I accidentally ate this fruit and my mouth swelled up like a sausage!

Review expert: Shi Jun, Ph.D. in botany, well-known popular science writer Mango cake, mango mousse, mango yogurt... sweet mango can be said to be the favorite of many friends. Unlike other fruits, mango always has a wonderful special fragrance, so that some people find it difficult to accept it when they eat it for the first time. But once you get used to the taste of mango, most people will soon become addicted to it and can't stop eating it.

Mangoes and various mango foods are loved by people because of their special aroma and sweet and sour taste. So where does this unique aroma of mango come from?

Source: pexels

Where does the special aroma of mango come from?

According to research, mango contains no less than 270 kinds of volatile substances , mainly including terpenes, esters, alcohols and ketones, among which terpenes and esters account for the largest proportion. These different types of volatile substances give mango a unique flavor and aroma.

For example, terpenes give mangoes a violet-like aroma, while esters give mangoes a peach-like aroma. Of course, different types of mangoes have different proportions of different volatile substances, so that each variety of mango has its own unique aroma.

Source: pexels

So how are these aromatic substances produced? Amino acids, fats and carbohydrates in fruits are synthesized into these aromatic substances through the metabolism of amino acids, isoprenoids and carotenoids under the catalysis of an enzyme.

Of course, the synthesis of mango aroma substances is also affected by a series of external factors, such as the growth environment, cultivar, maturity of the fruit at harvest and temperature during ripening, etc. These different factors interact with each other and jointly contribute to the formation of mango's special aroma.

Here I will tell you a few tips for choosing mangoes. Try not to choose mangoes that are still green at both ends. Choose ripe mangoes with yellow spots but not cracked. Such mangoes are more delicious.

Why does my mouth swell up when I eat mango?

Some people are ardent fans of mangoes, while others are not very enthusiastic about them. Some people even get swollen mouths after eating mangoes . What is going on behind the scenes?

Source: pexels

In fact, this is related to allergic reactions. Some people experience tingling and burning sensations on their lips within minutes after drinking freshly squeezed mango juice or eating mango pulp directly, accompanied by swelling and pain in the throat. This symptom is called oral allergy syndrome (OAS).

This allergic reaction is caused by allergens that are small molecules or certain proteins in nature. The allergic substances mainly include pinene, urushiol and limonene, which can cause contact allergic rashes in different people.

These small molecules have strong chemical activity. After entering the human body, they first combine with tissue proteins to become immune antigens and stimulate the production of immune cells. When this antigen enters the human body again, immune cells will accumulate and then transfer to the epidermis to cause a corresponding immune response. Inflammatory cells will release cytokines in the epidermis to destroy keratinocytes, causing these cells to separate and further lead to contact dermatitis or epidermal edema.

Cut mango source: pixabay

Therefore, although mangoes are delicious, don't eat too much. Especially for people with severe allergic reactions, it may cause a series of consequences such as shock, so for the sake of health, everyone should be cautious when eating mangoes.

For ordinary people, how can we minimize the "destructive power" of mangoes? First, we can peel the mango peel, because the mango peel contains the most allergens, and then cut the mango into small pieces before eating, and try not to get the mango juice on your skin. In addition, you can rinse your mouth in time after eating mangoes. Only by eating mangoes in moderation and in the right way can you enjoy both deliciousness and health.

Can the green silvergrass on the roadside be eaten?

May and June are the seasons when mangoes ripen. The mangoes on the street fruit stalls are fragrant, but some people have turned their attention to the mangoes on the mango trees in the green belts on the streets . It is a pity that the mangoes growing on the street are not popular. So the question is, can the mangoes grown on the mango trees in the green belts be eaten? Are they delicious?

Source: Wuzhou Daily

The mangoes we usually eat are varieties that have been carefully cultivated over several years to be suitable for consumption, delicious and juicy. However, the selection of mango tree varieties in green belts is not based on the principle of "taste first".

You should know that the main function of green belts is to purify the air, beautify the environment, remove dust from smoke, reduce noise , etc., just like the "scavengers" in the streets, so the most important requirement for tree species is high carbon fixation ability. In terms of the appearance of mango trees, edible fruit trees are not tall for people to pick them easily, while green mangoes on the street are generally lush and leafy, which is conducive to absorbing more exhaust gas. In this way, you can't have your cake and eat it too. Even if green mangoes are edible, they have less flesh, more fiber, and taste sour and astringent, and the taste is definitely not good.

In addition, leaving aside the question of whether it tastes good or not, it is not certain whether the green mango is edible. Although the green mango itself is not toxic as a fruit tree, urban management staff will regularly spray pesticides to prevent pests and diseases, so there is a high probability that there will be pesticide residues on the fruit.

To sum up, you should not think about eating green mangoes. Not only are they unpalatable, they may also be harmful to your health. I believe everyone has made up their mind that this is a thing that has only disadvantages and no advantages.

If you want to eat mango, just go to the fruit stand.