Among connoisseurs of exotic fruits, mango is gaining more and more popularity. India is considered to be his homeland. Many people liked the mango not only for its unique taste and aroma, but also for its valuable composition with a lot of useful properties. Let's consider everything in order.
The invaluable composition of mango pulp, seeds and leaves is widely used in cooking, medicine and cosmetology.
In medicine
In cosmetology
In cooking
To get only the benefits of eating an overseas fruit, follow the rules for choosing a mango.
The main properties of mango are its laxative, bactericidal, diuretic action. Also, the fetus is able to restore the body after undergoing operations and strengthen the immune system during viral infections. You can only benefit from eating an overseas fruit if you completely rule out contraindications.
Mango is a fruit from hot countries that has long appeared on store shelves, but, unfortunately, our compatriots did not like bananas or pineapples. Perhaps, after reading the article, many will reconsider their attitude towards exotic fruits, appreciate their benefits and taste.
These are very beautiful shady trees that are often used in tropical landscaping. If the plant receives enough heat and light, then it grows with a large beautiful rounded crown up to 20 meters in height. To provide constant access to moisture, its roots grow 6 meters deep into the ground. There are individual specimens of trees that live for about 300 years and continue to produce crops every year.
Mango leaves with prominent veins are dark green on top and lighter in color on the back. The flowers of the plant are very small, red or yellow, collected in panicles up to 2000 pieces each. The size, color and shape of the fruit depends on the particular variety.
The homeland of mango is Burma and East India, but now the plant is widespread in other warm corners of our planet. These are Malaysia, East Asia and Africa, Thailand, Pakistan, Mexico, Spain, Australia.
There are over three hundred varieties of the fruit.
There are as many varieties of mango as there are varieties of apples, so it is difficult to determine in all this diversity which one is tastier, but there is also a positive point - everyone can find a mango to taste.
The green and yellow color of the mango fruit is the main difference between the two varieties of exotic fruit. So, fruits with a bright color have the correct shape and belong to the varieties of the Indian variety. Another variety with elongated green fruits is the Filipino or South Asian mango, whose plants are less susceptible to sudden fluctuations in climatic conditions.
Ripe mango has a sweet fruity taste with a subtle sourness, in which notes of apricot, melon and peach are guessed. The color of the flesh can vary from yellow to orange. Its peculiarity is the small presence of hard fibers, they are especially noticeable if the plant grew near a source of hard water, or was treated with chemical fertilizers. The lower the fiber content in the pulp, the higher the quality of the fruit.
Mango pulp is rich in vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids, which the human body is not able to produce on its own.
The vitamin composition of this exotic fruit is as follows: vitamins A, B1, B2, PP and C. Among the minerals that are abundant in mango pulp are copper, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron. Due to this, regular consumption of the fruit has a positive effect on the body's immune system and hematopoiesis processes.
As for the nutritional value of mango, in a percentage ratio of 100 g of the edible part of the fruit, 82.2% consists of water, 1.6% is dietary fiber, 15% carbohydrates (sucrose, fructose, xylose and glucose), 0.4% - fats and 0.8% proteins.
The calorie content of ripe mango, depending on the variety, can range from 65 to 70 kcal / 100 g.
The Asian apple, as the mango is also called, has unique beneficial properties, as it is the first fruit in the world that can stop the division of cancer cells and the infection of healthy tissues. But it is not a panacea and is used as an additional source of vitamins.
The beneficial properties of mango are manifested in helping the nervous system, helping to cope with stressful situations, slowing down the aging of skin cells, cleansing the walls of blood vessels, protecting against atherosclerosis and other joint diseases, restoring the body's water balance.
In addition to a positive effect on the human body, this fruit can also cause harm. Most often it is caused by its excessive use. Since mango contains a lot of sucrose and glucose, people with diabetes need to be very careful when using this product.
Mango peel is too tough and dense, with a specific taste. These properties make it possible to transport exotic fruit anywhere in the world without fear of spoiling its presentation, but it is preferable to peel the peel and eat only the pulp. Doing this should be done with gloves and with extreme caution so as not to get dirty or splash your clothes.
It is better to eat peeled mango pulp raw, so the body will receive absolutely all the nutrients. It is often recommended to chill the fruit a little before serving in order to soften the characteristic oily aftertaste.
In its raw form, mangoes can be eaten not only cut into slices or cubes, but also chopped in mashed potatoes. This will require a blender and a few minutes of extra time. Children will especially like this way of serving.
