5 key health benefits of mango seeds
By Clifford Ndujihe
What do you do with your mango seeds after devouring the sweet and sugary fruit?
Most people throw the seeds away. Throwing the seeds into the refuse bin is tantamount to throwing the best part of the mango fruit away.
Why?
Mango seeds contain many healing properties that make them a prized ingredient in Ayurvedic medicines. Mango seed can be used in a butter, oil or powder form, according to
HealthShots. Quoting dietitians – Kajal Wattamwar and Bushra Qureshi, co-founders of Healthy Steady Go, HealthShots rolled out some interesting nutritional qualities of mango kernels.
1. A complete protein
“Mango seed kernels have a low protein content but at the same time they contain most of the essential amino acids, with highest values of leucine, valine and lysine making it a complete protein. While most vegetarian sources are incomplete protein, mango seed is our star,” says Qureshi.
2. Rich in antioxidants
Mango seed kernels are shown to be a good source of polyphenols, phytosterols as campesterol, sitosterol and tocopherols. In addition, mango seed kernel could be used as a potential ingredient for functional foods, anti-microbial compounds and cosmetics due to its high quality of fat and protein as well as high levels of natural antioxidants.
Some experimental research uses mango seed flours to make various antioxidant-rich recipes as well.
3. Good source of healthy fats
Wattamwar says, “Mango seed has a lipid profile rich in unsaturated fatty acids, free of trans fatty acids. These fats have acceptable physical and chemical characteristics. Many experimental studies have used mango seed extracted oils into a variety of products too.”
4. Natural antibiotic
It is an abundant and cost-effective potential natural antibiotic and anti-fungal that can be utilized in addressing the challenge of food poisoning and infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms in the food industry.
5. Aids in digestion
“Due to its antibacterial properties and fiber content, mango seeds have been proven to help aid digestion. With this, mango seeds also are loaded with fiber, which can help in weight loss when consumed in enough amounts.
Ayurveda has been using mango seed oil and powder for various purposes. Many ayurvedic retreats use mango seed oil as hair oil and or as a moisturiser,” Qureshi told Health Shots.
How to eat mango seeds
While sharing a quick recipe, Wattamwar says, “Our favourite way to consume mango seeds is by making a mukhwas (mouth freshener)! They aid in digestion, so eating it right after your meals as a mukhwas is a great practice one can start. Just dry the seed, pressure cook and deseed them. Finally chop into small pieces, sauté in some ghee and salt.
