Health Benefits of Eating Mangoes

Mangoes are famously known as the “king of fruits” and are native to South and Southeast Asia. They have been cultivated for hundreds of years, and now many hundreds of types of mangoes also exist. Each of these has a different size, shape, color, and taste! Not only are mangoes extremely delicious to eat but there are also plenty of benefits to eating mangoes. The fruit has been linked to improved immunity and digestive health, along with lowering the risk of a few cancers as well.

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Mangoes are super packed with lots of nutrients, ranging from proteins and carbs to vitamin C and fiber. Only one cup of mangoes, approximately 165 grams, contains 67% of one’s daily need for vitamin C, which helps in boosting immunity, increasing iron absorption, and promoting cell growth and repair. With very low calories, you consume many nutrients! Only one cup of mangoes contains less than a hundred calories. In fact, eating a mango before a meal helps prevent you from overeating later. However, note that this is only applicable in the case of fresh mangoes.

Mangoes are also packed with healthy plant compounds that act as antioxidants to fight harmful substances in your body. Some of these plant compounds include mangiferin, catechins, gallic acids, kaempferol, and benzoic acid among many others. These antioxidants protect your cells and your body against free radicals- substances that can easily damage your cells. Mangoes are also extremely beneficial for your heart’s health. They contain high levels of magnesium and potassium that are needed to maintain a healthy blood flow. The fruit is high in an antioxidant named mangiferin, which has been linked to lower inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death in animal studies. The fruit also works towards lowering bad cholesterol levels that are extremely dangerous to your heart’s health.