Do Mangos Help With Sex?

Whether you’re a casual reader or a health nut, chances are you’ve come across headlines about the health benefits of mangoes. From aphrodisiac and weight loss booster to constipation and cholesterol buster, headlines seem to suggest there’s nothing these tropical fruits can’t do. But when it comes to the supposed benefits of mangos sexually speaking, claims can be a bit overblown.

While some nutrients and compounds in mangos have been proven to improve sexual performance, a mango a day only boosts sex drive when it’s part of an overall healthy lifestyle. In other words, because mangoes are a rich source of essential nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants, they can help your sex life insofar as they’re a good source of these things. 

Read on to learn more about how mango promotes sexual wellness, and your wellness overall.

The mango is a tropical fruit and a member of the cashew family. Sometimes, mangos are called the “king of fruits” because they taste like a mixture of oranges, pineapple, and peaches.

While the mango fruit is what’s most commonly lauded for its benefits, mango trees, their bark, and their leaves have also provided benefits dating back 4,000 years. 

For instance, the leaves of a particular species of mango called Mangifera indica have been used in healing practices like Ayurveda for thousands of years. In India, they are considered a sacred fruit, with some believing mango trees grant wishes. 

In other words, they have a long history of use for their health benefits. But while traditional medicine, home remedies, and spiritual practices are certainly worth respecting, here are the benefits that a dietitian or other healthcare professional would highlight about this fruit.

Source of Vital Nutrients

A serving of 100 grams of mango (less than one measuring cup) contains an array of nutrients that benefit your health including vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, folate, dietary fiber, niacin, and the antioxidant mangiferin. 

This tropical fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, containing 40 percent of the recommended daily value. Vitamin C aids your immune system, helps your body absorb iron, and promotes cell growth and repair.

Mangos also contain small amounts of vitamin B6, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin K.

Vitamin A is essential for many health benefits, including:

• Immune system functioning

• Vision

• Male and female reproduction

• Bone health

May Help Prevent Diabetes

Fresh mango is relatively high in natural sugar compared to other fresh fruits, containing over 13 grams of sugar per 100 grams. 

You might think eating mangos wouldn’t be good for those with metabolic conditions like diabetes or folks trying to limit their sugar intake. But as it turns out, there’s no evidence that eating fresh mango is unhealthy for people with diabetes.

In fact, multiple studies have actually linked a higher intake of fresh fruit with a lower risk of diabetes. However, not much research has looked at the specific connection between fresh mango and diabetes.

One small study of 20 adults did find that participants who ate 10 grams of freeze-dried mango every day for 12 weeks experienced significant improvements in their blood sugar levels.

Still, mango is high in natural sugars and has the potential to cause a spike in your blood sugar levels if you eat too much at one time. With this in mind, it might be best to consume mango in moderation or pair it with fiber-rich foods to help limit blood sugar spikes.

Mangos are also a low-calorie but hydrating food, with a 100-gram serving containing around 60 calories and consisting of about 83 percent water.

If you’re thinking of swapping dried mango for the fresh-cut variety, be careful. The same amount of dried mango contains over 300 calories and almost five times as much sugar as raw mango.

High in Healthy Plant Compounds

Mango is packed with healthy plant compounds known as polyphenols. These plant compounds act as antioxidants to keep your body healthy.

Antioxidants protect your cells from free radicals, which are highly reactive compounds that can damage your cells. Research has linked free radical damage to chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.

Mango leaves also contain plant compounds, including polyphenols and terpenoids. Like the flesh of the fruit, terpenoids have antioxidant effects against free radicals.

There isn’t much research on the specific benefits of mango sexually, but the list of benefits above highlights their value to your cardiovascular, digestive, hormonal, and immune health. Mangos are packed with nutrients needed for sexual and reproductive function — and if you are deficient in these nutrients, mango could help with sexual health.

For example, a deficiency of vitamin C may contribute to erectile dysfunction. One review noted that vitamin C is among several vitamins and minerals that support the biochemical pathway that leads to the release of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is generally responsible for relaxing the soft tissue inside your penis, allowing blood flow to create an erection.

Another vitamin that mangos contain, vitamin A, is necessary for both male and female sex hormones to function properly.

Eating fruits and other foods that can help manage diabetes may also help improve sexual function. Erectile dysfunction, an incredibly common condition for men, is more likely to happen to those with medical conditions like diabetes, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

All of which to say, while any specific benefits of mango sexually need more research, there are plenty of overall health benefits from this fruit — including ones that might help your sex life.

Mangos may not increase your sex drive, but they certainly can be part of a nutritious, balanced diet that optimizes your overall health. They do this by providing a number of beneficial nutritional elements, including:

• Antioxidants. Mangos (and the leaves of mangos) contain plant compounds that act as antioxidants to help fend off chronic diseases.

• Vitamins. This sweet fruit also contains several vitamins, including high amounts of vitamin C for body immunity and vitamin A for sexual hormone production.

• Fiber. Although mangos contain high amounts of sugar, eating them along with other fruits, veggies and fiber-rich food could help manage diabetes.

A mango a day might not keep sexual dysfunction away, but with the right healthcare support (and as part of a healthy lifestyle), they’re certainly a welcome part of your diet.

Interested in learning more about the effects of certain foods and vitamins on sexual desire? Our guides on the best and worst foods for ED, foods that cause premature ejaculation and top vitamins for erectile dysfunction have more insight.

And if you are dealing with challenges, our sexual health resources and experts can help you figure out the best treatment plan for you. That could be lifestyle changes, or it might entail therapy or even medication (or both), depending on your symptoms and needs.