Gloria: The Hidden Secrets of Mangoes: How They Help your Immune & Skin

By Gloria Agugua

It’s May yaay!!!

The season of Mangoes… Have you noticed recently that where 2, 3 or more market women are gathered mangoes are sold there?

Well, I have… and that’s because mangoes are in season.

I decided to take advantage of this mango season to tap into this yummy goodness. You should as well.

Health Benefits

1. Prevents Cancer: 
   Research has shown antioxidant compounds in mango fruit have been found to protect against colon, breast, leukaemia and prostate cancers. These compounds include quercetin, isoquercetin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid and methyl gallat, as well as the abundant enzymes.

2. Lowers Cholesterol: 
   The high levels of fibre, pectin and vitamin C help to lower serum cholesterol level, specifically Low-Density Lipoprotein (the bad stuff).

3. Clears the Skin: 
   Can be used both internally and externally for the skin. Mangoes help clear clogged pores and eliminate pimples.

4. Improves Eye Health: 
   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.

5. Alkalizes the Whole Body:
   The tartaric acid, malic acid, and a trace of citric acid found in the fruit help to maintain the alkali reserve of the body.

6. Improves Digestion: 
   Papayas are not the only fruit that contain enzymes for breaking down protein. There are several fruits, including mangoes, which have this healthful quality. The fibre in mangoes also helps digestion and elimination.

7. Helps Fight Heat Stroke:
   Juicing the fruit from green mango and mixing with water and a sweetener helps to cool down the body and prevent harm from overheating.

From an ayurvedic viewpoint, the reason people often get diuretic and exhausted when visiting equatorial climates is because the strong “sun energy” is burning up your body, particularly the muscles. The kidneys then become overloaded with the toxins from this process.

8. Boosts the Immune System:
   The generous amounts of vitamin C and vitamin A in mangoes, plus 25 different kinds of carotenoids keep your immune system healthy and strong.
   

How to Prepare a Raw Mango for Fancy and Practical Eating

• Hold the mango on its side and cut down on either side of the central seed. You will end with two big “halves” plus the central seed.
• Place each half on the cutting board with peel facing down and cut the exposed flesh in a horizontal and vertical pattern, taking care not to cut too deep through the skin.
• Then invert the whole half to push out the cubes as shown in the photo above.

Mangoes for the Skin:

Externally: 
Just blending up the mango and applying to the face is fast and easy. Mangoes contain beta-carotene, which is converted by your body to vitamin A. That and vitamin C are crucial to skin self-repair.

This Mango Mud Mask has all the benefits of mango plus the exfoliating benefits of oatmeal and almonds.

Internally:
When eating, mangoes can aid in reducing skin problems, including pimples. Extract the large pit or seed from green mangoes. You can eat this seed raw or cooked, or try a recipe like this Cucumber-Mint-Mango Lightness.

Mango Recipes:

• Healthy and refreshing mango desert
• Eggplant and Mango Soba Noodles
• Tropical Mango Banana Pie

Let’s glow up this season with mangoes 🙂