Mangoes - The King of Fruits is Good for Weight gain or loss

During Summer Season one can see the fruit market full of yellow, colored mangoes. The fruit attracts many to pick up and eat. Few are afraid of eating mangoes due to diabetic problems. They think that the fruit is having much sugar. Few want to eat to gain weight and some people think they can lose weight by eating the mango. The milkshake is popularly known as the Mango shake. The yellow-colored thick contents make anyone desirous of taking it as soon as possible. It gives energy, quenches thirst, and helps feed to quench the hunger also.

Native to India, mangoes were first cultivated in Northeast India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar about 25-30 million years ago. Also called the king of fruits, mangoes have enjoyed their own prized place in the history of India and its relationship with the world. It is one of the very few fruits that has found a coveted place in Hindu religious scriptures.

Food Historian KT Achaya in his book, 'A Historical Dictionary of Indian Food' writes, "From its very first mention as 'amra' in the Brahadarnayaka Upanishad (c.1000 BC) and in the slightly later Shatapatha Brahmana, the virtues of mango fruit has been extolled for three thousand years." It is said that mangoes were also very dear to Lord Buddha. He used to meditate in the tranquillity of lush mango groves. Of the most popular legends and yore, the Mughal fixation with mangoes wins hands down. Mangoes were used as tenderizers in the making of the delectable Mughlai kebabs. Mango grafting too was issued only by royal patronage until Emperor Shah Jahan lifted limitations, KT Achaya writes in his book 'A Historical Dictionary of Indian Food'. During the 16th century, the sea-faring Portuguese were so lured by the mangoes in Kerala, that they also took the fruit and its seeds and introduced it to Africa.

With a history as delicious, mangoes make for one of the most popular fruits across the world. In addition to being sumptuous, pulpy and amazing, mangoes pack a host of health benefits too!

Mangoes could help facilitate healthy digestion. According to the book, 'Healing Foods by DK Publishing, mangoes contain enzymes that aid the breakdown and digestion of protein, and also fibre, which keeps the digestive tract working efficiently. Dietary fibre helps lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Green mangoes have more pectin fibre than ripe mangoes.

The summer might be a good time to lose some weight and the king of fruits, mango, helps in losing weight. Interested in going for the lean look?

Head for some fresh mangoes, for the fruit, is packed with nutrients and is full of fibre. Experts say that mangoes are fleshy and a snack of fresh mangoes is usually helpful in keeping one full. “Mangoes have a high content of beta carotene and rank among the top providers of beta carotene. However, they are also a great source of nutrients in the concentrated form. In order to reduce the consumption of calories, mangoes are a very good choice,” said an expert. Beta carotene is also known to reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer.

To get the right amount of nutrition not too many mangoes need to be consumed. A single fruit is capable of providing almost a day’s supply of Vitamin C to the body. It also helps in making bones stronger since it contains minerals, calcium and magnesium as well as B vitamins. They are also rich in a carotenoid called lycopene, which is an effective antioxidant. In order to lose weight, mangoes can form an important part of the diet however it has to be coupled with other fruits and a complete meal, only after consultation with a nutritionist. Not only losing weight, but daily consumption of mangoes also makes the skin complexion brighter and makes skin softer.

According to the book 'Healing Foods, mango flesh contains prebiotic dietary fibre, which helps feed good bacteria in the gut. A healthy gut is detrimental to a healthy state. A leaky gut, apart from poor digestion results in skin conditions like IBS, asthma, slow metabolism and other health issues.

You would be surprised to know that an average-sized mango contains up to two-thirds of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C. The powerful antioxidant helps boost the immune system and prevents cold/flu.

 Including mangoes in the diet may also help promote your eye health. Mangoes are rich in beta-carotene which helps in the production of Vitamin A. The powerful antioxidant helps improve vision, boosts overall eye health and even prevents age-related macular degeneration or loss of vision.

Eating mangoes could help regulate your cholesterol levels too. The high levels of fibre pectin may help bring down the low-density lipoprotein (LDL or bad cholesterol) which causes plaques in the vessels and blocks blood flow.

Mangoes are filled with skin-friendly vitamin C and Vitamin A, both of which are crucial for healthy skin and skin repair. Mangoes, eaten in moderation are also known to exfoliate and eliminate dead pores. According to Macrobiotic nutritionist and Health Practitioner Shilpa Arora ND, "Mangoes are loaded with skin healing nutrients; for example, the fibre in mangoes cleanses your gut that is overloaded with toxic substances. "Even Diabetics Could Enjoy it. Yes, it is sweet and should be eaten sparingly, but that doesn't make mangoes a strict no-no for diabetics. The glycemic index of mangoes ranges from 41 to 60, with an average of 51. The value of 51 is on the lower end of the glycemic index scale. Foods that are less than 55 are considered to be low glycemic food, which is safe for diabetics to consume. Foods with low glycemic index make sure the release of sugar in the blood is slow, and there is no sudden spike in the blood glucose levels. Besides that, mangoes are also rich in dietary fibres, which again help regulate blood sugar levels.

Mangoes when eaten in moderation could also help in weight loss. The phytochemicals in the mango skin act as natural fat busters. The mango flesh is filled with dietary fibers. Fibers induce a feeling of satiety. On eating high-fiber fruits or veggies you feel full for a longer time, which prevents you from tucking in other high-fattening snacks.

Summers are here and so are mangoes. So what are you waiting for, let the digging begin!