Nutritionist says mango aids arteries of diabetic patients

Yemisi Olowookere, a Nutritionist in Garki Hospital, said diabetics patient could benefit from eating fresh mango due to the fruit’s positive effect on the arteries.

Olowookere told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday that mango helped to prevent the circulatory complications associated with diabetes.

According to her, mango is of great benefit to the circulatory system and should be included in the diet of those who experience poor blood circulation or in the coronary arteries.

She said: “Mango is a fresh fruit with the greatest Vitamin A content; 16 types of carotenoids have been identified in mangoes that are responsible for its action.

“Carotenoids are organic pigments that are found in the chloroplasts of plants and some other photosynthetic organism.

“The most abundant of these is beta-carotene.

“Carotenoids are potent antioxidants that neutralise oxidizing free radicals, which are molecules responsible for cellular aging.”

Olowookere said mango is also a good source of vitamin C.

A medium sized mango provides 138 per cent of the adult daily requirement of this vitamin.

She said: “Mango is one of the richest fresh fruits in Vitamin E as it provides 33 per cent of the daily requirement.

“Mango also contains significant amounts of Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and niacin.

“In terms of minerals potassium is most notable with smaller amounts of magnesium and iron.

“Eating mangoes help maintain a healthy skin.

“It has been proven that Vitamin A deficiency produces skin dryness and scaling.

“Mangoes contribute to proper skin hydration and tone.”

Olowookere said that eating abundant amounts of mangoes “is recommended in cases of eczema, dermatosis (skin degeneration) skin dryness, and as a preventive skin aging”.

She said fresh mango is a rich source of potassium, an important component of cell and body fluids that helps to control heart rate and blood pressure.

She said: “Mango has high level of Vitamin C, pectin and fibres that help to lower serum cholesterol levels.

“Mangoes are rich in the three most powerful antioxidant Vitamin A,C, and E and mango consumption is recommended whenever there is vision loss due to conditions such as night blindness.”

Olowookere advised Nigerians to eat more mangoes, make juice often with it or add it to flavour dishes.

Olowookere said there were several cuisines all over the world that use mangoes to add spice to a main course.