An Excellent Source of Betacarotene, Vitamin C and Fiber
Oct 16, 2008 Fiona Wilkinson
Low in calories and high in dietary fiber, mangoes are packed with vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. Recent studies suggest they are also powerful cancer-fighters.
Originally from India, mangos have been around for over 4,000 years. According to legend, Buddha found peace in a mango grove. In modern day India, mangoes are considered a symbol of life.
Mangoes are one of the best sources of betacarotene, quercetin and astragalin. These are powerful antioxidants that neutralise free radicals. Free radicals can damage cells and lead to heart disease, cancer, premature aging and degenerative diseases.
Vitamin Powerhouse
One small mango provides a quarter of your recommended daily allowance for vitamin C, nearly two thirds of your daily quota for vitamin A, good amounts of vitamin E and fibre. They also contain vitamin K, phosphorus and magnesium. Mangoes are particularly rich in potassium which can help reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
Pectin Lowers Cancer Risk
Mangoes also contain pectin, a soluble dietary fiber, which has been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels. Recently, scientists at The Institute for Food Research, discovered that a fragment released from pectin binds to, and inhibits galectin 3, a protein that plays a role in all stages of cancer progression. Other population studies, including the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer, have identified a strong link between eating lots of fibre and a lower risk of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract.
Low Calorie
Mangoes are a considered a ‘high volume’ food which means you get a lot of food for a relatively small amount of calories – one mango contains around 135 calories. However, they are quite high in natural sugar with one mango containing around 30g.
No comments:
Post a Comment