The benefits and harms of mango for women and men – how to eat it?

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Exotic fruits have become very popular among consumers these days. Besides their unusual taste, they boast beneficial properties. Mango is in great demand – not only is this fruit delicious, but its many health benefits have been proven, as it contains vitamins and minerals essential for women and men of all ages, including children. Considered an aphrodisiac, it is recommended for improving both male and female sexual health.

This exotic fruit originates from India, where it is considered a sacred plant. The fruit requires a lot of heat to ripen, so this evergreen plant grows only in tropical and subtropical climates. It is now grown in many warm regions of the world with suitable climates, such as South Asia, Latin America, Spain, and the Canary Islands.

Chemical composition of mango and its beneficial properties

Mangoes are oval-shaped. Their color ranges from red and yellow to green (depending on the variety). The flesh is juicy, fleshy, and fibrous, bright orange. The taste is reminiscent of both peach and pineapple. There are over 70 known varieties. However, most are forage crops and are not suitable for human consumption. Such fruits are not even picked from the tree.

Only certain varieties are specially grown to stock store shelves with tasty and healthy products. They contain a huge number of nutrients essential for human health:

  • micro- and macroelements (potassium, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, magnesium, iron, copper and manganese);
  • amino acids (including essential ones);
  • carotenoids;
  • proteins;
  • fats;
  • carbohydrates (more than 11%);
  • fiber;
  • vitamin complex (vitamin C, A, B, K, D and PP).
Calorie content and nutritional value of mango
Calorie content and nutritional value of mango

Furthermore, the leaves and peel of the fruit contain tannins, which have medicinal properties. The seeds yield a special chemical called mangosteen, which is used as an antipyretic. This composition determines the fruit's overall beneficial properties:

  1. High nutritional value. 100 g of the product contains approximately 65 kcal.
  2. Cleansing the body.
  3. Acceleration of metabolism.
  4. Stimulates bowel function. The fiber found in the pulp improves digestive tract function. This helps with both constipation and diarrhea.
  5. Boosts immune defense. It contains even more vitamin C than lemons and oranges. This vitamin is known to boost immunity and vitality. Therefore, the fruit should be consumed to prevent colds, flu, and infectious diseases, especially during the cold season.
  6. Improved vision. The fruit contains vitamin A and beta-carotene. Therefore, regular consumption is an excellent preventative for eye diseases, eliminating dryness and fatigue.

    Beneficial properties
    Beneficial properties
  7. Antiseptic properties.
  8. Positive effect on the nervous system.
  9. Lowering sugar levels. Eating mangoes can help improve the condition of people with diabetes.
  10. Improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system, preventing hypertension and atherosclerosis.
  11. Strengthening the musculoskeletal system.
  12. Anticancer action.
  13. Reducing the risk of kidney stones.

Mango also helps prevent heatstroke during the hot season. It cools the body, hydrates it, and maintains normal sodium levels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4YLlR1nEyA

The benefits of mango for a woman's body

Mango brings enormous benefits to women. Its main effects are:

  • prevention of anemia during menstruation, when the body needs iron;
  • prevention of constipation;
  • diuretic effect;
  • improving the functioning of the nervous system, preventing stress and nervous breakdowns.

Mango is also a powerful aphrodisiac. Therefore, its consumption can enhance sexual desire and improve sensations during intercourse.

Good to know!
It brings maximum benefit to the female body during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and is an indispensable component of a dietary menu.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

Doctors recommend eating mangoes during pregnancy due to their beneficial properties:

  • Iron helps to cope with anemia;
  • Vitamin C supports immunity;
  • Folic acid supports proper development and reduces the risk of congenital defects in the fetus;
  • Vitamin A helps prevent infectious diseases and vision problems.
Mango
Mango also has choleretic and diuretic properties, which helps pregnant women cope with swelling.

During lactation, a woman needs the vitamins and microelements found in this fruit, and so does her baby. However, it's important to remember that exotic fruits often trigger allergic reactions. Therefore, a nursing mother should avoid overindulging in this product and consult with a doctor before consuming it. Initially, you can eat no more than one small piece. If your baby develops a rash or other allergic reactions, you should eliminate this product from your diet.