It can be used to prepare a variety of delicious meals and drinks.
A variation of a hearty and delicious mango snack drink - a nutritious smoothie.
In tropical countries, mangoes are as common as apples in our countries, so for many pregnant women and nursing mothers, this fruit is a common food. The beneficial substances contained in it are so harmless to the human body that mango is recommended even as the first complementary food.
But still, if a woman did not eat this exotic fruit before pregnancy and lactation, it is worthwhile to eat it with caution, monitoring the likely manifestations of allergic reactions in the mother and child. If a rash or other skin reactions, critical changes in stool appear, immediately exclude this product from the diet.
An exotic plant for our latitudes - mango is one of the distant relatives of poison ivy. This fact explains that in its peel, although in a small amount, a poisonous substance is contained - the toxic resin of urushiol. It can provoke allergic reactions and upset the digestive system, so you should not eat mango peels.
The juicy pulp of the mango is eaten, and the essential mango oil is obtained from the seeds. It belongs to solid vegetable oils and at room temperature its consistency resembles the well-known butter. Mango seed oil does not have any pronounced aroma, and its color can be white, light yellow or cream.
Its main cosmetic application is daily care of the face and body skin, as well as hair and nails. The oil is ideal for skin of any oiliness and age. In cosmetology, it is used as part of massage mixtures, mixed in equal proportions with face and body creams, before and after sunburn, hair balms or rubbed into nail plates.
We will tell you in more detail how this fruit is useful.
Only high-quality fruits bring benefits. How to choose the right mango? Color is not an indicator; ripe fruits do not necessarily have the same color. It all depends on the variety; the peel can be yellow, orange, reddish, green or almost black.
Focus on a pleasant fruity aroma, which may contain a shade of pine needles or turpentine. Do not buy fruits with the smell of alcohol or something sour, they have already begun to deteriorate. By pressing your finger on the peel, you should feel the elasticity.
REFERENCE. If you nevertheless purchased an unripe mango, keep it at room temperature in a dark place wrapped in thick paper for a week, and the fruit will ripen.
Before talking about the dangers and benefits of any product, you need to know its composition. Mango contains many components that the body needs. With a calorie content of 70 kcal per 100 g, the pulp consists of:
The mango fruit contains many vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B9, C, E and PP. They are also saturated with minerals and trace elements. By eating a slice of mango, you will enrich your body:
Due to the high concentration of vitamins mango is useful for vitamin deficiencies and weakening of the body after illness.
Not only the quantity, but also the combination of carotene and vitamins B and C is successful, which has a beneficial effect on the immune system and has antioxidant properties.
For normal human activity, carbohydrates and minerals are also needed. Juicy fruit here will supply you with everything you need. In order for the intestines to perform their function correctly, coarse fiber is needed, which is abundant in the pulp of mango.
Cell proteins are made up of amino acids. The body synthesizes some of them on its own, but there are irreplaceable types that can only be obtained from food. Mango pulp has a high concentration of these components.
The exotic fruit is also useful for the eyes: retinol is needed to strengthen the optic nerve and cornea, and carotene prevents night blindness.
Women will appreciate the effect of the pulp on the face. Mango masks will make the skin look younger and fresher, help smooth out wrinkles and remove blackheads.
Let's take a closer look at whether mango is good for health.
In the homeland of mango, for medicinal purposes, they use not only the pulp, but also the peel, the inside of the kernel and the leaves. Unripe fruits are used to treat diarrhea.
IMPORTANT. Hindus pass on this knowledge from grandmothers to grandchildren, their bodies have adapted to this treatment. Residents of northern latitudes are better off not experimenting on themselves. Eat only the pulp of ripe fruits.
The experience of the peoples of hot countries can also help the inhabitants of the northern latitudes. It is proved that fruits have a diuretic and laxative effect, improve blood clotting. Take a small piece of pulp and chew it for as long as possible. Repeat this procedure daily and you will strengthen your heart.
The fruits have a healing effect on the nervous system, improves mood. In case of stress, depression and intense mental work, you can support the body with the help of a juicy tropical fruit.
The beneficial properties of mango have a beneficial effect on the pancreas, normalize cholesterol and blood glucose. For patients with diabetes, you can replace sweets with a slice of juicy fruit.
The anti-inflammatory properties of the pulp will help with oral diseases and colds. Useful for the use of fruits and diseases of the genitourinary system.
