The mango fruit is one of the most popular we can find in the market, you can prepare many recipes with them. The benefits of mango are huge cause its vitamins and minerals and its flavor is unique, the fragrance is delicious, is one of the best tropical fruits we can eat promoting a healthy life.
Where are mangoes grown?
The mango is a seasonal fruit which are grown in the tropics, if you are wondering where did mangoes originate?, it is believed that the mango trees are from the sub-Himalayan plains of the indian subcontinent. This exotic tropical fruit belongs to the family of Anacardiaceae.
The mango fruit tree is cultivated in different regions of India, it only grows in some seasons, from April to August, now the mango is farmed in many regions around the world. The measure of the mango fruit is from 5 to 15 cm in length and about 4 to 10 in width, most of them has the typical mango shape we all know, but sometimes it can grow oval or round.
The mango production in India is huge and is considered as the world’s biggest mango producer in the world. But is not the only country where are produced this delicious tropical fruit. Where do mangos grow? Well, here we will see other mango producing countries.
- India
- China
- Thailand
- Mexico
- Indonesia
- Pakistan
- Brazil
- Egypt
- Bangladesh
- Nigeria
- Philippines
- Sudan
- Kenya
- Vietnam
- Haiti
- Tanzania
- Cuba
- Yemen
- Peru
- Colombia
- Nepal
- Madagascar
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Niger
- Guinea
Health benefits of mango
The mango fruit has low calorie and high percent of fibre, is rich in vitamins A and C, also contains folate, B6, iron and a little percent of calcium, vitamin E and zinc. Mangoes are a great source of antioxidants, having phytochemicals like mangiferin and gallotannins which are really good for health benefits.
Any person who wonder if are mangoes good for you, have to know that almost every fruit is full of nutrients. The mango is rich in prebiotic diet fiber and poly-phenolic flavonoid antioxidant compounds.
Some researches have shown that mango can protect you from colon, breast and prostate cancer. Some studies suggest that polyphenolic antioxidant compounds in mango are known to give protection against breast and colon cancer. They are rich in vitamin A and flavonoids like B Carotene, A Carotene and B cryptoxanthin, all this together are beneficial for a good vision.
Mango vitamins like A are necessary for maintaining a healthy mucosa and skin, the consume of tropical fruits rich in carotenes can protect you from lungs and oral cavity cancer.
Another health benefits of mangoes is that they are rich in potassium, 100 g of mango provides 156 mg of potassium and only mg of sodium. The potassium is necessary for cells and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and the pressure of the blood.
The composes of the mango can regulate amounts of copper. The copper is a co-factor for many vital enzymes, the same as cytochrome c-oxidase and superoxide dismutase. Copper is necessary for the creation of red blood cells too.
Mango health benefits for hair and skin
Here we will show you why are mangoes good for you and your health, and why you should include them in your diet.
One of the mango health benefits is that they are rich in vitamins like A and C. The vitamins C is necessary for the formation of collagen, the protein that provides elasticity to the skin. Is also an important antioxidant, being important against environmental damage, if you have a low percent of this vitamin, it will affect wound healing and increase fine lines and wrinkles.
Our hair needs mangoes vitamins C too for the production of collagen and iron absorption, an important mineral for a good hair growth. The cells need the vitamin A for a correct growing, including the skin and hair, some studies suggest that this can delay the effects of the signs of ageing. The vitamin A plays a fundamental role in the production of sebum for hair and skin, the oily substance that moisturises skin and hair.
So my friend, if you are wondering if is mango good for you, let us tell you that for sure it is, try to eat as many mangoes as you can, this will make your health improve.
How to select and storage them
Usually, mangos are recollected when they are green but perfectly matured, those which are unripe are extremely sour in taste. Organic mangos are left to ripen in the tree.
In the store you can find different colors and sizes, just select the size you need and love to eat. The Alphonso which is from India or sindhuri from pakistan are known for their uniqueness. Totapuri mangoes feature parrot-beak shape tips, they come in beautiful green and yellow or orange color. Its pulp has a sweet and tart taste with mint or clove-like flavor,all depends on the cultivator.
Choose those which has an intact skin without any bruises or cuts. The unripe mangoes can be kept at a room temperature for some days, and to ripen them keep them in papers cover. Ripe mangoes can be stored in the refrigerator but not below 10° F.
How many calories are in a mango?
The number of calories you need per day is different for each person and depends of many things like age, gender, weight and how much energy you use in your day. Daily calorie is in a range from 1.600 to 3.000 for adults, these numbers are based on the US Department of Health and Human service.
One mango without peel can provide 200 calories, this is only the 10 percent of calories required per day for adults. A person who weighs 130 pound can burn that amount of calories during an hour of some housework. So the mango calories are low and is perfect for fat-free and take care of the figure.
How do you eat a mango?
- Make sure that the mango is ripe, if you push a finger into the mango and this leave a dent, is ready.
- Wash the mango.
- Use a knife to cube or slice the mango fruit.
- Cut the mango into halves or thirds, after that make vertical cuts on the piece you have in your hand, then make horizontal cuts and create a checkered pattern, all these without cutting the skin. Then take out the skin and leave the cubs in a bowl.
- You can put the cubs in a salad with other fruits or eat the cubs.
- You can put the mango cubes into some ice cream or yogurt and make a delicious dessert.
- This is one of the best way to eat mango.