Fruit peels act as a protective covering to keep the soft, delicate flesh inside safe. Although often discarded, many fruit peels are edible and contain nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds, according to the US health website Healthline .
Mangoes are a popular fruit that are usually peeled before eating. However, some people believe that mango skin is edible and contains many nutrients.
Mangoes have been shown to be a good source of fiber, vitamins
Mango peel contains many nutrients
Mangoes have been shown to be a good source of fiber, vitamins A, C, E, B6, and the minerals potassium and copper. Mangoes also contain many beneficial plant compounds, including polyphenol antioxidants and carotenoids.
Like the flesh, mango peel is rich in nutrients. Research shows that mango peel is rich in polyphenols, carotenoids, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin E, and other beneficial plant compounds, according to Healthline .
People with diets rich in vitamin C, polyphenols, and carotenoids have a lower risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and cognitive decline than those who consume less of these nutrients.
One test-tube study found that mango peel extract had more potent antioxidant and anti-cancer properties than mango flesh extract. Additionally, mango peel is rich in triterpenes and triterpenoids—compounds that have been shown to have anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties.
Mango peels are also high in fiber, which is important for digestive health. In fact, fiber makes up 45-78% of the total weight of mango peels.
Many potential risks
Although mango peel contains a significant amount of nutrients, it also poses many risks to the body.
Mango peels contain urushiol, which can cause allergic reactions in some people. Additionally, growers sometimes spray pesticides on mango trees to control insect pests. Residues of these pesticides may remain on the mango peel.
In addition, mango peels also have an unpleasant taste. According to experts, similar nutrients in mango peels also exist in many other fruits and vegetables. Therefore, people who are allergic, cannot stand the taste of mango peels or are worried about pesticide residues should not eat mangoes with the peel.
However, if you want to enjoy the mango flesh along with the peel, people should thoroughly wash the mango with water or fruit wash solution before eating to ensure safety, according to Healthline .
Source link
Comment (0)