Monday, January 2, 2012

Healthy benefits of mango

Mangoes are full packed with vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants and contain like all fruits very few proteins, fats and calories.

Mango are an excellent sources of carotenes, vitamin C and copper, providing 184 percent of the daily value of vitamin A, 61 percent of the daily value of vitamin C, and 20 percent of the daily value of copper in 165 grams of sliced fruits.

Vitamin A can be stored by the body in the liver. The body then will utilize vitamin A, especially during times of infection and viruses.

Studies have demonstrated that polyphenolic compounds of mango fruit include various flavonoids, xanthones, phenolic acids and gallotannins.

Mangos contain also a lot of tryptophan, the precursor of the "happiness-hormone" serotonin. What is tryptophan. Tryptophan is one of the 20 standard amino acids, as well as an essential amino acid in the human diet.

It is encoded in genetic code as the codon UGG. Only the L-stereoisomer of tryptophan is used in structural or enzyme proteins, but the D-stereoisomer is occasionally found in naturally produced peptides (for example, the marine venom peptide contryphan). The distinguishing structural characteristic of tryptophan is that it contains an indole functional group.

There is also human evidence that demonstrates that mangoes can help fight cancer. There is a studies shows that mango consumption was correlated with 60 percent reduction in the of gallbladder cancer.

Mango (Mangifera indica) has been proven to be a good complementary food for children of weaning age. It meets the vitamin and energy requirements of children of 6-24 months of age at three servings a day and at the FAO average breast-feeding frequency.

The mango also offer some protection against infections. Mangiferin commonly used as antioxidant for medical purposes.

Mangiferin from the leaves has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, diuretic, chloretic and cardiotonic activities and displays a high antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria. It has been recommended as a drug in preventing dental plaques.

Study conducted in Mexico shown that mango found to eliminate giardia, an organism responsible for many cases of what has been dubbed ‘traveler’s diarrhea’.

Mangiferin shows antiviral effect against type I herpes simplex virus which could be useful in anti-herpes ointments.

The bark of the mango tree contains 16 - 20% tannin and also mangiferine. It acts ad stringent and is believed to possess a tonic action on the mucous membrane.

It is anathematic, useful in hemoptysis, hemorrhage, nasal catarrh, diarrhea, ulcers, diphtheria, rheumatism and for lumbrici. It is also used in diphtheria and rheumatism.

Because of their high iron content, mangos are used as blood builders and are suggested for the treatment of anemia.
Healthy benefits of mango

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