Mangoes And Estrogen: How can a Mango affect your hormones
Most often than not, people with hormone imbalances and people that try to maintain their body in a healthy state will pay attention to the foods they eat, giving birth to one of the most important questions (no pun intended) : “Will this Mango affect my estrogen levels ? and if so, how ?”
Before we get into the effects of Mangoes on your estrogen levels, we need to understand what estrogen really is.
What is estrogen and how does it affect your body ?
Estrogen is one of the hormones that promotes both reproductive and sexual development.
While a hormone like estrogen will always be present in both men and women of all ages, women that are in their reproductive age will have much higher levels.
Estrogen promotes the development and maintenance of female characteristics, it also helps you keep a regulated menstrual cycle, which is why it’s beneficial to ask yourself questions like : how will this Mango affect me ?
Nevertheless, estrogen levels decline throughout menopause, leading to symptoms like night sweats and hot flashes, for this reason we need to look at two important definitions before learning about the effects of Mangoes.
What are Phytoestrogens ?
Phytoestrogens are compounds that occur naturally in plants (fruits, veggies, grains, etc.), their structure is similar to estrogen, consequently they have the ability to bind to the same receptors as estrogen.
When eating phytoestrogens, our body can respond as if it’s our own natural estrogen.
What are Lignans ?
Lignans are a category of phytoestrogen that is most often found in grains, nuts, seeds, tea, plants and wine. Their most beneficial quality is their antioxidant effect. Bacteria that naturally occurs in your body can convert lignant into estrogen.
The effects of Mangoes on your estrogen levels
Q : Are Mangoes high in estrogen ? Is there estrogen in mango ?
A: Mangoes have bioactive compounds (quercetin, mangiferin, and aglycone) that act like estrogen by activating both isoforms of the estrogen receptor, one study says.
Q : What does Mango do to hormones ?
A: Mango can trigger the hormone called leptin. There is research suggesting that mangos have an effect on lowering leptin, thus decreasing body fat.
Q: What can Mangoes do to females ?
A: Mangos may help in maintaining vaginal health and can help you fight pregnancy constipation..
Q: What can Mangoes do to males ?
A: In some parts of the world, mango is also known as the “love fruit”. It is believed that it has aphrodisiac qualities that can increase virility in men.
Q: Why is it good to eat Mangoes ?
A: Mango may help in preventing diabetes, contains immune-boosting nutrients, it supports heart health, improves digestive health and it may support eye health.
Q : What are the side effects of consuming Mangoes ?
A: Consumed in moderation, mangoes can spike blood sugar. Mangoes also contain a protein similar to some proteins found in latex, which can trigger your latex allergy (if you already have one)
What do Mangoes contain ?
One cup or 160 grams of Mango can provide :
- Calories: 97
- Protein: 1.4 grams
- Carbs: 24.7 grams
- Fat: 0.6 grams
- Fiber: 2.6 grams
- Sugar: 22.5 grams
- Vitamin C: 67% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Copper: 20% of the DV
- Folate: 18% of the DV
- Vitamin B6: 12% of the DV
- Potassium: 6% of the DV
- Riboflavin: 5% of the DV
- Magnesium: 4% of the DV
- Thiamine: 4% of the DV
- Vitamin A: 10% of the DV
- Vitamin E: 10% of the DV
- Vitamin K: 6% of the DV
- Niacin: 7% of the DV
Are phytoestrogens and lignans dangerous ?
Phytoestrogen-rich foods can usually be safely consumed in moderation, as the benefits will likely outweigh the potential risks.
Also, contrary to what most people think, it has been demonstrated in studies that phytoestrogens have no effect on human male sex hormones.
The bottom line
Phytoestrogen is easy to find in a huge variety of plant foods.
In order to boost your estrogen levels, you can moderately incorporate phytoestrogen-rich foods into your diet.
In most cases, there are either no risks or the benefits outweigh the potential risks.
Eating Mangoes in moderation is unlikely to harm you.
