Paolo Bonetti, our Director of Procurement (aka the man who finds the best tasting fruit), described the beauty of a perfectly ripe mango. “It’s kind of like custard,” he said. “You know how they can be so perfectly ripe that they’re creamy, but not mushy, sweet and kinda tart at the same time? And that color? Like a gorgeous sunset.” We almost blushed at his description, and, well, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
This month we’ve got mangos on the brain because our crop of mango trees in Mexico (yes, mangos grow on a tree) are dripping with jewels of yellow, orange and red-skinned fruit ripe for the plucking. It truly is a site to behold. We let our mangos ripen fully before harvesting them, not just because that’s the way Mother Nature does it (and we believe nature knows best), but also because this is the best way to ensure that they’re as nutritionally dense as possible –and herein lies the beauty of the marvelous mango. In addition to being a rich source of fiber, mangos contain over 20 vitamins and minerals, which contribute to some unexpected health benefits.
Here are just a few more reasons to snack on our Dried Mangoes.
Support Eye Health
Mangos are rich in the antioxidant zeaxanthin, which has been shown to help filter out harmful blue light rays. These light rays, which are part of the visible spectrum of sunlight, reach deeper into the eye and can damage the retina and lead to macular degeneration. Three or more servings of mango a day can decrease your risk.
Prevent Asthma
Did you know that the risks for developing asthma are lower in people who consume high amounts of beta-carotene? We didn’t. Mangoes are a good source as well as other orange fruits including papaya, apricots pumpkin and carrots.
Protect Against Cancer
Load up on orange foods to also protect against prostate cancer. According to a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health Health’s Department of Nutrition, foods rich in beta-carotene such as mango are shown to have an inverse association with the development of colon cancer.
Bolster Bone Health
The vitamin K found naturally in mangoes can help keep your bones healthy and strong. That’s because vitamin k is essential for supporting calcium absorption. Mango smoothie, anyone?
Help Hair Shine
When friends ask how you get your hair so shiny and you pass them a bag of dried mango, don’t be surprised if they look at you quizzically. Many people don’t realize that mango is a rich source of vitamin A, a nutrient that has many benefits including supporting the production of sebum which keeps hair moisturized.
