Much of the world’s mangos are grown in India, and it is here that they use mango seed in several dishes.
You might not have even known that mango seeds are edible. But indeed they are.
The mango seed used in dishes, etc and not the hard seed you usually find in a ripened mango.
Instead, these seeds are found in unripe green mangoes.
The seed of ripened mangoes becomes quite hard, and is covered in a fibrous layer.
Even if you managed to blend it, it still would have a bitter taste that wouldn’t be very pleasant.
These hardened seeds do still contain benefits however.
There is a kernel inside the seed that can be used to make kernel flour, oil, and butter.
Antioxidants and other nutrients can be extracted from the kernel.
The seed of unripe mangoes is soft and easy to cut open.
To access the seed, cut into an unripe mango.
The flesh will usually not be sweet, so the seed can be removed.
Wash off or get rid of any remaining flesh, and use a knife to cut into the soft, white seed.
This seed can be consumed raw.
It is not just Indian cuisine, there are other countries which use mango seeds.
For example, one traditional Mexican sauce gets its flavor from mango seeds.
Mangoes provide a ton of benefits, containing vitamins A, and C in high amounts.
Around 1 cup of mango contains 25% of the recommended daily value of this vitamin.
Vitamin A is important for the healthy function of the body, especially the skin, and eyes.
It is also good for your bone health, and immune system.
Vitamin C is also great for the immune system.
It plays an important role in the growth of bones, tendons, and muscles.
Adequate vitamin C helps the body absorb iron.
Do mango seeds have poison?
Mango seeds do not contain poison, and will cause you any harm.
The skin of the mango can cause skin irritation for those who are sensitive however.
If you have had contact dermatitis due to urushiol, found in poison ivy, and poison oak, then you are at the greatest risk of having your skin irritated by mangoes.
Urushiol is the active ingredient of poison ivy, so be wary of this.
If you are allergic to pear, apple, peach, cashews, poison sugar, poison oak, poison ivy or birch trees you may also be allergic to mangoes.
Just like with humans, mango seeds will not poison your pet.
Although if they do swallow one, it could be quite harmful due to the size.
If your dog is struggling after consuming the seed and begins coughing, gulping, or struggles to eat or drink, the seed could be stuck.
The seed can be removed with forceps, however surgery will be needed if the seed has travelled to the stomach or intestine.
The urioshol in mangoes will not affect your dog, however it may stick to fur and contaminate anyone who touches your pet.
To remove this safely, wash your dog wearing waterproof gloves, and protective clothing, if you fear you could have a reaction.
Aside from being fairly large and causing potential obstruction, seeds of unripe mangoes are easy enough to eat, and cause no harm.
The seeds of unripe mangoes are soft, and easy to cut into however the seeds of unripe mangoes are a lot harder and it is much harder to cut, eat, and digest this seed.
It would be almost impossible for you to accidentally swallow the seed of a ripened mango, so there’s no fear needed here.
Even if you were to swallow a seed this large, it is unlikely to cause any major obstruction internally.
Severe problems could arise if you are allergic to mango itself, and you are unaware.
An allergic reaction could include skin irritation, sneezing, difficulty breathing, and hives.
In more severe cases, a reaction may lead to anaphylaxis.
The seed of the mango actually has a ton of nutritional benefit even when compared to the mango pulp.
Alongside vitamin B12, mango seeds also contain important nutrients such calcium, and vitamin A.
Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in production of red blood cells, DNA, and the proper functioning of the nervous system.
B12 deficiency is unfortunately common, and it is important to get an adequate amount of this vitamin.
Those following a strict vegan diet, the elderly, and those taking the metformin drug for diabetes are included in the category of people who are at greater risk of being deficient.
Some symptoms of being deficient include pale skin, weakness, fatigue, mouth ulcers, and dizziness.
Anemia could develop due to a B12 deficiency, this could lead to feelings of shortness of breath or dizziness especially when exerting yourself.
This happens because the body does not have enough red blood cells to provide oxygen to your body’s cells.
A deficiency can also cause blurred vision, this is due to damage in the nervous system that affects the optic nerve connected to your eye.
This damage affects the nervous signal travelling from your eye to the brain, messing up your vision.
This condition is called optic neuropathy.
This condition can in fact be reversed through supplementation of vitamin B12.
Low levels of B12 in the body have been associated with mood, and brain disorders such as depression.
One theory suggests that high amounts of homocysteine, which is caused by low amounts of B12 can cause damage to the brain tissue.
This then affects and interferes with the signals to and from the brain, leading to mood problems.
Studies have suggested that to deal with this, supplementing with B12 can help reverse these effects.
This does not mean that depression is solely caused by B12 deficiency but that in some cases it is or that it can contribute to mood, and brain disorders.
Keep an eye on our B12 intake as it can be difficult to consume enough, especially on plant-based diets.
Mango oil is made from the fat from the mango seed.
The oil is extracted with high pressure, this physically forces out the fat from the seed.
This fat can also be removed using solvent extraction.
Because the oil can become solid at room temperature, it is sometimes known as mango butter.
Much of the research and studies carried on this delicious fruit have been on the flush.
But evidence exists that shows mango oil is good for the skin, and is able to fight oxidative stress.
Mango seeds are rich in antioxidants, this helps to fight conditions that arise due to oxidative stress.
In 2014, a lab study demonstrated that mango seed extract could destroy breast cancer cells.
This was carried out in a tray of small test tubes, further research will need to be carried out on humans to determine whether there is true merit to this.
Just as the pulp of mango contains vitamin A, so does the seed. It is mostly rich in B vitamins, including vitamins B1, B2, B6, and B12.
These all have their own purpose and benefit for the body.
B1 is water soluble, and aids the body in turning food into energy.
A deficiency can affect various functions in the body including the nervous system, and heart.
Vitamin B2 aids the body in building red blood cells, and helps support cellular functions that provide you with energy.
The body is not able to store vitamin B6, and excess leaves the body through urination, so it is important to get enough everyday.
The seed also contains minerals including potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium.
Potassium is important, helping to regulate nerve signals.
Magnesium is also important for nerve function.
The magnesium content in mango flesh is considered to be helpful for those who may struggle to sleep, as magnesium is involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body.
It helps the nervous system to regulate, allowing it to relax which can lead to quicker, and better sleep.
Mango seeds contain a ton of benefits, just like the flesh.
Although, this may not be common knowledge.
The mango seed is used regularly in parts of the world.
It is best to consume the seed of unripe mangoes. It
It is certainly possible to access the kernel inside the hardened fibrous layer of a ripened mango seed, however it may be bitter, and difficult to chew.
If you have digestion issues, this could exacerbate them considering how tough the kernel may be at this point.
The seeds of unripe mangoes are soft, and white.
These seeds can easily be cut into, and consumed.
They contain a whole range of nutrients, such as B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
These seeds are often turned into flour, and used in a variety of dishes.
Utilizing the seed prevents food wastage although the flesh of an unripe mango may not be very nice.
I’m Chris Watson & the Founder of EatForLonger.com. I’m a food and wellbeing enthusiast researching and sharing foodstuffs and simple food-based concepts, such as fasting and clean eating.
I hope it inspires you to make tiny changes to what you eat and when you eat while optimizing your healthspan and all-around well-being.
Read more About Me here.