A Mango A Day Keeps the Doctor Away

The sweet yellow flesh of the mango is the most widely consumed fruit in the world. Not only is mango delicious, it also has many health benefits. Mangoes are packed full of nutrients, containing over 20 different vitamins and minerals and just one cup of mango provides you with 100% of your daily vitamin C intake. Eating mango regularly will help to keep you healthy.

Fight Cancer

Mangoes are both high in pectin and the antioxidant beta-carotene which are known to decrease the risk of cancer. Studies have shown that a diet rich in beta-carotene appears to play a protective role against prostate cancer and also reduce the risk of colon cancer. Moreover, food scientists have tested mango extracts on various cancers and found that mango had a positive impact on all cancers tested, especially breast and colon cancers. To take advantage of the positive impact of mango on cancer, try a daily mango smoothie, incorporating other fruits such as raspberries or strawberries for variety.

Good For Your Brain

Eating mango salsa alongside your tacos is good for your brain! Mangoes are full of vitamin B6 which is a key part of maintaining and improving brain function by helping your brain to produce neurotransmitters which contribute to better mood and sleeping patterns. Studies in the Journal of Nutrition have shown that low levels of B6 are linked to poor memory and attention. Mangoes also contain glutamine acid which improves concentration and memory. Other great brain foods include blueberries, tomatoes and pumpkin seeds.

Mango Leaves And Diabetes

One cup of mango will provide 12% of your daily intake of dietary fiber, proven to improve blood sugar levels for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Add some mango chutney next time you have Indian food or, even better, how about a savory mango and cashew curry? But it isn’t just the juicy yellow flesh of the mango that is good for you. A 2010 study found that the extract from mango leaves have proved to have blood sugar-lowering properties which have a positive effect of diabetes. Soak the leaves in a cup of water overnight, strain and drink in the morning.

Not only is mango delicious, it is good for you too. Daily servings of mango, a versatile fruit that can be eaten in both sweet and savory dishes, will help reduce the risk of cancer, improve brain function and combat diabetes.

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