mangoes are more than just a delicious fruit

In many of America’s major cities with a large population of people with Caribbean ancestry, there’s one tell-tale sign besides the temperature that summer has arrived – mango consumption ratchets up. In these enclaves of the US, you may see someone enthusiastically walking down the street peeling a mango like a banana to consume the delicious treat without a care for the juice dripping from their lips and onto their fingers. We absolutely love this yellowish-orange fleshy fruit that can be perfectly sweet and perfectly sour simultaneously, makes a great breakfast or snack, and is easily portable. Plus, we’ve done our own unscientific research to determine that it’s virtually impossible to be upset while eating a mango. 

However, the impact the mango has in Haiti, where it is the national fruit, goes beyond summer vibes. Haiti produces more than 100 varieties of mangoes, according to Star of Hope, and the fruit is one of the island nation’s most important agricultural exports, according to Quixote Center. Mango production, which requires only a few trees in a backyard or on a farm, creates economic activity for small farmers and jobs in rural areas and is one of the best paths to reducing poverty in Haiti, states the Global Health Institute. The revenue generated from selling mangoes can help cover the farmers’ post-harvest expenses also. Economic security in these communities is critical in preventing diseases that are caused by poverty, which in turn strengthens the community as a whole.

Mango production is also a way of reversing the effects of deforestation in Haiti, and trees, in general, help protect and anchor the soil during hurricanes and other storms. This environmental impact also affects the economics of a small farmer, whose soil becomes enriched enough to produce other crops. 

The mango is a popular fruit across the globe mostly because of its taste, but it does have health benefits that are vital to our nutrition. Mangoes are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and potassium, and are a decent source of vitamin A and folate, according to the American Heart Association. As a result, they’re beneficial in preventing colon cancer and heart disease, and aid in weight control. The juicy fruits also contain antioxidants that protect the skin and body from free radicals that damage cells and cause diseases, including cancer. Our eyes and immune and digestive systems also benefit from the nutrients mangoes contain.

While mangoes may be the ultimate summer treat, its impact goes beyond the palate to being a source for economic security and reversing deforestation in Haiti, as well as promoting the health of the skin and the body internally.

Written by: Annika Harris