Benefits of Mango Sexually (Including Mango Leaf)

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Throughout much of history, mango groves were considered status symbols in Southeast Asia. The fruit was and still is, considered a symbol of male sexuality in that part of the world. The benefits of mango sexually probably evolved from this association.

However, today we understand from a scientific standpoint how mango can support sex drive and potentially improve sexual performance. Let’s take a closer look at mango sex benefits, starting with mango’s aphrodisiac reputation.

Table of Contents

The history of mango and sex (why mango is an aphrodisiac)

The fruit is believed to have originated in Eastern India. And that nation has embraced the fruit for centuries. An Indian poet, perhaps the victim of too much fermented mango juice, took his affair with the ripe fruit so far as to dub whole mangoes as “sealed jars of paradisiacal honey.” At one point, (and possibly still today), men were prescribed mango “therapy” to increase libido and sexual performance.

But Southeast Asia is not the only part of the world to celebrate the sensuality of the sexy mango fruit. In Caribbean music, there are references to ripe, juicy mango as a metaphor for female genitalia.

The sexual benefits of eating mango

From a nutritional standpoint, mangos are a good source of vitamins A and C. Now, these vitamins won’t directly raise sexual hormone levels. However, they’re both important to your sex life. As a fat-soluble vitamin, A is necessary for the normal functioning of your sex organs. And without an ample amount of fat-soluble vitamins, you can’t even produce sex hormones. Additionally, vitamin A is good for eyesight, most notably night vision. True, this won’t improve sex drive, but it might give you a performance edge under romantic mood lighting. Vitamin C is well known for its benefits in the fight against aging. Vitamin C may also lower blood pressure and help you maintain healthy blood flow to your sex organs.

Benefits to women’s fertility

And if you’re looking to conceive, you might want to increase your mango intake, as a single serving of mango contains 18% of your recommended daily intake of folate. According to The Fertility Institute, the folate found in foods like mangos is associated with a better chance of becoming pregnant in women who are undergoing fertility treatment. It is also important for women who become pregnant, as it can help prevent early pregnancy defects.

Mango benefits for men

Mango is also a source of several minerals connected with sexual health, including magnesium, potassium and manganese. (The potassium and manganese content may be the best mango benefits for men. As far as men’s health goes, manganese is a vital nutrient for sex drive.)

Benefits of mango to both men and women

There is another significant nutrient in mangos that can directly help your sex life. The fruit is a natural source of vitamin E. This vitamin, a key to virility, is also known as the sex vitamin. A one-cup serving of mango will give you about 9% of your daily vitamin E intake.

And according to an article in the September 2009 edition of Food Chemistry, mango even contains traces of phytoestrogens, compounds that mimic estrogen and can potentially benefit the libido of both women and men.

Benefits of mango leaves sexually

It appears that it isn’t just the sweet flesh of the mango fruit that has health benefits. There is emerging science demonstrating the benefits of mango leaves (mostly when steeped to make tea). That’s not to say that the use of mango leaves is anything new. They’ve been used for centuries in Eastern medicine, as have the stems, bark and roots.

As for how mango leaves can benefit a healthy sex life, the leaves of the mango tree are rich in polyphenols, which are known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols are also linked with reproductive health. Mangiferin, a polyphenol found in particularly high amounts in mango leaves, is linked with heart health. It is also associated with cognitive function and may help improve memory. But further studies are needed to understand just what impact this can have on sexual health and overall health. It should be mentioned that there are some indications that mango leaf may have a negative impact on male fertility.

Because the science backing the aphrodisiac potential of mango leaves is only emerging, it is recommended that you check with a doctor before incorporating mango leaves for sexual health into your diet.

Cooking, recipes and serving suggestions

Although there are plenty of nutritional benefits to mango, poets and artists would suggest that this fruit’s aphrodisiac properties lie more in its juicy flesh and tangy sweetness. Don’t believe me? Check out the book Eat Mangoes Naked.

Want to take your mango pleasure to a new level? Try seasoning chunks of fresh mango with the aphrodisiac of chile pepper.

Two great recipes featuring mango:

Morning Mango Nice Cream
Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi with Mango Salsa

Discover more of the world’s greatest aphrodisiac foods

This article was written in 2010 and most recently updated in May 2023.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It should not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here are not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional. More information

Mango photo by liwanchun for Pixabay

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Amy Reiley

Eat Something Sexy's Creator & Editor-in-Chief Amy Reiley is the award-winning author of five aphrodisiac cookbooks. She has her Master of Arts in Gastronomy, awarded by Le Cordon Bleu and The University of Adelaide. She is also a Certified Nutrition Coach awarded by the International Sports Sciences Association and she is a California Certified Massage Therapist.

Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.

Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.

Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.