Those who want to lose weight can try the mango-milk diet. Fruits supply the body with sugars, and milk supplements them with proteins. Lovers of ham with a thick layer of mango lard will help partially neutralize the fatty blow to the liver and prevent heartburn.
You can learn more about the beneficial properties of mango in the video below:
Could there be a mango allergy? Some people have allergies when they come into contact with mangoes. This is not a reason to give up the tasty fruit. Most often, this reaction occurs not on the pulp, but on the skin.
Ask a family member to peel the fruit and enjoy the flavor. You can also cut the peel yourself if you wear protective gloves.
When eating mango, you need to observe the measure. Exotic fruits are delicious, but don't eat them in large quantities to avoid fever, hives, or constipation. Such effects cannot be attributed to the harmful properties of the fruit; any product in large quantities is hazardous to health. Mango can be harmful if you eat unripe fruits, which can irritate the stomach and respiratory tract.
ATTENTION. Limit your intake of mangoes during pregnancy. An excess amount of vitamin A is harmful for both the woman and the unborn baby.
Don't be fooled by the claims that only those gifts of nature that grow in your area should be consumed. This misconception came from a time when other vegetables and fruits were not available to most of us. Do not be afraid of unfamiliar fruits, enjoy delicious mango, and your body will receive many useful substances.
In recent years, mango fruits ( ) have gained immense popularity among the visitors of Russian supermarkets. At the same time, the benefits and harms of this gift of the tropics are known to the inhabitants of our country only superficially.
This sweet fruit belongs to the Sumach family and grows in almost all tropical countries of Asia, in some states of Latin America, as well as in Spain and the Canary Islands. But India is considered his homeland. According to legend, the mango tree (mangifer) was created by the god Shiva as a gift for his beloved. In modern India and Pakistan, the plant is revered as sacred. It is not surprising, because mango fruits have a lot of useful properties, so that the countries cultivating this fruit sell hundreds of thousands of tons to other states every year.
Mango fruits are round, elongated, with a smooth thin skin and juicy fibrous pulp of a yellow-orange hue. The large bone consists of a hard shell and a soft nucleolus.
The weight, color of the skin and even the shape of the fruit depend on the variety. To date, more than 69 varieties are known. There are more than a dozen of them in Thailand alone; some are in great demand and are mainly exported, while others are considered fodder, so in many areas their fruits are not even harvested from trees.
The mango pulp contains an impressive part of the periodic table. The fruits include:
The fruits of mangifera contain amino acids important for the human body, including essential ones.
Vitamin composition: A, B, D, E, K, PP and high doses of vitamin C. Some varieties contain up to 175 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 g of pulp. For comparison: in lemons, its content does not exceed 40 mg per 100 g.
The fruits have a fairly high calorie content: 67 kcal for every 100 g. This is due to the presence of a large amount of carbohydrates: over 11%. Proteins and fats, on the contrary, make up no more than 0.5% for each group of nutrients.
Mango can be safely called the king of tropical fruits. The fruits and leaves of this plant contain a lot of useful substances that explain its healing properties from a scientific point of view.
Despite the fact that the highest concentration of nutrients is found in the pulp, the peel, fruit seeds and leaves also have several trump cards in stock.
For example, nucleoli are used for asthma, and a decoction of mangifera leaves is used to treat and prevent such ailments:
Finally, mango leaves are a real lifesaver for diabetics. A decoction of this plant raw material normalizes blood glucose levels and helps preserve vision, which often deteriorates with this disease.
The fruit is especially beneficial for the health of pregnant women. The nutrients contained in it help to cope with anemia, support the correct development of the fetus, and improve the woman's immunity. But due to the increased risk of allergies, the use of mangoes during the period of bearing a child must be coordinated with a doctor.
Young children can add a spoonful of mango puree to their daily diet, and older children can make sweet salads from this tropical guest. If there is no allergy, it has an extremely positive effect on the child's body.
Despite the mass of miraculous properties, it is not recommended to eat mango uncontrollably. It is not useful for everyone, and in some situations it can become really dangerous to health.
Like many other tropical fruits, mangoes are a strong allergen. When you try it for the first time, you need to be careful. If, after a small piece, a rash, runny nose, indigestion are found - clear signals to abandon exotic foods in the diet.
Unpleasant news for people who prefer to sip a glass or two at dinner: the fruit does not combine with alcohol and can cause discomfort.
