The Benefit of Mango for Human Health
Dr. Martin Hirte
Germany
Mangoes are full packed with vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants
and contain like all fruits very few proteins, fats and calories. They are
perfect to replenish salts, vitamins and energy after physical exercise.
The famous Unani physician Hakeen Hashmi teaches that mangoes strengthens
and invigorates the nerve tissues in muscles, heart and brain and other
parts of the body.
The enzymes of the Mango, such as magneferin, katechol oxidase and lactase,
clean the bowel of the "filth" within and are an ideal antidote for all
toxic effects inside the body. They provide also sufficient resistance to
fight any germs and afflictions.
Hartwell claims in his book "Plants Against Cancer," that the phenols in
mangoes, such as quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid
and methylgallat, as well as the abundant enzymes, have healing and
cancer-preventing capacities. In gall bladder cancer a protective effect of
mango consume has been proven (Pandey).
Mangos contain also a lot of tryptophan, the precursor of the "happiness-hormone" serotonin.
A pap made of Finger millet (Eleusine coracana), kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), peanuts (Arachis hypogoea), and 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 (Mbithi-Mwikya)
Mangiferin from the leaves has been reported to possess antiinflammatory, 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. Mangiferin shows antiviral effect against type I herpes simplex virus which could be useful in anti-herpes ointments (Unani Herbalist).
The bark of the mango tree contains 16 - 20% tannin and also mangiferine. It acts adstringent and is believed to possess a tonic action on the mucous membrane. It is anthelmintic, useful in hemoptysis, hemorrhage, nasal catarrh, diarrhea, ulcers, diphtheria, rheumatism and for lumbrici. It is also used in diphtheria and rheumatism (Unani Herbalist).
The average content of one Mango (250 g) is (comparated with other fruits):
| 1,5 g protein |
| 1 g fat |
| 30 g carbohydrates |
| 3 g ?f this precursor of Vitamin A-carotenes (only muskmelons have more). One Mango supplies more than the daily need o |
| 110 ?g vitamin B1 |
| 125 ?g vitamin B2 (only passion-fruit has more)granadilla and banana have more) |
| 2 mg vitamin B3 (only passion-fruit and guava have more) |
| 90 ?g folic acid(only oranges and grapes have more) |
| 90 mgvitamin C (only orange and papaya have more) |
| 30 mg calcium (only mandarine and orange have more) |
| 45 mgmagnesium (only papaya and babana have more) |
| 1 mgiron (granadilla, grapes, banana, guava and apricots have more) |
| 295 ?g zinc(muskmelon, watermelon, papaya, guava, granadilla and banane have more) |
| 0,5 gpotassium (muskmelon, |
SPECIAL INDICATIONS FOR MANGO CONSUME:
Vitamin A deficiency
The FAO estimates, that about 250 Million people - mainly small children and
pregnant women - are threatened by vitamin A deficiency. Lack of vitamin A
is associated with malnutrition and leads to break down of body defense
and partial or full blindness (Xerophthalmia)
Dysenteria or measles complications
and mortality decreases significantly when vitamin A is given. The WHO
advices the supply of vitamin A in every case of measles.
Vitamin A plays an important role in the development of the placenta and the
foetus. It influences the growth, the metabolism of skin, mucus membranesn,
teeth and retina.
Mango is an excellent natural source for pro-vitamin A; the content rises even
after being picked before ripening (Aina). Improving the consumption of
mangoes would cover the needs of the population in third world countries
(Favaro). The content of carotenes is very high also in the dried fruit, and
retains high levels over at least six months after harvest (Pott).
The FAO and the WHO use three strategies to fight lack of Vitamin
A:
Food fortification - e.g. margarine containing vitamin A in the Philippines
Supplementation: Administration of high-dose vitamin A-capsules twice a year
Food based projects - e.g. in Bangladesh (vines, beans, pumpkins,
bottle-gourds), in Thailand(ivy gourd) an in many African countries (dried
mango slices).
?-Carotenes are a strong antixoidans and scavenges radicals which otherwise
could lead to cancer.
