The Mango Fruit
Despite being a member of the Anacardiaceae family (as are poison ivy and poison oak) and therefore producing the irritating chemical urushiol, the mango has a much better reputation than its renowned rash-inducing relatives. Most people do not come in contact with mango vines or tree sap, harboring high urushiol concentrations, and only a few susceptible individuals react negatively to mango skin; therefore, a majority of the population has everything to gain and nothing to lose by eating the nutritious and delicious mango. The several ways it is credited with improving health include the following:
Cancer Destroyer
Although it has substantially fewer antioxidants than the acai berry or pomegranate, its high fiber and vitamin C content together with its several phenols and enzymes give the mango promising anti-carcinogenic properties.
Consuming pectin, the form of fiber found in mangoes, lowers the risk of developing gastrointestinal cancers. Vitamin C protects against free radical damage, also reducing cancer risk. When colon and breast cancer cells were exposed to mango extract (containing the active ingredient gallotannin, a polyphenol) by Texas AgrLife scientists, the cells stopped growing and dividing and began to systematically die. Because the division of these cells was halted, scientists believe mangoes may prevent cancers by interrupting the process by which mutant cells proliferate to form cancerous growths.
Texas AgrLife scientists also determined that mangoes have negative effects on lung, leukemia, and prostate cancer cells; however, not as strong an effect as on colon and breast cancer cells.
Consuming pectin, the form of fiber found in mangoes, lowers the risk of developing gastrointestinal cancers. Vitamin C protects against free radical damage, also reducing cancer risk. When colon and breast cancer cells were exposed to mango extract (containing the active ingredient gallotannin, a polyphenol) by Texas AgrLife scientists, the cells stopped growing and dividing and began to systematically die. Because the division of these cells was halted, scientists believe mangoes may prevent cancers by interrupting the process by which mutant cells proliferate to form cancerous growths.
Texas AgrLife scientists also determined that mangoes have negative effects on lung, leukemia, and prostate cancer cells; however, not as strong an effect as on colon and breast cancer cells.
Flat Blaster
Scientists at the University of Queensland analyzed the peels of different mango varieties and found that a few (the Irwin and Nam Doc Mai) contained bioactives with the ability to inhibit fat cell development.
In another experiment by the University of Yaounde, 102 overweight individuals were given either mango seed extract or a placebo two times a day over a ten week period; the placebo group lost virtually no weight, while those given the extract lost an average of 28 pounds. Scientists found that ingredients in the mango seed altered the metabolism of these individuals and reduced their overall body fat production.
In another experiment by the University of Yaounde, 102 overweight individuals were given either mango seed extract or a placebo two times a day over a ten week period; the placebo group lost virtually no weight, while those given the extract lost an average of 28 pounds. Scientists found that ingredients in the mango seed altered the metabolism of these individuals and reduced their overall body fat production.
Cholesterol Reducer
This same Yaounde University study showed promising effects on cholesterol as well; the participants receiving mango seed extract not only lost weight but experienced reductions in LDL cholesterol levels.
In addition to the cholesterol reducing effects of the mango seed, extracts from mango plant leaves containing mangiferin have similarly proven beneficial. Laboratory animals exhibited lower levels of overall cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) coupled with increases in HDL cholesterol (the good kind) after being administered mangiferin-rich extracts for 28 days.
Mango has also been studied extensively in combination with other fruits and herbs. When laboratory animals fed a high-fat diet were given mango extract along with Hawthorn herb, expected increases in cholesterol levels did not occur. When combined with gooseberry, mango sped up the rate at which cholesterol was broken down and eliminated from the body.
In addition to the cholesterol reducing effects of the mango seed, extracts from mango plant leaves containing mangiferin have similarly proven beneficial. Laboratory animals exhibited lower levels of overall cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) coupled with increases in HDL cholesterol (the good kind) after being administered mangiferin-rich extracts for 28 days.
Mango has also been studied extensively in combination with other fruits and herbs. When laboratory animals fed a high-fat diet were given mango extract along with Hawthorn herb, expected increases in cholesterol levels did not occur. When combined with gooseberry, mango sped up the rate at which cholesterol was broken down and eliminated from the body.
Blood Pressure Normalizer
This same Yaounde University study showed promising effects on cholesterol as well; the participants receiving mango seed extract not only lost weight but experienced reductions in LDL cholesterol levels.
In addition to the cholesterol reducing effects of the mango seed, extracts from mango plant leaves containing mangiferin have similarly proven beneficial. Laboratory animals exhibited lower levels of overall cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) coupled with increases in HDL cholesterol (the good kind) after being administered mangiferin-rich extracts for 28 days.
Mango has also been studied extensively in combination with other fruits and herbs. When laboratory animals fed a high-fat diet were given mango extract along with Hawthorn herb, expected increases in cholesterol levels did not occur. When combined with gooseberry, mango sped up the rate at which cholesterol was broken down and eliminated from the body.
In addition to the cholesterol reducing effects of the mango seed, extracts from mango plant leaves containing mangiferin have similarly proven beneficial. Laboratory animals exhibited lower levels of overall cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) coupled with increases in HDL cholesterol (the good kind) after being administered mangiferin-rich extracts for 28 days.
Mango has also been studied extensively in combination with other fruits and herbs. When laboratory animals fed a high-fat diet were given mango extract along with Hawthorn herb, expected increases in cholesterol levels did not occur. When combined with gooseberry, mango sped up the rate at which cholesterol was broken down and eliminated from the body.
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