By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Dr Tunde Ajobo, a Clinical Dietician, at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan in Oyo, has advised Nigerians to always eat mangoes with the skin.
He gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) on Thursday in Ibadan.
According to him, this is to ensure that consumers of the fruit get the full nutrients and fibre required for the body.
Ajobo, however, said that taking mangoes in excess could lead to diarrhea.
The clinical dietician further advised people not to take unripe or fairly ripe mangoes as the acidic content of such fruit would be very high.
“It is also not good to take the over riped, but let it be ripe and firm such that when you use knife to cut it, it will be easy and one can eat it with the skin.
“Mango is best eaten when the skin (epicarp) is not yet detached from the middle (mesocarp) of the fruit.”
He emphasised that mangoes should be eaten at intervals “and not packed and taken at the same time.
“Ideally, one can use mangoes to start the day, but it should be taken at intervals. Do not eat more than one mango at a go.”
He explained that from the shape of mango down to the colour and everything about it speaks about the caroteneous nature of it.
Ajobo added that carotene is a good source of vitamin A, which helps in good eye sight.
According to him, mango has 80 per cent of water as component, fibre, which makes it good for human consumption and makes digestion easy.
“It also contains some amount of protein, the water component is a plus, fibre is a plus and Vitamin C component is a plus too.
“So, it’s better for one to take such fruit daily, taking it accordingly and in moderation is the best way, one can take at least three in a day but not at one go.
Ajobo further advised people who have gardens to plant mangoes to provide shelter and for income generation.
“It can last for many years, one can easily take advantage of it during the season, you can eat and sell,” he said. (NAN)