For weight loss

Mango is recommended for those who want to lose extra pounds. The following factors contribute to this:

  1. The fruit has a caloric content of no more than 70 kcal per 100 g. At the same time, it contains a large amount of carbohydrates, which saturate the body.
  2. It contains dietary fiber, which reduces appetite and improves digestion.
  3. Certain chemicals found in the fruit act as natural solvents for fatty tissue.
Mango
To enhance the weight loss effect, the fruit should be consumed with low-fat dairy or fermented milk products.

They enrich the body with important proteins, which, combined with carbohydrates from mango, help to lose excess weight.

For rejuvenation of the body and skin

The fruits contain antioxidants. They neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals, which contribute to the development of degenerative processes, as well as heart disease and tumors. It's also important to saturate the body with vitamins (especially vitamins A, C, and E) to maintain youthful and beautiful skin and hair, and to improve vision.

Mango offers numerous benefits for the skin. Thanks to its content of vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and carotenoids, the fruit is considered the elixir of youth. Its main effects on the skin include:

  • gives it softness and elasticity;
  • nourishes and moisturizes;
  • stops the appearance of wrinkles;
  • promotes healing of minor wounds;
  • restores lipid metabolism;
  • regenerates damaged cells;
  • stops the negative effects of free radicals.
Please note!
Daily mango consumption is especially important for women over 35. They especially need timely prevention of rapid aging.

In cosmetology

Mango extract or oil is also frequently used in cosmetology. They are used to create various masks, nourishing facial creams, and hair care products. Facial cream nourishes, moisturizes, and regenerates the skin. Masks and shampoos containing mango promote:

  • strengthening hair;
  • restoring their natural shine and elasticity;
  • preventing split ends;
  • disappearance of dandruff;
  • restoration of skin functions, which enhances hair growth and prevents the appearance of gray hair.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2dEz7Zwmog

Scrubs and peels containing mango pulp or crushed seeds are also very popular. They remove dead skin cells, soften rough areas, and prevent stretch marks.

Features of fruit use for men

Men should include this exotic fruit in their diet for several reasons, including:

  1. The trace elements contained in the fruits (manganese, copper, zinc and selenium) help improve male reproductive function.
  2. The combination of beta-carotene and vitamin E improves sperm quality and protects male reproductive cells from damage.
  3. Mango is considered an aphrodisiac. Its consumption enhances sexual desire, improves and prolongs sexual intercourse.
  4. The composition contains vitamins and zinc, which increase potency and improve erectile function.

    Mango
    Regular use prevents the development of prostatitis and other urinary tract diseases.
  5. The B vitamins in the composition will help normalize the psycho-emotional background and prevent depression and apathy.
  6. Cardiovascular diseases tend to appear earlier in men than in women. Potassium, magnesium, and other minerals strengthen the heart muscle and blood vessels and prevent the development of varicose veins.
Note!
Regular consumption of mango in combination with other fruits (pineapples, bananas, apples, kiwi) prevents the occurrence of diseases of the reproductive and urinary systems.

Selecting, storing, and eating mangoes

It's crucial to select and store fruit properly. Unripe fruit can have a negative impact on the human body. Improper storage quickly neutralizes the vitamin complex.

Fresh fruits

There are many varieties of mangoes. Therefore, it's impossible to say for sure whether a mango with red or green skin will be ripe. Sometimes a mango that appears green on the outside may be ripe and juicy on the inside. The following signs can help determine the quality and ripeness of the fruit:

  1. The fruit should have a smooth, shiny skin. Color doesn't matter.
  2. The fruit should be firm and not dent when pressed.
  3. The fruit size varies from 10 to 20 cm in length, its weight is about 300 g.
  4. A mango should have a pleasant, pine-like, fruity aroma. If it smells sour or turpentine, it's spoiled. Unripe fruits have no aroma at all.

Often, unripe fruits appear on store shelves. To ripen them, wrap them in paper or a light, breathable fabric and leave them in a dark place at room temperature for several days.

Fresh mangoes and juice are undoubtedly the healthiest. They contain the greatest amount of nutrients. These products should be stored in the refrigerator, but not for long—no more than 5 days.

