Diabetes patients, no need to control your mango cravings! These CISH-developed mangoes can help lower your blood glucose levels.
Can people with diabetes eat mangoes? Because over 90% of the calories in mango come from sugar, some experts suggest that this fruit has the potential to raise blood sugar levels. Hence, people with diabetes and a few other health issues are advised to eat mangoes in moderation. No need to control your mango cravings! Scientists at the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, (CISH) Lucknow have developed healthier varieties of mangoes that can lower blood glucose levels, protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as help manage a variety of other disease conditions.
The CISH-developed mangoes are high in bio-active compounds that have high medicinal benefits, including anti-cancerous properties. For example, a hybrid variety called ‘Arunika’ is rich in the bio-active compounds including mangiferin and lupeol.
The compound, lupeol, is known for a wide range of medicinal properties against a variety of health conditions including inflammation, arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, hepatic toxicity, microbial infections and cancer. Mangiferin helps to protect against breast and colon cancer, according CISH director Shailendra Rajan.
The red-blushed Arunika also contain compounds that can prevent glucose absorption in the intestine, and thus lower blood glucose levels, said Rajan.
‘Saheb Pasand’, another variety of medicinal mango developed by CISH, has high lupeol content and is the sweetest of all the CISH-developed hybrid varieties of mango, he added.
The test is still on to compare medicinal content of these hybrid mangoes with other available varieties of mango.
Rajan believes that cultivation of these special varieties of mango would enable farmers to yield more income while providing better health benefits to the consumers.
Some Incredible Benefits of Mangoes
Mango (Mangifera indica) is popularly known as the “king of fruits.” Here are some amazing benefits that explain the moniker.
- Mango is not just delicious, but is packed with nutrients.
- One cup (165 grams) of sliced mango can give you nearly 70% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for Vitamin C. A powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C strengthens your immune system and promotes growth, development and repair of all body tissues.
- Mangoes contain over a dozen different types of antioxidants, including mangiferin, catechins, anthocyanins, quercetin, kaempferol, rhamnetin, and benzoic acid. Antioxidants protect your cells against free radical damage, which is linked to aging and chronic diseases.
- Mango contains magnesium and potassium that support a healthy heart.
- Thanks to a group of digestive enzymes called amylases, mango is excellent food for digestive health. Digestive enzymes help break down large food molecules making absorption easier.
- Mangoes are also a good source of antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin as well as vitamin A, which support eye health.
- Some studies say polyphenols in mangoes can help protect against oxidative stress that is linked many types of cancer including leukemia, colon, lung, prostate and breast cancer.
Above all, mango is versatile and easy to add to your diet. You can slice it and enjoy as it is, or add it to smoothies, salsas or salads. However, mango contains more sugar than many other fruits. So, until the CISH-developed hybrid varieties of mango come to the market, it is advisable to limit mango consumption to moderation (no more than two cups per day at most).
This post first appeared on The Health Site
