Mangos are a popular fruit that have many health benefits and are used to create various dishes across the world. They are often referred to as the ‘king of the fruits’ and used in tropical drinks, desserts, and even chutneys. These fruits are also added to sauces, salsas, and vegetable curries to add a hint of sweetness.
Mangos are commonly used for cooking in India and East Asia but are popular as a snack worldwide. They are a very healthy fruit as they contain many essential vitamins and minerals. These fruits are also great for weight loss as they contain lots of fiber.
There are over 1,000 different varieties of mangoes, and the fruit comes in various shapes and sizes. Mangos are tropical, colorful, and delicious, but are they classed as citrus fruit? Let’s find out!
Are Mangos Citrus?
Mangos aren’t citrus fruits. Citrus fruits come from a specific botanical family known as the Rutaceae or Rue family and are grown on citrus trees. They are characterized by thick rind, which is leathery and aromatic and juicy flesh and includes oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and limes. Citrus fruits are slightly acidic and often taste bitter or sour.
Citrus fruits are native to warm regions of Asia and Australia and are widely cultivated in fruit-growing regions for their juicy edible fruit. Various indigenous cultures have utilized citrus fruits for generations, and they are used in many recipes and as a health tonic. Citrus fruits are often used in skincare products.
Mangos are Tropical fruits
Mangos are sometimes mistaken as citrus fruits as they have bright orange skin. They are, in fact, considered a tropical fruit. Tropical fruits grow in very hot and humid regions across both the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn. They are common across tropical areas in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Australia.
Tropical fruits such as mangos are not only delicious; they also have many health benefits. Mangos can help people avoid many health issues such as cardiovascular problems, diabetes, obesity, and many types of cancer.
The tropical fruit family includes bananas, mangos, breadfruit, pineapple, and jackfruit. These are a staple in the diets of people across Asia, Africa, and Pacific countries. They are often eaten as a complement to grain and root crops.
In the last few decades, there has been a considerable increase in demand for tropical fruits, and they are exported across the world. Many fruits are grown commercially, such as bananas, guava, mango, durian, jackfruit, avocados, and passion fruit.
Tropical fruits are an essential part of the diet of farming families and are also a way for them to generate income and improve the local economy. There is a huge demand for tropical fruits in export markets to countries such as the EU, USA, Korea, and Japan.
Tropical fruits are also turned into processed products such as dried chips, purees, pickles, and powder. Often mangoes are processes to help minimize waste if there’s a seasonal glut.
Related: Are Cucumbers Melons?
The health benefits of mangos
Eating mangoes makes you feel happy and brings many health benefits. The fruits are a rich source of minerals, vitamins, and nutrients and also contain fiber. Mangoes are high in vitamins A, C, and E and contain potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and many antioxidants.
Adding mango to your diet regularly can help you to maintain health and wellbeing. Vitamin A helps improve the condition of hair, skin, and nails and enhances vision, while fiber is excellent for digestive health and can aid in weight loss.
Mango can also help lower cholesterol, improve memory, get rid of brain fog, and fight cancer. It can also help to alkaline the body, boost immunity, and reduce the likelihood of heatstroke.
In some regions, mangoes are known as the ‘love fruit’ as they are an aphrodisiac and can help boost libido.
Conclusion
Mangos are tropical fruits rather than citrus. They are grown in tropical regions throughout Asia and are very popular worldwide. Many Indian recipes contain mango, including chutney, curries, and sauces. Mangoes are a very refreshing fruit for the summer, and they can be enjoyed as a smoothy fruit or dessert.
Mangoes have a delicious sweet flavor and are very versatile. Adding mango to your diet regularly can help improve your health, wellbeing, and even your sex life!