive sodium. But the mango has a definite combination of sodium and potassium which makes it more beneficial. This combination keeps the heart beat and blood pressure in proper control. Homocystein is blood compound. If this one is increased, it may cause CAD and heart stroke. The vitamin B6 ( pyredoxin) controls it and saves the body from heart stroke.

Mango against Infections.

The mango has a most beneficial group of vitamins. That are vitamin C, E and pyredoxin i.e vitamin B6 and all these are essential for skin. They make the skin resisting against infections and scavenges. These particles provide protection against the production of harmful oxygen free ions. So the body gets a guard against these factors.

Mango Increases Mental Health.

Again the vitamins and minerals present in the mango are the biggest source of mental health. The vitamin B6 Pyredoxin helps the brain in the production of GABA hormone. So the mango provides a big help in the brain health. This fruit contains glutamin acid which increases the memory power of the brain. Especially it is very useful to increase the memory of the children. An other nutrient of mango is lycopene. Lycopene is an active antioxidant. It protects the brain cells and disables the growth of Brain tumor.

Mango is Best for RBCs and Enzymes.

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The mango contains Copper. The Copper helps as a factor for many essential enzymes. Also the zinc and manganese also act as co factor. These minerals increase the rate of production of red blood cells.

Mango Keeps Cholesterol Level Low.

the mango contains no cholesterol. It has a large amount of dietary fiber. It is also a good source of vitamin C. All these factors make it best to keep the cholesterol level low. In this regard the mango helps in two ways. It makes no addition in the cholesterol itself. Secondly it reduces the cholesterol produced by the other foods.

Mango saves from Acne.

A large number of vitamins, minerals and especially the excessive quantity of the vitamin C makes the mango a tonic for skin. It keeps the skin clear. It keeps the pores of the skin open for the water, air, sunlight and perspiration. The acne does not produce and the skin remains smooth and glowing.

Mango, a Good source of Iron.

The mango contains sufficient amount of iron. Only 100 gram mango contains 0.1 mg of iron. The presence of other minerals makes this iron reactive, digestible and useful for the body.

Mango is good source of Energy.

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Mango is a store of energy. It is energetic in many ways. It contains a balanced amount of calories. Many kinds of vitamins and minerals are good source of energy. It removes the acids that produce fatigue in the body. The combination of phosphorus and vitamin C keeps the body energetic and fresh.

Serving and recipes.

1. You can serve the mangoes to eat with nothing else.
2. The "Mango milk Shake" is famous all over the world. ( Blend the milk and fresh mango cubes)
3. You can prepare the mango pickle with lots of other fruits and vegetables.
4. The unripened mangoes can be used to prepare the delicious mango sauce.
5. The mango can be served as a garnish with many kinds of rice and meet.

Selection and Store.

You should select the variety you like the most. Some times they appear beautiful and well from out side but do not prove sweet inside. The second thing is the duration of the use. If you are to eat the mangoes after few days, then select the partially ripened fruits so that they may not get over ripened later on. Actually they are picked off the tees mostly unripened. Then they are stored in the papers with a salt of acetylene. This salt gives them beautiful color taste and fragrance and makes them ripened.

The ripened mango is a soft fruit. If you purchase well ripened so please don't store for long time. That may be kept in the refrigerator but they may get spoiled after few days. The better is to keep them covered with paper and on a dry place at room temperature. However for the longer storage the refrigerator is the best.

Special Features Of Mango.

1. Mango is called the King of the fruit.
2. Mango is the name of an African airline, a variety of melon, a space craft and a special
software too.
3. Mango is the national fruit of India, Philippine and Pakistan. The mango tree is the national
tree of Bangladesh.
4. In many regions the leaves of mango are used for decoration on ceremonies.
5. In Indian regions, the mango is presented as a regard to Lord Ganesh and Sarswati.

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6. In many regions the leaves of mango tree
are used to decorate the houses on special occasions.
7. Mirza Asadullah Ghalib ( The famous
Indian Urdu poet) and Rabindhar Nath tagore (famous
writer) were very fond of eating
mangoes.
8. The famous song "Mango Walk" represents
the event of stealing mangoes in the New Zealand.
9. Australians make a special charity. The
first mangoes of the seasons are given as charity.
10. The Mughal Emperor Akbar ordered to plant 100,000 mango trees.
11. India is the biggest producer of mangoes.

Precautions.

The mango is no dout the gift of God. It is healthy, tasty and best friut but there are some
precautions too.
1. The unripened mango may produce allergy and itchiness to some human beings. It appears
on the mouth where the lips meet and the tip of the tongue.
2. It contains enough quantity of sugar. The patients of the Diabetes should take care in
quantity of eating mangoes.

May you live healthy life. Don't forget to like if found something useful in the article.