Sweet and juicy mangoes have a long history of appreciation by humans. The first documented references to mangoes are in Hindu writings that date back to about 4000 B.C. Mango is considered sacred in some places because it is said that Buddha meditated under a mango tree.
Requiring a warm climate, mango is primarily grown in equatorial regions including Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Guatemala, and Haiti.
Mangoes are sweet, tasty, and exotic. They are also quite nutritious. But eating a mango every day might not be the best choice, especially for people with certain conditions including diabetes and arthritis.
We’ll break down the bad and the good of daily mango consumption so that you can make the best choice for you:
1. You’ll get a ton of sugar
Each mango has approximately 45.9 grams of sugars – which make up almost the full amount of its 50.33 grams of carbohydrates. The main type of sugar in mango is fructose.
Fructose can only be digested by the liver, and too much puts a strain on this vital organ. It can lead to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.
2. You’ll get good nutrition
If you are not sensitive to the allergenic compounds in mangoes and eat them as part of a balanced diet, they are actually quite healthy. Mango contains a ton of vitamin C, which plays a part in immune system function, building strong connective tissue, and maintaining healthy blood vessel walls.
3. Unripe mangoes cause havoc in the digestive system
Typically we don’t eat unripe mangoes, but it can be hard to tell if the fruit is fully ripened before eating. Making this mistake can lead to severe stomach pain.
4. You could be at risk for salmonella
Eating a mango every day ups your risk of getting a contaminated one. Salmonella occurs frequently in mangoes because it gets into the water used to wash the fruit during processing.
5. Artificially ripened ones might make you sick
Some mangoes are forced to ripen early so they can get to market faster. The process involves a chemical called calcium carbide, which is a known carcinogen in large amounts. More commonly, exposure causes symptoms like tingling, numbness, and peripheral neuropathy.
