Antioxidants in Mangos

Most Americans fail to meet their recommended fruit intake, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 cups of fruit per day. In addition to their bright color, juicy texture and sweetness, mangoes contribute rich amounts of antioxidants -- nutrients that support your body's ability to resist and heal from infections and disease. To learn more about your personal nutrient needs, seek guidance from a qualified health care professional.

Vitamin A

One cup of sliced mango provides 1,262 IU of vitamin A, which fulfills 25 percent of the recommended daily allowance for adults. In addition to promoting a strong immune system, vitamin A plays an important role in vision, reproduction, bone growth, cell devision and healthy surface linings of your respiratory, intestinal and urinary tracts. The form of vitamin A in mangoes, known as betacarotene, provides potent antioxidant benefits, according to "American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide" by St. Louis, Ohio-based dietitian Roberta Larson Duyff, and is believed to guard against skin disorders, certain diseases and the adverse effects of aging.

Vitamin C

Deficient intake of the antioxidant vitamin C results in scurvy, a disease characterized by gum bleeding, loose teeth and excessive bleeding. Vitamin C also plays an important role in wound-healing. While large doses in dietary supplement form can contribute to kidney stones, diarrhea and iron overload, according to Duyff, natural food sources, such as mangoes, provide safe, nutritious options. One cup of sliced mango fulfills 100 percent of adults' RDA.

Mangiferin

Although mangiferin is a lesser-recognized nutrient in the general public, it has been deemed a "super-antioxidant" by scientists because of its superior disease-fighting properties. Mangiferin has inhibited tumor growth and reduced mucus buildup in rats and may guard against Parkinson's disease in humans and animals, according to a report published in "Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety" in Oct. 2008. Mango pulp contains 4.4 mg of mangiferin per kilogram. Its leaves, stem and peel contain significantly greater amounts.

Quercetin

Quercetin is an antioxidant and pigment that gives many flowers, vegetables and fruits their color. Quercetin acts as an antihistamine and anit-inflammatory, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, and may lower your risk for cancer and heart disease. Mango pulp contains 22.1 mg of quercetin 3-galactoside per kilogram, 16 mg of quercetin 3-glucoside per kilogram and 5 mg of quercetin 3-arabinoside per kilogram. Mango peel also contains rich amounts of quercetin.