Mango is a fruit produced by multiple species of tropical trees, most of which are found in the wild and produce wild mangoes. It is one of the most widely cultivated fruits in tropical areas.
The mango we mostly consume today originated in South-East Asia where there are traces of mango cultivation as early as 2000 B.C.
The rest of the world knows them mostly for their very appealing taste. They are usually consumed fresh or in juice form, but they have also become an ingredient that adds a unique flavor to many dishes.
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Health Benefits of Mango Juice
In some parts of the world, mango is known as the king of all fruit due to its impressive nutritional profile.
Mango is low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals. It has a high amount of vitamin C, with almost 70% of daily recommended intake per cup. It also contains good amounts of vitamin A, B, C, E and K.
Potential health benefits of mangoes include boosting the immune system, improving digestive health, and improving the health of various body parts.
Considerations When Choosing Mango Juice
Since juice is the most accessible form of mango to people who don’t live in the area where mango naturally grows, it is important to go over the key considerations when choosing your brand of mango juice.
Organic
Organic food was grown without the use of man-made fertilizers, pesticides, and growth regulators.
Genetic modification is also forbidden when it comes to organic certification. Many of these man-made chemicals can contribute to health complications and it is recommended to avoid them in your diet if you can.
Added Sugars
It is perfectly normal for the majority of calories in fruit juice to come for sugars.
After all, fruit sugars are perfectly natural and they are much healthier than processed sugars.
Fresh mangoes have around 60 calories per 100g while fresh-squeezed mango juice has around 52. This is the amount you should expect to find in your mango juice.
Despite the mango’s natural sweet flavor, it is not uncommon for producers to put in some extra sugar. This added sugar offers no nutritional value and should be avoided if possible.
As a good rule of thumb, any mango juice that has more than 60 calories per 100ml probably contains some added sugar.
Concentrate
A concentrate is simply juice that was filtered through a processor that extracts water.
This reduces the space that the juice takes up which makes it easier to transport.
Before the juice is sold, the water is added again and the juice is quickly pasteurized to kill any pathogens.
Provided that these are the only things that happened to the juice, juice from concentrate isn’t any worse than juice that isn’t made from concentrate.
Concentrate only becomes a problem if it contains additives such as added sugars or its variations.
With that in mind, pay attention to the label and check if it contains additives regardless of the type of juice you’re buying.
Artificial Colors and Preservatives
Artificial color is added to food or drinks to make them look more appealing to consumers and to protect the nutrients and flavors from sunlight exposure.
The colors themselves can be derived from plants (in the case of natural colors), or they can be fully synthetic.
While both kinds are safe for human consumption, they can alter the perceived taste of your food or drink.
Because of this, it is best to avoid juice that contains artificial coloring if you want the most natural mango flavor possible.
Preservatives are chemicals added to extend the shelf life of food and drinks, and they can often be found in fruit juice.
Preservatives used by reputable producers are 100% safe for human consumption and you should have no problems as long as you follow the producer’s guidelines on storage and expiration date.
Still, it is probably a good idea to throw the juice away if you notice a weird smell or if you notice a change in the flavor beyond what is caused by temperature, even if the expiration date isn’t yet close.
Best Mango Juice Brands
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Primor Natural Fruit
This fruit puree is not made from concentrate. A package of 64 fl. oz. can be used to create as much as 2 whole gallons of mango juice.
One great benefit of this product is that is can also be used for purposes other than making juice.
You can add it to things such as ice cream, dressings, marinades, and pastries for a bit of mango flavor which makes it very versatile.
Since it is meant to be used in a variety of roles, it does contain some added sugar but the source of the sugar is natural cane.
It is also suitable for vegans, gluten-free, and GMO-free. Overall, it is a very versatile product and its only fault is the fact it contains added sugar.
- Nantucket Nectars Orange Mango Juice Drink
This is not pure mango juice but instead a blend of orange and mango that results in an unusual yet appealing mix of flavors.
This drink is the perfect healthy and delicious complement to your breakfast that will help you start the day off on the right foot.
The juice comes in packs of either 6 or 12 bottles and it is stored in glass bottles. It has a very natural flavour and is shopped quickly.
- Fruniti Fruit Concentrate
This concentrate is a blend of mango, apple, banana, and pineapple flavors.
The apple and the pineapple flavors are introduced through juice while mango and banana flavors are blended in as purees.
As a concentrate, it offers a 5-1 mixing ratio with water for a total yield of nearly 2 gallons of juice per bottle.
The concentrate is naturally sweetened and it is completely GMO-free and gluten-free.
Unfortunately, the concentrate comes in a plastic bottle and plastic is not exactly a great material for preserving and protecting liquids. The concentrate has a shelf life of about 18 months unopened but it is recommended to consume the concentrate within 30 days once it is opened.
If you like blends of flavors, this concentrate is likely to be a good choice for you.
- Mistic Mango Carrot Juice
This is yet another blend on our list, and this time it is a blend of mango and carrot.
Mangoes and carrots are a great mix, not only because of distinct flavors but also because both are packed full of nutrients, primarily vitamins A and C.
The juice comes in glass bottles in packs of either 12 or 24 bottles. We’ve already discussed the qualities of glass as a material for a juice bottle and it’s great to see it in this case.
It does have more added sugars than other brands in the form of high fructose corn syrup.
It does have a great flavor so it is definitely worth trying if you’re looking for a mango juice blend.
- Canoa Natural Fruit Purees / Fruit Pulp (Mango)
With this product, you can be sure that you’re getting a 100% natural smooth fruit puree that is not made from concentrate.
A single bottle of this puree can be used to make 2 gallons of juice which is a very good yield. It can also be used to add some mango flavor to various dishes, ice cream, marinades, etc.
It does contain added sugars in the form of natural cane sugar which is not the most welcome scenario.
This concentrate is completely suitable for vegans and it is both GMO-free and gluten-free.