The delicious mango is the most widely consumed fruit in the world – with a myriad of equally delicious health benefits. There are literally hundreds of varieties, with the season for them starting in March with the Nam Doc Mae variety coming from Thailand, closely followed by the amazing Alphonse, the Kesarand the Badami coming from India from late April to June and the Sindhri and Chausna from Pakistan taking us through to the end of the Summer. You can of course buy this deliciously orange fleshed fruit at any time of the year – and new research shows you have yet another reason to add them to your shopping basket. A study in September 2016 has shown that the flesh of the mango has a powerful beneficial effect on the good bacteria in your gut, and together with both the fibreit contains and natural protein munching enzymes, can help keep your digestive system in really good nick as well as help get rid of bad cholesterol. Researchers also found a link between blood sugar and body fat, making it a healthy sweetener for your smoothies and desserts, which could even help to prevent diabetes. Mangoes are really rich in vitamin C and a wide range of carotenoids such as beta-carotene, which your body uses to make vitamin A. They can help protect your eyes against macular degeneration, boost the immune system and the vast array of anti-oxidants can help protect the body from cancer. They also contain glutamine – a protein that can improve your memory and help you to concentrate – making them a great snack for teenagers studying for exams. Rich in tataric and malic acid, mangoes will help alkalise the body and abundant potassium balances salt in the body to help regulate blood pressure. Mangoes are also a good source of iron and calcium – perfect for pregnant and menopausal women to indulge in! In some countries mangoes are known as The Love Fruit as they are thought to increase virility in men! The vitamin E content can certainly help regulate sex hormones and boost sex drive. Throw in the fact that you can use them to cleanse and scrub your skin and I ask you? What is not to like?!! Apart from adding to smoothies or porridge at breakfast time, mangoes make many a delicious dessert. But for me the sweetness of a mango works wonderfully to balance a hot n spicy salsa. I’ll post my perfect recipe here soon ;-)