(NaturalNews) The juicy, tropical flavor of mangos are enjoyed by many, but there are other benefits of eating the fruit beyond its flavor. In fact, June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables month, and according to Mango.org, June is also National Mango Month. All the more reason to hone in on this healthy fruit!
Aside from the delicious taste, mangos are full of health benefits.
Top 5 health benefits of mangos
1) May prevent certain cancers. Discoveries have found that mangos contain a large amount of polyphenols, which play a role in fighting free radicals and protecting against cell damage, which could lead to cancer (1). Specifically, it's been found that many of its compounds have the ability to combat breast and colon cancer cells. Furthermore, mangos have high levels of flavonoids like beta-carotene and alpha-carotene, which help protect against oral cavity and lung cancers (2).2) Help eye and skin health. Mangos have a high vitamin A content, which is good for helping to keep bones, skin and eyes healthy. Eating one cup of mangos provides the body with approximately 35 percent of the vitamin A needed for optimal functioning (3).
3) Help reduce blood pressure. Because this fruit has good potassium levels, yet is low in sodium, it's considered ideal for those looking to lower blood pressure (2).
4) Boost brain health. Improve mood and overall brain ability with mangos. They have large amounts of the vitamin B-6 as well as glutamine acid which helps to improve neurotransmitter function, so the brain remains healthy while also benefiting from improved memory and concentration (4).
5) Better heart health. According to the Institute of Medicine, women should have 25 g of fiber daily, at a minimum (3). One cup of mango as more than 2.5 g of dietary fiber, and eating it along with other fiber-rich foods contribute toward meeting that goal. As with all high fiber diets, heart disease risks are lessened.
Mango fun facts
It's also interesting to note that there's more to the mango that what's ingested. Many fun facts abound when it comes to this fruit including legend that says Buddha used to meditate under a mango tree, are thought to be a gesture of friendship in India, and that they're related to pistachios (5).Mangos are brimming with health and fun history!
Sources for this article include:
(1) http://www.naturalnews.com
(2) http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/mango-fruit.html
(3) http://www.livestrong.com
(4) http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/mango.html
(5) http://www.mango.org/mango-fun-facts
