Dispelling misconceptions: A mango is healthier than you think

Health expert says the fruit is among the best sources of essential vitamins and minerals in summer

KARACHI:

As much as they are loved by fruit lovers the world over, mangoes don’t really figure in conversations about healthy eating. The fruit, in fact, is beset by a host of health misconceptions.

Take for instance the belief that the fruit is not good for you in hot weather. Or, that it is really high in calories. Some even believe that eating too many mangoes can result in skin problems like rashes. But one health expert would like to put a rest to these myths once and for all.

In fact, according to him, there is nothing healthier to eat during mango season than mangoes themselves.

“Most people don’t realise, but mangoes are really high in nutritional content,” said prominent physician Dr Anwar Ali Khawaja.

“The fruit contains multiple vitamins, like vitamin C, A, E and B6. It also contains vital supplements like iron, calcium and zinc,” he told The Express Tribune.

“Mangoes really are very rich in vitamin A, which is very beneficial to our eyesight,” Dr Khawaja explained. “In summers, it is among the best natural sources of vitamin C, zinc and calcium, all of which boost our immune systems, help liver function and reduce intestinal problems.”

Dispelling the notion that mangoes can cause weight gain, Dr Khawaja stressed that the fruit is not as high in calories as people think. “There is no harm in eating 330 grammes of mango a day,” he said, adding that there was no bad time to eat it either. “Mangoes are also really high in fibre, which is very beneficial for our digestive system.”

Dr Khawaja also dispelled the notion that mangoes are bad for the skin or in hot weather. “No, mangoes do not cause rashes,” he said, explaining that much of the myths surrounding the fruit had to do with the season it ripens in.

“Mangoes require extreme heat to ripen and as such are only available in markets during summer. A lot of health effects attributed to mangoes are just the product of other climate factors,” he added. “A lot of people rely on supplement pills for their vitamin and mineral needs,” Dr Khawaja said. “This is especially true now due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. People want a quick fix to boost their immune system, but what they don’t realise is that there is really nothing better than seasonal fruits,” he stressed.

“In winters, everyone knows fruits like oranges and pomegranates are the best way to keep our immune system strong in the face of cold and flu. In summer, mango does the same,” he added. “Fruits and vegetables are nature’s remedies to seasonal illnesses. Consume a lot of them and you’ll be sure to stay strong and healthy.”