Dried mangoes: uses and nutritional benefits

• Contributes to energy metabolism (carbohydrates): dried Mangoes have a high energy density. This energy is predominantly carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are the preferred source of energy for the body, and the first to replenish energy stocks.

• Photoprotector (carotenoid): a study analyzes the carotenoid contents in dried mangoes. She concludes with the more than interesting presence of beta-carotene in dried mangoes. Carotenoids, provitamin A, contribute to the maintenance of vision: they participate in the synthesis of rhodopsin (light-sensitive pigment present in the retina), synthesis of photopsins (proteins of the cone cells of the retina) and regeneration of the ocular and retinal epithelium.

• Antioxidant (beta-carotene): beta-carotene represents more than 50% of the carotenoids in dried mango. Beta-carotene neutralizes free radicals, which gives dried mangoes a slight antioxidant power.

The mango tree is a tree belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. This perennial, woody tropical plant can reach 20 m in height. The mango tree grows on sandy, well-aerated and well-drained soils. After three years, the mango tree reveals terminal, fragrant inflorescences with five petals. The inflorescences consist of thousands of small orange flowers. It is from this inflorescence that the Mango will be born, a tropical fruit in the form of a drupe.

The mango tree is native to northern India. It was introduced into tropical regions for the cultivation of its fruit. The bark, leaves and roots have numerous uses in traditional medicine: fight against tetanus, diuretic, febrifuge, hypocholesterolemic properties, etc.

Mangoes are appreciated for their mild and sweet flavors. However, this climacteric fruit is very fragile. It is estimated that 30 to 50% of the harvested fruit will be lost. They are therefore the subject of multiple agri-food research whose objective is to develop the best way to export Mangoes without altering them. Dehydration and drying of Mangoes are, for the moment, the most effective methods to benefit from their virtues and flavors throughout the world.

In herbal medicine, mango leaves are traditionally used in the treatment of lipidemia disorders: an infusion of mango leaves helps regulate lipid metabolism.

Indeed, a scientific study has looked into the veracity of this practice. She concludes positively by expressing the benefit of mango leaves in the treatment of lipidemia disorders (hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglyceridemia). This property comes from mangiferin, a polyphenol. Mangiferin improves dyslipidemia. However, the exact mechanisms of action remain unclear.