Left: Mangoes (Mangifera indica), high in micronutrients, dietary fiber,

pigments and other phytochemicals

Right: Strawberries (Fragaria vesca), a multiple-nutrient whole-food superfruit.

 

[follow the Wikipedia links]

 

June marks the beginning of the fruit season in the northern hemisphere and is designated as the international month of the mango and strawberry -- two top-ranked whole food superfruits.

 

For a review of mango as the

top-ranked nutritional superfruit,

other superfruit criteria and rankings

of 14 true superfruits , click here!

 

Mango and strawberry are not related botanically but share in common several characteristics

• two of the most popular fruits based on volume of annual production and number of consumer products

• high in dietary fiber, vitamin C and numerous other micronutrients -- these are key signatures of superfruits

• skin contains anthocyanins which are polyphenols potentially inhibiting inflammation mechanisms common to onset of various diseases

and....

• both contain lupeol, a natural terpene in the phytosterol category made by many plants for structural support of cell membranes, including elderberry, fig, cabbage, bell pepper, olive, and grape

• phytosterols have been granted an FDA health claim for lowering levels of blood cholesterol

• has anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-mutagenic and anti-malarial activity in vitro and in animal studies

• a multi-target molecule with substantial anti-inflammatory activity

• has potential anti-cancer activity click for research abstract

• may have specific application as a preventive agent against breast cancer click for research abstract

• may have specific application as a preventive agent against prostate cancer click for research abstract

• lupeol is related to betulinic acid, another anti-cancer candidate with strong research background, click!