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As a society, we have become more aware of our health and the fitness and wellness industries have become increasingly popular with consumers.
Working out is really important, but it’s what we put into our bodies that is the main concern for experts.
There are some food items we consume without ever stopping to consider the potential health implications.
Perhaps we’ve grown up eating something or find it convenient to have a quick meal when we’re busy.
When it comes to sweet treats, we need to be extra careful as they can be packed full of sugar and additives. Often, when something tastes amazing it probably isn’t that good for us.
In this article, we will discuss the potential health benefits or potential risks that come from consuming mangonadas.
What Are Mangonadas?
If you’ve not heard of a mangonada before, they are a frozen treat found in Mexican cuisine. With a texture similar to a smoothie it is a sweet drink, perfect in hot weather.
As you may have noticed from the name, the drink is predominantly made with mangoes.
These drinks are easy to find amongst Latino communities, but they are also becoming hugely popular in the U.S in general. With many states enjoying hot weather, it’s not hard to see why.
What Is In A Mangonada?
Names and ingredients may differ depending on the specific recipe and where you buy one from, but the basic ingredients of the drink are mango, chamoy sauce, and Tajin.
Here we are going to look into the individual ingredients found in a mangonada including.
As there are a number of different recipes, we are also going to include information on some of the other ingredients often found in these drinks.
Mangoes
Mangoes are what gives the drink its namesake. We are taught from a young age that fruit is good for us, as it’s packed full of essential vitamins and minerals that support a healthy immune system.
Known for its sweet taste, juicy flesh, and soft texture that melts in the mouth, the mango is a favorite fruit for many. Apart from the delicious taste, the fruit is also a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, and they are also high in fiber.
Vitamin C is super important for our general health, but it also has a number of important functions such as helping to protect our cells, bones, and blood vessels.
A lack of vitamin C can lead to diseases such as scurvy, which is a real thing and not just something reserved for pirates.
Vitamin A helps to keep your immune system nice and healthy, meaning you can fight off diseases and other illnesses such as colds.
This vitamin is also important for our sight and is what helps us see in low lighting. So forget carrots, eat mangoes! (Don’t actually forget the carrots).
Lime Juice
As with most citrus fruits, limes are high in vitamin C and antioxidants.
Antioxidants are something we talk about without knowing what they actually do, we just know they are good. They help to reduce inflammation and have even been found to help prevent some chronic illnesses.
Another interesting benefit of consuming lime juice is the prevention of kidney stones. The citric acid found in these fruits has been found to prevent kidney stones from forming.
On the whole, consuming a moderate intake of limes can help to improve immunity, aid in iron absorption, and leave you with lovely healthy skin.
Chamoy Sauce
Chamoy sauce is a popular Mexican condiment made from a variety of dried fruits, sugar, and chile peppers. Essentially it’s like a spicy jam. The thick sauce is added to the drink, usually in layers between the mango puree.
The dried fruit usually used in the sauce includes apricots and peaches, each of which contains naturally high levels of sugar and salt.
Consuming too much sugar can lead to weight gain and increases the risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Some evidence has found that consuming too much chamoy produces heartburn and gastritis. As it is a sauce and isn’t used in huge quantities in mangonadas there isn’t much cause for concern, but it is something to keep in mind.
Tajin
Tajin is a Mexican seasoning that is made of a variety of peppers, lime, and salt. The seasoning is mainly used to flavor the rim of the drink, similar to a margarita. Used to flavor almost anything in Mexican cuisine, this versatile spice is actually very healthy.
It doesn’t contain any calories, fat, carbs, sugar, or protein. Although it doesn’t have many unhealthy elements, it also doesn’t contain any particularly beneficial health elements either.
There are small amounts of sodium in the spice, which is perfectly healthy considering the amount that would be consumed with a mangonada.
For those that are watching their sodium levels and are looking to make a tasty mangonada at home, there are a number of low-sodium options for the spice available from marketplaces such as Amazon.
Tamarind
This doesn’t refer to the usual tamarind paste that we use in cooking. With mangonadas, a tamarind straw also known as a tarugo is made from a spicy tamarind candy paste.
These aren’t essential as they are mainly used to add extra flavor as well as drink from, but they can be ordered online or found in a Mexican grocery store.
Tamarind contains lots of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, both of which are beneficial for our health.
Calcium is important to keep our bones healthy and strong. This mineral also plays an important function in blood clotting and helping muscles contract.
Magnesium is helpful in boosting energy levels and is often recommended for the support of muscle and nerve function. It is important not to take too much magnesium as this can lead to adverse side effects.
Usually associated with bananas, potassium is a mineral that helps to maintain normal levels of fluid inside our cells. This also means that it helps the normal functioning of cells, which is vital for a healthy life.
All of these health benefits may not be seen from a small candy straw, however, it’s important to know the role of each ingredient.
Are Mangonadas Healthy?
When looking over the ingredients of mangonadas, they are quite healthy. Although some ingredients contain potentially harmful substances, the quantities used in these frozen treats are so small that they are unlikely to impact one’s health.
The average serving of mango contains around 23g of sugar, so a mangonada will probably have a little more sugar in it than this.
Natural sugars aren’t harmful when consumed in moderation, which is how we would advise anyone to consume these frozen drinks.
Consuming too much sugar in any form can lead to tooth decay and cause tooth sensitivity, this could occur when consuming too much fruit such as citrus fruit.
The Bottom Line
It’s important to be aware of the ingredients in our food as they can have negative effects on our health.
Mangonadas are similar to smoothies and are full of essential vitamins and minerals that help maintain a healthy lifestyle.
