Mangos have been grown on the Indian Sub-continent since time immemorial. They are believed to have originated in Pakistan, East India, Burma and the Andaman Islands bordering the Bay of Bengal.

The mango tree reaches to a height of about 35-40 m I.e approximately 65ft. and has a crown radius of about 10m. The leaves are of the evergreen variety and orange-pink when the tree is young, and change to the dark glossy red, when they start maturing and as they mature, the colors of the leaves turn dark green. The trees flower with white colored flowers having a lily like fragrance. Once the flowering gets over, the tree bears fruits, which take 3 to 6 months to ripe.

• Mango is best eaten raw. The sweet fruit can be consumed all in it or can be mixed in salads and cereal to enhance the taste. The pulp of the fruit is juicy and is full of innumerable fibers.

• Mangoes are often used to make chutneys, which may be prepared from either raw or sweet mangoes

• Raw mangos are used to make pickles, which are an excellent accompaniment with any Pakistani food item

• In many regions of South-east Asia, mangoes are very popular pickled with fish sauce and rice vinegar

Health Benefits of Eating Mangoes

Mango is associated with many health benefits, which may be listed as follows:

• As a rich source of Iron, mangoes are a must have for pregnant women and anemic patients. Regular consumption of mangoes by pregnant women ensures the proper development of the fetus

• Mangos contain phenolic compounds, which are rich in anti-oxidants, which help in fighting cancer

• If consumed on a regular basis, mangoes help to combat acidity and ensure proper bowel movement, thereby making the digestive system strong

• Mango is a rich source of vitamin A, E and Selenium, which help to protect against heart disease and other such related ailments

• Eating mangoes also provides relief from respiratory problems, fever, constipation, etc.