The Mighty Mango: Health Benefits And 3 Easy Recipes

I can still remember the first time I took a bite of mango, and thought it was the most heavenly taste I’d ever experienced. It’s hard to believe something so delicious is also so good for you! Mango has a number of health benefits and can even be used for your own home beauty regimen. Check out the many benefits of mango below and some quick, easy recipes!

To start things off, here are a few mango tips:

mango benefits

When picking out mangos, judge by feel, not color. A ripe mango will give slightly when you touch it.

how to cut a mango

How to cut a mango: Mangos have a long, flat seed at the center. To cut a mango, hold it upright and cut downwards about ¼” from the widest part of the mango. Repeat this on both sides, leaving you with two oval “cheeks.” The leftover part in the center is mostly seed.

how to cut a mango

how to cut a mango

Leaving the skin on, cut slices vertically and horizontally across the mango cheek, making a grid-like pattern.

how to cut a mango

how to cut a mango

Now you can just scrape the mango cubes right off the skin and eat away!

mango recipes

Health Benefits of Mango:

– Mangos contain antioxidant compounds that have been found to protect against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers

– Mangos have high levels of fiber, pectin and vitamin C, which help to lower cholesterol levels

– Mangos are chock full of Vitamins A and C which keep your immune system healthy and strong — Vitamin A also promotes good eyesight

–  Mangos can be used both internally and externally for the skin and are known to clear clogged pores and eliminate pimples (see our mango mud mask recipe below!)

–  Mangos contain enzymes for breaking down protein and fiber that helps with digestion

Source.

Mango is delicious just the way it is, but here are a couple other quick, easy ways to eat it!

Mango Salsa

mango salsa

Ingredients:

–          One mango
–          One tomato
–          Handful of diced onion
–          Handful of chopped cilantro
–          Salt
–          Pepper

OK so I called this salsa but I like to eat it plain! It’s so delicious and refreshing during the hot summer months. I love the way the sweetness of the mango plays off of the other flavors.

Cut up the mango as instructed above, dice one tomato and mix in a bowl with a handful of diced onion and chopped cilantro. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper and eat plain or with tortilla chips :)

mango salsa

Mango Smoothie

mango smoothie

Ingredients
Makes 8 ounces

1 mango, pitted and skinless
1 cup yogurt (I used peach yogurt and I highly recommend it!)
10-12 ice cubes

Blend until smooth and enjoy!

mango smoothie

Mango Mud Mask

mango mud mask

Ingredients

1/2 a mango
1 tbs almonds
1 tbs oatmeal

Blend the above ingredients, adding tablespoons of water as needed to achieve a muddy consistency. Smooth over face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off and feel how fresh and rejuvenated your skin is!

Photos by Julia.

More healthy recipes and beauty tips from the BLDG 25 Blog!

 

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11 years ago

I also love dried mangos! Just slice them into thin pieces and place on food dehydrator…mmmm so good! Thanks for the tips, I am especially excited about the smoothie- I also have mango juice all the time but the smoothie sounds delicious as well!

<3Courtney
http://www.alwaysrooney.com

11 years ago

Super excited to try the mango mud mask! Thanks for the tip!

Vanessa

http://www.missesboy.com

chelseajoon
11 years ago

If you’re feeling adventurous, grilling the two whole, skinless cheeks of a slightly under ripe mango really brings out the sweetness! It would certainly compliment the mango salsa : ) xo

11 years ago

Yum! I love learning about all these delicious super foods :D

Rocio
11 years ago

i love mango!! Gracias por las recetas :)

11 years ago

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