Mango - King of Fruits

Mango - Mangifera indica is the national fruit of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Philippines. It belongs to the anacardiacea family of class magnoliopsida (dicots) of plants. Other members of the same family are cashews and pistachios. Mango is one of the most delicious fruits around and it is truly the “King of Fruits”. A tropical and sub-tropical plant, it can reach a height of 30 – 90 feet and comes in as many as 1000 varieties. Mangoes are indigenous to south and South East Asia, but they are now also grown in Mexico, southern states of USA, Central America, South America, Carribean, Philippines, Indonesia and many countries of Africa.

The mango tree lives for a long time, some species fruit even after 300 years. The flowers are produced in terminal panicles 1- 40 cm. long; each flower is small and white with 5 petals (5-10 mm. long), with a mild sweet odor. The fruit takes 3 to 6 months to ripe. Alphonso, Benishan, and Kesar varieties are considered among the best mangoes in India’s southern states, while Dusseri and Langra are most popular in Northern India. Pakistan has many more delicious varieties such as Anwar Ratol, Langra, Dusseri, Sindhri, Zafran, Bengan Pali, Chausa, Siroli. They are all delicious and very popular. Mangoes are exported to all of Europe, Middle East and various other countries. These varieties are in high demand.

Mango is considered a high volume food which means you get a lot of food for a relatively small amount of calories. They are low in calories and high in dietary fibers. This is the most extensively used fruit for food, juice, flavor, fragrance, and color. It has been used in various forms of food, right from smoothies and ice cream to pickles and chutneys! Mangoes contain phenolic compounds which act as powerful antioxidants and anti-cancer agents. They are high in iron. Pregnant women and people with anemia are recommended to eat this fruit regularly. They help in relieving the clogged pores of the skin, and are also valuable in combating acidity and poor digestion. Mango is high in antioxidants and low in carbohydrates. It is a rich source of Vitamin A (beta-carotene), Vit.E, Vit.C , selenium, niacin, quercitin, and astragalin. Mangoes also provide Vit. K, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, and glutamine which is known as a memory booster.

Take care of your health with knowledge. Health is real wealth as they say.

My next article will be on another important fruit, Pomegranate. Till then, Adios!

Blessings,

Ali M. Jafri, Ph.D.