Dried fruits

When choosing dried mangoes, look for pale, wrinkled, and natural-looking ones. If the fruit pieces are bright and dense, sulfur dioxide, dyes, or vegetable oils may have been used during the drying process. Mango pulp is often dried by pre-simmering it in sugar syrup.

However, this type of processing results in the loss of most vitamins and nutrients. While this product is certainly delicious, it offers little nutritional benefit. Eating large quantities of this delicacy can cause problems, including stomach and intestinal problems, oral and pharyngeal diseases, and tooth decay.

Dried mango
Dried mango

At home, mangoes can be dried with maximum preservation of nutrients using a convection dryer or oven:

  1. The fruit is peeled and cut into slices of about 20 mm.
  2. The pieces are laid out in an oven or dehydrator container so that they do not touch.
  3. If drying in the oven, it is important to keep the door slightly open to prevent the fruit from baking.
  4. The temperature is set at 40°C for the first few hours, then increased to 50°C. This will take approximately 12-14 hours.

Compatibility with other products and medications

Mango can be eaten with any fruit, berries, and even vegetables. It's often added to fruit salads, desserts, and even used to make flavorful ice cream. The fruit adds a special piquant flavor to meat dishes. It's often paired with dairy and fermented milk products.

Unripe fruits are used to make the exotic spice amchur. It has a sweet and sour taste and is used in meat marinades, as a seasoning for various dishes, and to flavor and impart a fruity flavor to cocktails.

Amchur seasoning
Amchur seasoning

Mango can be safely consumed while taking any medication. The only drawback is that this fruit is an allergen. Therefore, it is sometimes impossible to determine with certainty whether the reaction is caused by eating the fruit or taking the medication.

Contraindications and harm of mango for the body

Despite all its beneficial properties, mango can be harmful to the body. Therefore, it should not be consumed if you have certain contraindications or restrictions:

  1. Allergic reactions to cashews and pistachios. Mangoes are related to these nuts, so if you have an allergy to them, you should avoid the fruit. If you're trying the fruit for the first time, you can only have one piece. If you experience a negative reaction such as a rash or runny nose, it's best to stop eating it.
  2. Combination with alcoholic beverages often leads to digestive upset and deterioration of a person's well-being.
  3. Problems with kidney function.

    Mango
    The fruits contain a huge amount of potassium, the removal of which requires increased kidney function.
  4. Pancreatitis. High levels of organic acids can exacerbate inflammation in the pancreas and cause dysfunction.
  5. Pregnancy. During pregnancy, the fruit is beneficial in small quantities. It contains large amounts of vitamin A, an excess of which can lead to fetal defects.
  6. Eating unripe fruit is also not recommended. It can cause significant gastrointestinal problems, including colic, constipation, and indigestion. This is often accompanied by abdominal pain and, in severe cases, fever.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct way to eat mango?
The fruit should be peeled and pitted before consumption. It is not recommended to eat more than two medium-sized fruits at a time, as they are difficult to digest.
Can it be combined with dairy products?
Combining mango and fermented milk products creates not only a delicious but also a very healthy dish. These products complement each other in flavor and nutritional value.
How to use in cooking to preserve vitamins?
Fresh fruits contain the greatest amount of vitamins. Any heat treatment causes them to lose some of their vitamin content. Therefore, it's best to add fresh fruit to sauces, salads, or desserts.
Can it be combined with alcohol?
Combining the fruit with alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited. This can lead to digestive problems and other negative effects.

Mango is an exotic tropical fruit. It contains vitamins and other beneficial substances essential for promoting human health and preventing many diseases. It is recommended to eat only ripe mangoes; unripe ones can cause digestive upsets.

Mango
Comments to the article: 2
  1. Materinstvo.Info

    Ripe mangoes are beneficial because their chemical composition is fully formed. Women need to eat this fruit to combat anemia and prevent the disease. Eating mangoes is especially beneficial during the menstrual cycle, when the body experiences a significant iron deficiency.

    Answer
  2. Pohudet.Guru

    Our whole family loves mangoes, but they're not cheap and we can't eat them often. So, I think they won't do us any harm and will give us a few vitamins! Although, when we were on vacation, we ate plenty of mangoes and I didn't experience any digestive discomfort!

    Answer
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