Healthy Benefits of Mango

Health Benefits Of Mangoes

We have already seen a brief about how mangoes can be good for your health. Now, we move to the specifics. Following are the many ways mangoes can benefit you.

1. Prevent Cancer

The pulp of the mango fruit contains carotenoids, ascorbic acid, terpenoids, and polyphenols – all of which are responsible for the fruit’s cancer-preventing properties (4). Mangoes are also found to contain unique antioxidants that are absent in other fruits and vegetables (5). A Texas study conducted in 2010 also supported the anti-carcinogenic effects of mangoes (6).
The anticancer properties of mango are also attributed to mangiferin, a compound primarily found in the fruit (7). Another study conducted in 2015 found that mango polyphenols suppress breast cancer (8). Mangiferin has also been found to inhibit the growth of colon and liver cancer cells and other tumor cells as well (9).
According to a report published by the Texas A&M University, the polyphenolic compounds in mangoes have antioxidant properties that help decrease oxidative stress (oxidative stress can lead to chronic diseases like cancer). In addition, these compounds were also found to be anti-inflammatory (10).

2. Prevent Heart Disease

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Mangoes could help reduce body fat and control blood sugar. According to a report published by the Oklahoma State University, mangoes contain numerous minerals and phytochemicals that were found to have positive effects on body fat and glucose (11).
Mangoes are a rich source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals that cause heart disease (12).

3. Help Lower Cholesterol

Mangoes contain pectin that was found to decrease the serum cholesterol levels (13).
In another study conducted by the University of Madras, mangiferin (one of the primary compounds in mangoes) lowered the cholesterol levels in lab rats (14). It was also found to increase the levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein), the good cholesterol (15).

4. May Help Treat Diabetes

What is the relation between mango and diabetes? A study of 20 obese adults showed that the consumption of half a fresh mango for 12 weeks results in lowered blood glucose levels. This effect, according to researchers, was attributed to the presence of fiber and mangiferin, a phytochemical (16).
Another study conducted in Mysore proved that the extract of a mango peel has antidiabetic properties (17).
A Japanese study showed that mangiferin might have beneficial effects on type 2 diabetes patients (18).

5. Promote Healthy Sex

Mangoes can be good aphrodisiacs too (19)!
The fruit is rich in vitamin E, which is known to boost sex drive (20). In an Australian study, the combination of vitamin E and beta-carotene was found to improve sperm health in men (21). This combination was also found to be the best defense against sperm damage (22). In another report published by the US National Institutes of Health, vitamin E was found to protect the sperm membrane from oxidate damage (23).
Zinc is another important mineral for male and female fertility, and mangoes are rich in it (24).

6. Improve Digestion

One primary reason mangoes are great for digestion is the presence of fiber that prevents constipation. Fiber also keeps us full for long (25). It keeps our colon clean and allows it to work optimally. In addition, mangoes contain certain digestive enzymes that break down proteins and aid digestion.
Fiber has also been found to maintain the health of the digestive tract, which invariably enhances digestion (26).

7. Mango During Pregnancy