1. Why do we need to eat mangoes: According to Rujuta, we need to eat mangoes for three basic reasons:
a) Mangoes are local fruits: Anything local is familiar with our body. Hence, no harm can come from this yellow fruit.
b) Mangoes are in season: Rujuta has often spoken about how we should consume seasonal fruits and vegetables to achieve a healthy body.
c) Mangoes are genetically compliant with our bodies: “You can consume mangoes in the form of pickle, aamras, panna or simply eat the slices,” says Rujuta. Since mangoes are something we have grown up eating, it cannot do any harm to our body.
2. Rujuta has listed down the following nutrients present in mangoes, that make it perfectly ok for diabetics and weight-watchers to eat it:
a. Mangoes are rich in beta- carotene: A nutrient found especially in yellow foods, beta-carotene, according to Rujuta, will give you a flawless complexion.
b. Mangoes are packed with vitamin C: “This will help your bones and joints”
c. Mangoes are loaded with fiber: Since fruit fiber is good for our digestive tract, Rujuta says, eating mangoes will sort out your worries concerning constipation. Along with this, mangoes will help in reducing your cholesterol.
d. Mangoes are rich in vitamin B6: Rujuta says that this will help you in getting rid of feeling bloated when you get up in the morning or late in the evening.
3. Here are some myths Rujuta busted in order to make mangoes our friends again:
a. Myth: Mangoes are bad for diabetics
Fact: Rujuta says that mangoes are excellent for diabetics and there is no issue at all, infact “one mango everyday will help diabetics with a variety of reasons.” Mangoes are rich in antioxidants and fiber. They will help your insulin sensitivity and will also regulate your blood sugar levels. Mangoes, according to Rujuta, are also recommended by the American diabetic association and Mayo clinic.
b. Myth: Mangoes are full of calories
Fact: Rujuta strongly recommends eating the healthy calories from mangoes rather than from flourless cakes, fizzy drinks and fiber rich biscuits. “Mangoes have a density of nutrients and these calories are only healthy for us.” says Rujuta.
c. Myth: Mango is fattening
Fact: Mangoes have nutrients, which help accelerate fat burning. “Rather than thinking that mangoes are fattening, remember that foods which are not local are way more fattening,” says Rujuta.
d. Myth: Mangoes cause heat production in the body
Fact: To tackle this, Rujuta gives the age old mantra of soaking mangoes in water as this will help in leaching out the excess phytic acid.
4. How much mango is good for us?
Rujuta talks about how mangoes have minerals, which make leptin sensitivity work well in our body. Leptin is a hormone which the body secretes as a response to the food that we eat. If we eat mangoes, our brain gets a signal to start eating in moderation. Rujuta further talks about how eating mangoes in summers will help us regulate our meals for the rest of the year.
