Mangoes can do wonders for diabetics

A Nutrionist at Garki Hospital, Abuja, Miss Yemisi Olowookere, has said diabetic patients could benefit from eating mangoes for the fruit’s positive effect on the arteries.

Olowookere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday that mangoes help to prevent the circulatory complications associated with diabetes.

According to her, mangoes are of great benefit to the circulatory system and should be included in the diet of everyone experiencing poor blood circulation or in the coronary arteries.

“Mango is a fresh fruit with the greatest vitamin A content; 16 types of carotenoids have been identified in mangoes that are responsible for its vitamin A action,” Olowookere said.

“The most abundant of these is beta-carotene. Carotenoids are potent antioxidants that neutralise oxidising free radicals, which are molecules responsible for cellular arguing.’

She explained that mango is a good source of vitamin C, as a medium-size mango provides 138 per cent of the adult daily requirement of this vitamin.

Olowookere added that mango is one of the richest fresh fruits in vitamin E, providing 33 per cent of the daily requirement.

“Mangoes also contain significant amounts of vitamins B1, B2, B6 and niacin. In terms of minerals, potassium is most notable, with smaller amounts of magnesium and iron.

“Eating mangoes help maintain a healthy skin. It has been proven that Vitamin A deficiency produces skin dryness and scaling. Mangoes contribute to proper skin hydration and tone. Eating mangoes is recommended in cases of eczema, dermatosis (skin degeneration), skin dryness; and as a preventive for skin aging.”

She also said fresh mango is a rich source of potassium, which is an important component of cell and body fluids that help to control heart rate and blood pressure.

“Mango has high level of vitamin C, pectin and fibres that help to lower serum cholesterol levels,” she went on.

“Mangoes are rich in the three most powerful antioxidant Vitamin A,C, and E, and its consumption is recommended whenever there is vision loss due to conditions such as night blindness.’

She advised Nigerians to eat more mangoes or make juice often to impart flavour to dishes.