Is mango skin peel edible and safe to eat? Mango is a delicious fruit that is enjoyed by people of all ages. Mango skin, on the other hand, is discarded by many consumers.

The mango fruit is a tropical drupe with a thin skin and a central stone. It has over 1000 varieties worldwide and is grown in over 103 countries. Mangos are high in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin A.

Mango peels contain a variety of nutrients ( fiber, vitamins, minerals and powerful plant compounds) and health benefits that most people are unaware of.  Now, let’s look at how safe and mango skin peels are.

Is mango skin peel edible and safe to eat? Health facts to know

According to reports, Mango peels are usually safe to eat on their own as they are high in fiber, triterpenes and triterpenoids — compounds that have demonstrated anticancer and antidiabetic qualities. Below are benefits to gain from eating mango skin peels.

Cancer prevention

Mango peels may aid in the prevention or treatment of cancer. They contain powerful antioxidants mangiferin, norathyriol, and resveratrol, which may help prevent or fight cancers such as lung, colon, breast, brain, and spinal cord cancer. Mango peels also contain triterpenes and triterpenoids, plant compounds that aid in the fight against cancer and diabetes.

According to one study, extracts from mango peels had higher antioxidant and anticancer properties than the fruit itself.

Heart disease prevention

Similar to orange fruits, mango, are high in beta cryptothanxin, a phytonutrient found in plants. This phytonutrient promotes cell communication and may help prevent heart disease.

Mango peels’ high fiber content may also help prevent heart disease. According to a Harvard study of over 40,000 men, those who ate a high-fiber diet had a 40% lower risk of heart disease. Another study of female nurses produced similar findings.

Weight Loss made possible

The University of Queensland School of Pharmacy discovered that mango peel extract reduced fat cell formation. However, if you want this effect, you must choose the right variety. The Nam Doc Mai and Irwin varieties performed well in terms of fat disruption, but Kensington Pride had the opposite effect.

In summary, mango skin is safe to eat and the best way to eat it is not by eating it raw but following the below tips;

How to eat mango skin        

• Make a smoothie by cutting an unpeeled mango and blend together with ice and other fruits.
• For making chips, peel mango and chop skin into pieces. Sundry it or oven-bake them.
• Mango skin could be pickled in brine like cucumber.
• Use the grated mango skin in salads, other dishes and smoothies.
• Dry the mango peel and make it like fruit chips.