Even a completely healthy person can get sick (heaviness in the stomach, colic, etc.) if he eats more than 2 pieces in one day. Since mango is a rather difficult product for the digestive system.
Unripe fruits are insidious: even in small quantities, they can cause cramps in the stomach, constipation and even fever.
Mangifera, in addition to fruits and leaves, gives people other useful products.
Fully ripe are most tasty and healthy. But determining the maturity of a mango is not easy due to the large number of varieties. As a result, the green fruit can be juicier and sweeter than the orange fruit, and the putrid gray hue of the fruit skin is not always a sign of spoilage.
If you bought unripe fruits, do not despair: they will ripen easily if you put them in a warm place, wrapped in paper or breathable fabric. The main thing is not to store fresh mangoes in the refrigerator, where they quickly become soft, lose their pleasant refreshing taste and a significant part of the beneficial properties.
Most of the inhabitants of our country are accustomed to perceiving mango fruits as a dessert served cut or, in extreme cases, as part of sweet salads. But you can cook many amazing dishes from this fruit. In the countries of cultivation, it is eaten in almost all forms: fried, dried, sun-dried and even stewed.
An exotic spice is produced from unripe mango fruits - (greenish-gray powder with a sweet and sour aroma). In cooking they use:
In the family kitchen, amchur can be added in small amounts to almost any food that will not be damaged by the sweetish taste with sourness.
With the spread of fruitarianism throughout the world, interest in such healthy exotic as mango is growing rapidly. And experts in healthy eating see only advantages in this.
Mango- a plant of the Sumak family. His homeland is India, where the fruit still occupies one of the leading positions in exports. Today, the fruit grows in almost all areas with a tropical climate.
Sufficiently large fruits are spherical or de elongated-ovoid. On average, the weight of the fruit reaches about 400 g, although there are also record holders who reach about 1.5 kg in weight. The smooth and dense peel is distinguished by its unusual color, since it consists of 3 colors: green, yellow and red, which smoothly merge into each other (see photo).
The fibrous pulp has a sweet taste and unusual aroma. Inside there is a large and fairly hard bone of a pale yellow color, which has an oblong-flattened shape.
Due to the combination of B vitamins, carotene and ascorbic acid strengthens the immune system, and also protects healthy cells from oxidation. Ripe fruits have a diuretic and laxative effect, and they also improve blood clotting. It has been found that regular consumption of mangoes helps relieve nervous tension, improve mood and prevent the risk of depression. Besides, mango increases sexual activity.
Studies have shown that mango has the ability to reduce weight and normalize blood cholesterol levels. The fruit extract contains substances that have the ability to regulate the metabolic rate in the body.
From the seeds of the fruit, oil is extracted, which has a rich amount of fatty acids that are beneficial for the body. It is used in various cosmetics. For example, oil reduces the risk of split hairs, and it also makes them fluffy. From mango fruits, you can prepare a mask that is suitable for hair.
Mango is quite popular in many cuisines of the world, especially in those where it is grown. The fruit is most often consumed fresh, but besides that, it is baked and canned. A variety of drinks are made from juicy fruits, for example, juice, nectar, compote, cocktails, liqueurs, etc. Mangoes are used to make delicious and sweet preserves, marmalades, jam and confiture. In addition, the fruits are used as side dishes and put in salads, which are an excellent addition to meat and fish.
The benefits of mango have been known for a long time and are used in folk medicine in many countries. For example, a combination of unripe mango, honey and salt can help relieve indigestion, dysentery, constipation and hemorrhoids. Many traditional healers claim that if you chew a small amount of fruits daily, you can significantly strengthen the heart muscle.
In addition, a decoction made from the leaves of this plant is used to treat some diseases. Treatment of eye diseases and diabetes also involves the use of this broth. It also helps to improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system and pancreas. In folk medicine, it is recommended to use a decoction of mango leaves for varicose veins and for numerous hemorrhages on the skin. You can use the juice of the fruit for acute dermatitis, and the seeds will be useful for asthma.
Mango harm can bring people with an individual intolerance to the product. It should be borne in mind that the skin of the fruit can cause allergies, therefore it is recommended to use gloves to clean it. It should be borne in mind that if you eat a large amount of unripe fruits, you can cause colic and irritation of the stomach mucosa and respiratory tract. The abuse of ripe fruits provokes the development of constipation, fever and hives.