Why You Need More Mango in Your Diet

Mangos have proven over time to be much more than basic fruit. The most consumed fresh fruit in the world, mangos seem to be our link to the exotic, tropical paradise where the sun creates a delicious healthy option for our taste buds.

Mangos were first grown in India over 5,000 years ago, with seeds traveling with humans from Asia to the Middle East, East Africa and South America beginning around 300 or 400 A.D.  The mango was spread to the Middle East by Persian traders in ancient times, and from there was introduced into Africa in the 16th century and then to Brazil and the West Indies in the 1700’s aboard Portuguese ships.

In the 1860’s, mango cultivators were brought into Southern California and Florida. When mangos were first imported to the American colonies in the 17th century, they had to be pickled due to lack of refrigeration.  Mangos have been grown in the United States for over 100 years, but not on a large commercial scale. Within the United States, mangos are primarily grown in Florida, California, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

Research has shown that a mango contains up to three times your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C and beta-carotene, a cancer fighting antioxidant. Mangos also contain four recognized antioxidants (Vitamins A, C & E and Selenium) that aid in the prevention of Heart Disease, Cancer and Diabetes, the three biggest killers in the Western world today.

Additionally, mangos contain water soluble fiber which helps prevent cancer of the digestive tract. All the important B complex vitamins and the all important minerals such as Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Zinc, and Folic Acid are also included in this power packed super fruit.

Honeyville Freeze Dried Mangos

Mango is a very versatile food.  It is delicious alone or can be added to a variety of different foods from breakfast items, salads, or to change up your normal dinner routine. Serve our Freeze Dried Mangos in a dessert, in fruit salad, on dry cereal or yogurt, in gelatin, custards, or on ice cream. The fruit may be spiced with cinnamon or other spices to add a different twist. Create mango salsa just with papaya, avocado, a little bit of lemon juice, and some cilantro. You can put the salsa over Honeyville Chicken, Honeyville Beef, or just use it with potato or tortilla chips. Put the cubes of mango in a burrito. Use the mango in rice or any other foods that you wish to add a bit of Caribbean flavor. Scatter diced mango bits over waffles or pancakes. Put a mango cube or two on a toothpick, dip in yogurt and enjoy.