subject: Mango Peel Could Contain Hidden Benefits [print this page] Mango -- it's a tasty fruitMango -- it's a tasty fruit. But did you know that its peel could offer some health benefits, too? It's true! Researchers have discovered that the bit that most of us throw out could be extremely valuable.
The mango is a tropical fruit. Not surprisingly, it grows on the mango tree. It's believed to have originally come from Southern and Southeast Asia. This "food of the gods" is shaded yellow, orange and red. It's very popular -- said to be the most commonly eaten fruit in the world. The sweet flesh of the mango contains lots of vitamins A, B and C. But what about the peel?
The mango peel is actually considered dangerous to eat. So do not chomp on this stuff thinking you'll boost your health. The mango is related to poison ivy. Some people experience a skin allergy when they touch the peel. If ingested, the peel could also cause allergic reactions.
Nevertheless, Indian researchers decided to analyze mango peel. The goal? To see if all that wasted peel could be used for something. The researchers looked at the peel content of
two different types of mango. These were "Raspuri" and "Badami." What did they find? They noted that the mango peel contained good amounts of anthocyanins and carotenoids. The ripe peels had higher levels of these than the unripe peels did. But the unripe mango peel packed a great polyphenol punch.
Now, let's take a closer look at those ingredients. Anthocyanins and carotenoids are pigments that provide color in plants and produce. They're considered powerful antioxidants. Many believe that antioxidants could help protect us from a slew of diseases and aging. Cancer, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and heart disease are just a few examples. Polyphenols are natural chemicals
found in plants. These are also thought to act as antioxidants. So, that's a lot of protective power in a peel! When compared to the synthetic antioxidant BHA, the Raspuri mango peel came out on top. It had higher free radical scavenging activity. And that means disease-fighting potential.
This is a significant finding for all of us. Including companies that process mangoes and mango products. Mango peel accounts for a large amount of waste. So, making use of it would reduce some of the strain on our environment. And cut costs for mango product companies. And let's not forget the potential health benefits! But until they come up with a mango peel extract that's safe for
consumption, just stick with the juicy mango fruit.
