Often known as the ‘King of Fruits’, mango is not just a celebrated fruit that resounds with its sweet happiness and festive atmosphere. The fruit also has a special place in Ayurveda. It finds a mention in Sanskrit literature archives that date back almost 6,000 years, including the Ramayana. So, what makes this fruit extra special, and what are mango benefits according to Ayurveda? Does it really help you get healthier? This article will share all this and more.
What Are Some Ayurveda-Based Benefits of Mango?
Ayurveda is one of the world’s most ancient healing and medicinal systems. Translating to the ‘science of life, Ayurveda places a lot of emphasis on the role of diet in one’s life along with the right thinking and lifestyle. It does not just tell us which fruits to eat, but also the correct way to eat them to gain their health benefit.
Mango is a ‘super fruit’ according to Ayurveda that has incredible phytochemical and pharmacological activities and has been used in Ayurvedic medicines for thousands of years. And not just the fruit, these medicinal properties even extend to the other parts of the mango plant. This includes its bark, roots, and leaves.
According to a journal published in Pharmacognosy Review, here are some of the most important benefits of including mango in your routine.
Mango Is Anti-Diabetic
Contrary to the popular notion, because of its sweet taste, that mango is not good for diabetics, it actually is beneficial, especially its leaves. Mango leaf extracts are rich in pectin, fiber, and vitamin C. They are also abundant in antioxidants, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids.
These help boost insulin synthesis and allow your body to distribute glucose properly. This keeps your sugar levels in check. Regular consumption of mango leaves also prevents and reduces the discomforting symptoms of diabetes. These include frequent urination and fatigue.
It Helps Reduce Cholesterol
Every person needs some levels of cholesterol to build cell membranes, regulate hormones, and boost metabolism. However, excess cholesterol in the body increases one’s risk of heart disease.
As the Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases Journal verifies, mango contains a good amount of fiber along with potassium and magnesium. This helps lower the levels of lipoprotein cholesterol in the body leading to better cardiovascular health.
Treats Diarrhoea
Not just mango leaves and pulp, but its bark also has excellent medicinal properties. It contains antibacterial and anti-malarial properties that help in treating diarrhea. It also helps in reducing the discomforting symptoms of conditions such as bleeding piles and menorrhea. All you need to do is to boil the bark and extract the water for drinking.
Aids Good Digestion
A robust digestive system is essential for extracting nutrients from foods and allowing the body cells to repair and gain energy. According to Ayurveda, mango is one of the best fruits to remove excess acidity. That’s not all; being a rich source of fiber, it keeps your digestive tract working efficiently.
Supports Eye Health
According to Ayurveda, mango is abundant in vitamin A. In fact, eating a mango can meet almost 30 percent of your vitamin A requirements. This helps protect your cornea’s strength and delays the progression of cataracts.
Mangoes also strengthen your nighttime vision and reduce dry eye syndrome. Use the best ayurvedic herb to beat the heat.
What Are Some Precautions That Need To Be Kept in Mind?
All these health benefits might want you to consume mangoes even more. However, you need to keep in mind what Ayurvedic experts say about the precautions, dosage, and side effects of overdosing on mangoes.
- Always soak the mangoes for at least 30 minutes before consuming them. This helps in removing excess phytic acid. This in turn allows nutrients to be absorbed better in the body.
- The best way to consume mango is to eat it whole.
- Instead of coupling it with meals, eat it alone as breakfast or a midmeal snack.
Here are some precautions that you need to keep in mind while consuming mangoes:
- Since mangoes contain high amounts of fiber, consuming mangoes in excess may cause gastrointestinal upset or diarrhoea.
- They contain high amounts of sugar. If you are a patient with diabetes, consume mangoes only after talking to your doctor.
- Some people have complained of mango-related allergies. Some symptoms include runny nose, stomach pain, wheezing, or difficulty in breathing. Get yourself tested for allergies and consume mangoes only if you are cleared of these allergies.
- If you are trying to lose weight, according to Ayurveda, you must consume whole mangoes. Avoid drinking smoothies and mango shakes with excess sugar.
To avoid these side effects, it is best to limit the consumption of mango to two cups a day.
How Mango Can Be Eaten Deliciously?
There are several ways to enjoy the goodness of a mango. The best way is to cut a mango and enjoy its sweet pulp directly. Besides this, ripe mangoes can be used in many other ways. These include:
- Make a fresh mango smoothie. Just add pieces of ripe mango with yogurt and sugar in a blender to make a delicious and refreshing summertime drink.
- For all those hot summer days, enjoy mango pops. Puree pieces of mango in a blender. Put this mix in an ice cube tray and a popsicle stick to each cube. Freeze and enjoy as ice cream.
- Add mango pieces to your pancakes or waffles.
- You can make a deliciously tangy salsa using green mangoes to pair with your chips and tacos. All you need to do is to combine mango pieces with chopped red onions, bell peppers, lime, cilantro, and jalapeno.
- Use pureed mangoes as a drizzle over your low-fat ice cream or frozen yogurt to give it a decadent tropical twist.
- Slice and freeze small mango slices. Add them to your cup of tea for a fresh burst of flavours.
- Add them to your breakfast parfait. Just layer low-fat yogurt with granola, nuts, and mangoes, and enjoy chilled.
Conclusion
We bet that all these amazing health benefits and delicious recipes will make you want to reach out for that extra mango! While indulging yourself once in a while is fine, don’t make that a habit. Keep the precautions and dosage guidelines in mind to enjoy this tasty fruit without any of the side effects that come from its over-consumption.
