Mangoes are in season, and although most Filipinos do not need an excuse to eat them,
they will be glad to know that enjoying the fruit has health benefits, too.Diana Herrington
, in a piece titled "10 Health Benefits of Mangoes" for the Care2 Healthy Living newsletter,
gives several reasons why you should have a good, sweet, juicy mango every time you get
the opportunity.Herrington says that, like many other fruits, mango can help prevent cancer.
She says research shows the fruit has antioxidant compounds that can help protect against
colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers. The fruit is also abundant in healthful enzymes.
Mangoes' high levels of fiber, pectin and vitamin C help lower serum cholesterol levels,
specifically low-density lipoprotein or the bad cholesterol.The skin can also benefit from the
fruit, whether it is eaten or applied. Herrington says the fruit clears clogged pores and
eliminates pimples. Mango may be processed in a blender and applied to the face easily
and quickly. Mangoes contain beta-carotene that the body converts into vitamin A which,
like vitamin C, is "crucial to skin self-repair," Herrington adds."When eaten, mangoes help
resolve all skin problems including pimples," Herrington says. Even the large pit or seed
of green mangoes, eaten raw or cooked, is healthy.For eye health, Herrington says one
cup of sliced mangoes supplies 25 percent of the needed daily value of vitamin A, which
promotes good eyesight and prevents night blindness and dry eyes.
Mango contains tartaric acid, malic acid and a trace of citric acid that alkalize the whole
body and help maintain its alkali reserve. Mango leaves can help normalize insulin levels
in the blood. The traditional home remedy involves boiling leaves in water, soaking through
the night, and then consuming the filtered decoction in the morning. Mangoes also have
a relatively low glycemic index (41-60), so moderate quantities will not spike sugar levels.
Mangoes, because they contain a lot of vitamin E, can boost the sex drive.Like papaya,
mangoes contain enzymes for breaking down protein. The fiber in mangoes also helps
digestion and elimination.Green mango is good for cooling off when temperatures rise.
It may be juiced and mixed with water and a sweetener to cool down and prevent harm
to the body.Mangoes can boost the immune system as, Herrington says, it has generous
amounts of vitamins C and A, plus 25 different kinds of carotenoids that can help keep
the immune system healthy and strong.To know more about the other benefits of mango,
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