Why Mango Is the Perfect Summer Addition to Your Diet

While there are plenty of fruits that we all associate with summer, one fruit that has been referred to as the “king of fruits” is the mango. Mangoes are so much more than a perfectly refreshing summer treat. In fact, they are also extremely healthy with a number of interesting benefits that will have you reaching for them all season long.

Before we get into the benefits of mangoes, I just want to point out that there are a few things that people need to be aware of when it comes to this particular fruit. If you are someone who suffers from an allergy to latex, then you may actually have a reaction to mango because of the anacardic acid found in the fruit, according to Real Food for Life. Another thing to watch out for is the peel of the fruit because people who are susceptible to both poison sumac and ivy may have a reaction due to a chemical that is known as urushiol.

However, if these things are not really a problem for you, then read on to find out exactly why mangoes might be the perfect addition to your summer diet.

Benefits of Mangoes in Your Diet

For the Skin

Mangoes are actually very good for your skin, whether consumed or used topically. No matter how you choose to incorporate mangoes, internally or externally, they can help to clear up skin problems; in particular, they can help to get rid of pimples and even clear out your pores.

When it comes to using mango on the skin, there are any numbers of ways this can be done, including mashing up a fresh mango and using it like a paste on your skin to clear up any problems in a quick and easy manner. There are also do-it-yourself masks and scrubs online that can help you incorporate mango as part of an all-natural skin routine.

For the Eyes

Vitamin A is a very big part of what makes mangoes so good for your health and wellness. The Vitamin A in mangoes is also very good for eye health, and can help to prevent eyes from going dry and even help prevent “night blindness.”

Helps with Diabetes

Mangoes are also high in dietary fiber, which is very beneficial to people who deal with diabetes. Adding mango to your diet can help someone to normalize their levels of insulin. On the glycemic index, mangoes are actually relatively low, which means that this fruit can be consumed without fear of insulin levels spiking. While moderation is always important, this is a fruit that can certainly be indulged with, even as a diabetic.

Aids in Digestion

Mangoes, like some other well-known fruits, can help to promote better digestion. There are enzymes in mango that help to break down proteins in foods, which ultimately help us to digest things easier. Plus, the fiber that helps with diabetes is also very helpful in elimination and digestion.

Improves the Immune System

As mentioned before, mangoes are a very good source of Vitamin A. At the same time they are also a good source of Vitamin C. Together these two vitamins help to boost people’s immune system by keeping it strong and healthy.

Good for Preventing Cancer

It has been said that adding mango to your diet can help prevent cancer because of the fruit’s antioxidant compounds. The compounds that mangoes have that are apparently so beneficial are, “quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid, and methylgallat.” These compounds have been shown to protect people from cancers of the colon, prostate, and breast, although this is something that is likely still being researched, as claims such as this take a very long time to be verified and confirmed.

*There are plenty of reasons to incorporate mangoes into your diet, and while there are plenty of fruits that can also help to improve one’s overall health and well-being, it is always good to know exactly what benefits each fruit can offer you. *

The best way to get the most from mangoes is to of course eat them fresh. However, you can also incorporate mango juice into your routine in order to help get some of the benefits into your diet. No matter how you choose to add mango to your diet, this is definitely a great fruit to snack on throughout the summer.

Image Credit: Marco Verch via Flickr