Mango

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Mango is the most consumed fruit in the world and ranks fifth in the world in terms of cultivation among the main fruit crops in agriculture. This juicy and tasty fruit is ten times more consumed than apples, and even bananas "lose" with a score of 3 to 1 in favor of the mango. Mango (Mangifera indica, Anacardiaceae) is the fruit of the tree of the same name, which reaches 30-40 meters in height.

It is an evergreen and thick deep green leaves and a dense crown, reaching a diameter of 10 meters. The mango is native to India and Southeast Asia, and today grows freely in Pakistan and Bangladesh. There are dozens of varieties of mangoes, the most famous of which are Alfonso, Tommy Atkins and Condo. The fruits vary in size from 5-6 cm in the smallest and over 25 cm in the largest fruits. The big ones mango weigh up to 2-3 kg.

The mango fruit has an oval, pear-shaped or kidney-shaped shape. The color varies between green, yellow, orange-yellow, orange-red, and the taste is usually sweet and fragrant, somewhat reminiscent of peach and pear. The flesh is juicy, with a large flat stone in the middle. Often the mango has large cellulose particles that need to be removed.

Although it is the most consumed fruit in the world and is valued by many peoples because of its huge nutritional composition, mango is still not so popular fruit in Bulgaria. Of course, in our country for years it can be easily found in markets and large supermarkets, but its price is relatively high and is still considered an exotic fruit.

Mango was cultivated in India in the 4-5 century BC. and its cultivation is rapidly covering the whole region. Around the 10th century, the mango was brought to East Africa, and from there it spread to the south. Today, mangoes are grown in all tropical areas of the world. Its image as a super fruit is the reason why it is loved by millions of people around the world.

It is widely used in cooking and cosmetics. Nowadays the main ones mango producers and exporters for Europe are China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Bangladesh, and India's production is to meet its own needs. Half of the world's fruit production is mango.

Mango composition

The mango is rich in content of sodium, beta carotene, B vitamins and vitamin E, vitamins C and provitamin A (beta-carotene). It contains calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and copper and almost all minerals and vitamins that make it practically a "super fruit". Mango is free of saturated fat and cholesterol. The antioxidants in mango are huge.

The fruits are rich in phytochemicals with high antioxidant potential: carotenoids (alpha and beta-carotene, lutein), polyphenols (quercetin), flavonoids (kaempferol), gallic acid, tannins, ketahins, caffeic acid. This fruit contains the xanthone derivative mangiferin, which is not common.

The mango has a moderate glycemic index (56) and a low glycemic index (5). 81% of the fruit is water, as mango is quite rich in carbohydrates (94%), fat is 3%, and 3% protein. In a few words - the mango is one of the most complete food for a person, which provides him with everything he needs. Consumption of one mango covers the daily requirement of vital vitamin A.

Selection and storage of mango

Mango fruits are usually picked while still green and unevenly colored. When choosing a mango, be careful not to choose an injured fruit. It should be semi-soft, with a smooth surface. The presence of black spots is a sign that the mango is overripe. The green spots suggest that the fruit is still green. In this case, it is good to leave it at room temperature until it is fully ripe. Ripe mango fruits are stored in the refrigerator for up to several days. The fruit itself is good to eat fresh and slightly chilled. First the skin should be peeled, and then the flesh should be cut from the bone.

Mango in cooking

Mango is also deeply rooted in cooking, especially in East Asian countries. It is used to prepare various and delicious purees, sauces, creams, sorbets. The jam and mango jam have a unique taste. Not infrequently mango is added to various salads or dishes with meat and fish. In India with mangoes are prepared delicious sauces and chutneys. The Indians pay special homage to this fruit. They believe that the mango brings good luck and that is why during the holidays people in India decorate the doors of their houses with mango leaves tied to each other.

Benefits of mango

Useful vitamins, minerals and trace elements convert mango in an excellent healer. It is no coincidence that it is called the King of Fruits - in addition to being very tasty, mango is also extremely good for health. In the following lines we will look at some key benefits of this exotic fruit.

Mango has been shown to improve kidney and gastrointestinal function. Huge amounts of vitamin A protect the skin from harmful external influences and keep it fresh and smooth. In addition, regular consumption of the fruit helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels and protects against cardiovascular disease.

A number of studies indicate that mango normalizes blood pressure. Mango does not contain saturated fat and cholesterol, which makes it an excellent helper in the fight against weight. There is even a mango diet. The fruit has excellent saturating properties, but it should not be overdone because it is rich in carbohydrates.

Mango juice can be mixed with various other fruit and even vegetable juices. The fruit liquid has a relaxing, refreshing and diuretic effect. It is suitable for cardiovascular diseases, mental and physical fatigue, anemia, liver and kidney diseases. Has the ability to increase appetite.

It has also been proven that mango contains substancesthat protect the body from becoming infected with listeriosis infection, scientists have found.

Listeriosis is a disease of mammals and birds that affects their nervous system or internal organs. Infection with it occurs through food of animal origin and vegetables. Tannin compounds, which are also found in grape seeds, block various pathogenic strains of bacteria, including listeria, a potentially dangerous bacterium that infects meat.

Mango is very useful for beautification as it cleanses the skin. It can be taken both internally and applied in the form of various face masks. Removes unpleasant enlarged pores and pimples. Mango stimulates the synthesis of collagen, which is known to begin to decline progressively after the age of 25.

Mango is believed to support libido. This property is due to the rich amount of vitamin E, which is known to increase sexual desire.

Mango is one of the fruits that contains enzymes that have the ability to break down protein. Thus it helps to stimulate digestion and reduce stomach discomfort.

Freshly squeezed mango juice, combined with water and a little sweetener is an excellent drink on hot summer days, as it quenches thirst and prevents overheating of the body and heat stroke.

Mango is rich in important antioxidants that protect against a number of cancers - colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and leukemia.

The fruit has an excellent effect on eye health. Just one cup of chopped mango provides about 25% of the required dose of vitamin A - the vitamin of good eyesight.

Harms from mangoes

In practice, there is no harm from consuming mangoes. Problems can only occur in people who suffer from allergies, diabetes, obesity and dyspepsia.

Mango should not be consumed in combination with milk or alcohol because it can disrupt digestion and even cause a disorder. There should be an interval of at least 2 hours between the consumption of mango and these products.

Excessive amounts of mango can irritate the lining of the stomach. In some cases, there is an allergy to the skin of the fetus. If skin irritation occurs, it is best to use gloves when peeling the fruit. This will avoid any irritation.