Anamia from lack of iron
The vitamin C in the mango enhances the absorption of iron from vegetable
food like e.g. rice, and so prevents anemia in vegetarians (Ballot)
The following indications are partially adopted from the Unani
medicine system:
Beauty Aids
Taking Mango regularly makes the complexion fair and the skin soft and shining
Bleeding
Because of it's content in Vitamin C and Calcium the Mango tightenes the
capillary vessels and prevents oder cures bleedings of inner parts.
Burns
Burnt ashes of Mango leaves applied on the burnt parts give quick relief
Children's eating soil
Feeding the powder of dried kernel of Mango seeds with fresh water cures the
habit of eating soil in kinds
Diarrhea
Sun dried Mango leaves powdered, 2-3 x a day half a teanspoon with water
Dry cough
Roast a ripe Mango on hot sand in a pan. Sucking the juice of this Mango
eliminates all the bronchial congestion and gives relief in cough. According
to Hakeem Hashmi sucking the juice and not eating cut mangos is better for
health and some note of caution about Mango eating
Fever
Paste of Mango roots applied on palms & soles cures fever
Gall & Kidney Stones
Dried and powdered Mango leaves, 10g a day in water (kept overnight in a
tumbler) helps throwing stones out
Gastritis
In India a decoction of the mango peel is given to people with
inflammation of the stomach mucus membranes.
Mental Weakness over come with mango juice.
Mango contains a lot of glutaminic acid - an important protein for
concentration and memory. Taking _ cup sweet Mango juice with 25 grams curd
and itsp. Ginger juice 2 or 3 times a day controls loose motions. Boil 20
grams powder of Mango bark in a liter of water and reduce it to 250 gram.
Taking this decoction with 1 gram of black salt cures diarrhoea.
Pregnancy
A pregnant woman should eat at least one mango a day - the kalium and
magnesium of the mango relaxes the musles, releaves stress and prevents
abortion.
Teeth Problems
Dried Mango seeds is a good toothpaste, strengthens the gums and helps in
curing dental problems foul smell pyorrhoea
Some say that the fruit which Eva picked from the tree of recognition was a
mango. Couldn't it be like that?
References:
Aina, JO: Physico-chemical changes in African mango (Irvingia gabonensis)
during normal storage ripening. Food Chem 1990, 36:205-212
Ballot D, Baynes RD, Bothwell TH et al: The effects of fruit juices and fruits
on the absorption of iron from a rice meal. Br J Nutr 1987, 57:331-43
Bloem MW, Huq N, Gorstein J, Burger S, Kahn T, Islam N, Baker S, Davidson F:
Production of fruits and vegetables at the homestead is an important source
of vitamin A among women in rural Bangladesh. European Journal of Clinical
Nutrition 1996, 50(3):62
FAO and International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI): Preventing Micronutrient
Malnutrition: A Guide to Food-based Approaches. A manual for policy makers
and porgramme planners. Washington DC 1997, ILSI Press
Favaro RM et al: Enrichment of the diet with synthetic and natural sources of
provitamin A. Arch Latinoam Nutr 1999, 49:34-37
Hartwell J: Plants used against cancer. Lloydia, Massachusetts, 1960
Hashmi Herbs and Spices.
http://www.hashmi.com/mango.html
Mbithi-Mwikya S, Van Camp J, Mamiro PR, Ooghe W, Kolsteren P, Huyghebaert A: :
Evaluation of the nutritional characteristics of a finger millet based
complementary food. J Agric Food Chem 2002 May 8;50(10):3030-6
Pandey M, Shukla VK: Diet and gallbladder cancer: a case-control study. Eur J
Cancer Prev 2002 Aug;11(4):365-8
Pott I, Neidhart S, Mühlbauer W, Carle R: Preservation of essential
micronutrients in mango (mangifera indica l.) and lychee fruits (litchi
chinensis sonn.) by drying. International Symposium Sustaining Food Security
and Managing Natural Resources in Southeast Asia - Challenges for the 21 st
Century - January 8-11, 2002 at Chiang Mai, Thailand.
http://www.uni-hohenheim.de/symposium2002/abstract_po/Abstract_Poster39_Pott.pdf
Simonsohn Barbara: The Mango - a divine fruit. The Sunfood diet and
cuisine, 2000.
http://www.sunfood.net/mangoarticle.html
Unani Herbalist.
http://www.unaniherbalist.com
