Ripe mangoes have started reaching the market. The mango, king of fruits, is everyone's favourite, so when the season comes people eat as many as they like. Mangoes are very good for health and contain plenty of vitamins and minerals.

But for some people mangoes can be dangerous, because the fruit also has side effects. Eating too many mangoes can harm the body.

Dina R. D'Alessandro (MS, RDN, CDN), a lecturer at Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York and a registered dietitian, says mangoes contain phytonutrients that are very good for the body.

But mangoes are not good for everyone, the dietitian says. If you are allergic to latex, be careful when eating mangoes: mango proteins are similar to latex, so allergy problems can get worse.

The nutritionist adds that mangoes can also raise blood sugar, as the fruit is naturally very sweet and high in carbohydrates. Eating mangoes can quickly push up diabetes, so check that your blood sugar is under control before eating them.

Eating too many mangoes can also cause GI problems, because they are high in fermentable carbohydrates. If you suffer from a gastrointestinal problem such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eat mangoes in measured amounts or avoid them.

If you are overweight or want to control your weight, limit mangoes too. One cup of mango contains about 70 calories, so eating a lot can add weight. You can keep a little mango for breakfast if you like.

Most people peel mangoes before eating them. But you may be surprised to learn that most of the fibre is in the skin, so peeled mango gives the body less nutrition. Try eating mangoes with the skin on; you will be the one to benefit.

Adapted from Eat This, Not That.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.