Considered by Ayurveda to be the “king of fruits”, mangoes are tasty, juicy fruits that are highly nutritious.

This fragrant and sweet fruit is rich in carotenes, vitamin C, copper and vitamin A. It is also a good source of vitamin E, potassium, iron and magnesium. Containing over 80% water, the mango is an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber.

And what do all these mean?

The carotenoids, phytonutrients and antioxidants found in mangoes have been found through research to help prevent certain cancers.

The antioxidants and fiber found in mangoes can help support a healthy cardiovascular system.

Mangoes also contain a multitude of enzymes, such as magneferin, katechol oxidase and lactase, which can help you to improve your digestion, or play a part in tenderizing meat.

Mangoes have been used by Indian healers for treating anemia, as their high iron content helps in building blood. This makes mangoes a great fruit for pregnant ladies or those undergoing menstruation!

The calcium and magnesium content in this yellow fruit can also help in preventing muscle cramps.

And even though mangoes can be really sweet, they can be safely enjoyed by those with diabetes, as consumption of the fruit does not trigger a sharp spike in the blood glucose levels.

Consuming the fruit may offer you some protection against infections. In a Mexican study, it was found that mango provided some protection against what is commonly known as “traveler’s diarrhea (caused by an organism called giardia). In another lab test where mango juice was poured into a test tube containing viruses, the viruses were destroyed.

It’s no wonder that the Indian healers consider the mango to be the “king of fruits”.

References
[1] Collins, Elise Marie. An A-Z Guide to Healing Foods: A Shopper’s Companion. San Francisco, California: Conari Press, 2009. Print.
[2] Murray, Michael, ND., Pizzorno, Joseph, ND., and Pizzorno, Lara, MA, LMT. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods. New York, NY: Atria Books, 2005. Print.

Cindy L. TJOL is trained in Psychology, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She has several years of experience writing on natural health on the internet. Follow her on her blog and read her other articles at Insights On Health.com.