The mango originated in Southeast Asia where it has been grown for over 4,000 years. Over the years mango groves have spread to many parts of the tropical and sub-tropical world, where the climate allows the mango to grow best. Mango trees are evergreens that will grow to 60 feet tall. The mango tree will fruit 4 to 6 years after planting. Mango trees require hot, dry periods to set and produce a good crop. Most of the mangos sold in the United States are imported from Mexico, Haiti, the Caribbean and South America. Today there are over 1,000 different varieties of mangos throughout the world.

Vitamin Content: Mango is rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Vitamin C content is more in raw mango as compared to that in ripe mango. It also has traces of Vitamin E, Vitamin B and Vitamin K.

The dulcet, juicy insides of the mango pack a nutritional punch. Its characteristic orange color is a clue to its storehouse of beta carotene (Vitamin A). Ripe mangos hold the highest levels of beta carotene, while green mangos are higher in Vitamin C. These antioxidant carotenoids are known for their protective power against certain cancers. Mangos also supply ample potassium, making them ideal for hypertensive patients or anyone looking to replenish energy after physical activity.

Mangoes are high in antioxidants, low in carbohydrates (although they are about 15% sugar – but good sugar!) and like other yellow/orange fruit such as pumpkin and carrot, they are an excellent source of beta-carotene (Vitamin A). They also contain Vitamin E and selenium which help protect against heart disease and cancer. You can obtain 40% of your daily fibre intake from a mango.

We all know the importance of fiber in our diets. If you are eating your mango-a-day, irregularity is not a problem for you and so we’ll spare the gruesome details regarding constipation, piles and spastic colon. Research has shown that dietary fiber has a protective effect against degenerative diseases, especially with regards to the heart; may help prevent certain types of cancer, as well as lowering blood cholesterol levels.

The nutritional value of mango makes it good for weight gain, eye disorders, hair loss, heat stroke, prickly heat, diabetes, bacterial infections, sinusitis, piles, indigestion, constipation, morning sickness, diarrhea, dysentery, scurvy, spleen enlargement, liver disorders, menstrual disorders, leucorrhea, and vaginitis.

Mango, being high in calories and carbohydrates, is good for those who are trying to gain weight. The phenolic compound found in mangoes has been found to have powerful antioxidant and anticancer properties. Being high in iron, mango is said to be very good for pregnant women as well as for people suffering from anemia. Mango is believed to be effective in relieving clogged pores of the skin.

Mangoes are a good source of vitamins and minerals essential for the human body. It is an affordable and seasonal fruit. In India mangoes are grown widely in the southern belt. ‘Alphonso’ variety of mango which is exported world wide is cultivated in ‘Ratnagiri’ in the southern part of India. Mangoes can be eaten both raw and ripe. Raw mangoes have a sharp sour taste, while the ripe mangoes are juicy and sweet to eat. The fragrance of ripe mangoes tingles ones taste buds
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There are lot of foods which may increase fertility in men who are trying to get a woman pregnant. Each has exacting nutrients known to help the body create more sperm. Popular examples include oysters, because their high level of zinc increases testosterone and semen making; clams and liver, both of which contain good amounts of vitamin B-12; whole grains, legumes and leafy green vegetables, known for their vitamin E content; and vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges and limes.

If your wife are trying to get pregnant, you’ll need to increase your sperm cell health. You can start by doing several things that have been proven to increase fertility and sperm count. Simple things like wearing looser clothing can lower the hotness around your testes, as heat is one thing that is well known to slow down sperm making.

Eat a diet that includes whole, natural foods. The best foods for health in general and also for sperm count problems, are whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.

Drinking more water and eating more “sperm friendly” foods are a good start in creating healthier sperm. For quicker and more noticeable results, clinically formulated sperm pills are an excellent option for raising sperm count, increasing semen volume, improving sperm motility, and promoting sperm health.

Asparagus, snow peas, cooked tomatoes, strawberries. The vitamins C in these foods affect sperm motility and viability. Vitamin C and vitamin A are found in many of the same foods: kale, red peppers, sweet potatoes, yellow veggies and fruits.

Eating eggs can not only help increase sperm count and but it can also improve the chances of fertilization. Eggs are in high in vitamin E, an ongoing deficiency of which has been linked to testicular tissue degeneration. The antioxidant quality of vitamin E can help to offset the negative effects that free radicals have on our body’s cells, including sperm.

Natural Nutritional Supplements
There are also a variety of vitamin supplements that may assist with low sperm count, like
* Vitamin C
*Zinc Arginine
*Carnitine
*Vitamin E
*Vitamin B12

Whole grain foods such as bread, cereal and crackers can increase your chromium levels, thereby growing your sperm count. In a text review of studies of the effects of chromium, the journal “Biological Trace Element Research” found that many studies indicate low chromium levels are correlated with decreased sperm count.

Zinc is vital for viable sperm count, motility and a high percentage of live sperm in the semen. Zinc is present in semen and therefore men can lose too much quantities of zinc through ejaculation – therefore it is critical that zinc is replaced through the diet daily. Foods rich in zinc such as lambs, turkeys, barleys, wheat, oysters, beans, nuts, red meats, raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds are considered to be the super-foods that can help to increase the sperm count in men.

Vegetables including broccoli, spinach, mustard, and other green vegetables help increase your sperm count significantly. Tomato also contains a lot of antioxidants that help increase sperm productivity. Zinc, selenium and chromium also help produce more sperm in men.

“Eat more greens” has been a common advice for generations. Rich in antioxidants is a fact about green vegetables. They contain various amounts of many phytochemicals including some really important ones like Vitamin C, flavonoids and carotenoids. The brassica group (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, etc) also contain sulphur compounds and indoles, which add extra punch.

Vitamins are found in various food groups. It is quite easy to achieve adequate intake by following a balanced diet according to the “Healthy Food Guide Pyramid” recommendations.Good sources of vitamin B complex include grain products, meats and vegetables. Vitamin B12 is responsible for red blood cell metabolism. Read the rest of this entry »

Preventing cavities is not just about good dental hygiene; it also is about what you eat and when you eat it. When you eat during meals the food does not stay on your teeth as long as when you eat in between meals. So if you have to have a sweet, it is better to have it with your meal than in between meals. Most people brush only after meals. Since it only takes about 20 minutes for plague to start forming on your teeth and to begin to damage enamel if you eat between meals and do not brush until after the next meal a lot of time will have passed from the time you eat your snack to the time you next brush your teeth.

All carbohydrates break down into simple sugars and the process starts in your mouth. Read the rest of this entry »

Essential oils are a major part of aromatherapy. How these strong, pungent and lasting aromas are created is often a mystery to the consumer. What follows are details on three commonly usedessential oils, where they are found, how they are extracted and what combinations of oils they can be used with.

Cypress Needles

Cupressus sempervirens, common in France the needles can be cut off and steamed to receive the oils contained within. This evergreen oil is a well known astringent, especially beneficial on skin that is very oily. Read the rest of this entry »