Known as the “King of Fruits,” mango is a popular and delicious summer fruit. Filled with health-promoting nutrients and a unique sweet flavor, it’s no wonder the mango is growing in popularity across the globe. However, you may be asking yourself, “Is mango good for kidney patients?” Mangos are a nutrition powerhouse. However, there are some instances where certain kidney patients need to be cautious with mango. This article will discuss the nutritional benefits of mango in a renal diet and how kidney patients can safely enjoy mango.
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Table of Contents
Mango 101
Mango is a popular summer fruit with a delicious and unique taste and lots of vitamins and minerals.
Most mango crops come from Asian countries, particularly India. Mango season is typically March through September with some differences with the mango varieties.
Mangos belong to the Anacardiacae family. There are six varieties of mango: Honey mangos, Francis mangos, Haden mangos, Keitt mangoes, Kent mangos, and Tommy Atkins mangos.
The mango has three different parts: the pulp, the peel, and the kernel. The pulp is the most frequently eaten part of the fruit and contains lots of different vitamins and minerals.
The pulp, also known as the mesocarp, is what most of us think of when we think about eating mango.
This part of the mango is what is used to make mango juice, jellies, and jams as well as the plain, raw fruit.
The pulp of the mango contains mostly carbohydrates and some protein. It also contains noteworthy micronutrients such as fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium.
Mango Nutrition and Health Benefits
Let’s look at some specific nutrients when it comes to mangoes, and how it relates to kidney health.
Fiber
This may come as a shock, but mango is a good source of fiber.
With 3 grams in a cup of raw mango (165 grams), it provides over 10% of our daily fiber needs.
Fiber is one of the nutrients that many kidney patients don’t get enough of.
However, getting enough fiber is one of the more proven ways to support kidney health.
In general, it’s important to get at least 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories in a diet. That means a 2,000 calorie diet should have 28 grams of fiber.
Higher fiber intake has been associated with higher eGFR, lower C-reactive protein (an inflammatory marker). Lower fiber intake has been associated with higher triglyceride levels in kidney patients.
Vitamin C
The mango pulp is high in Vitamin C, which is very important for our general health as well as our kidney health.
In fact, many kidney patients may have low levels of vitamin C and require more in their diet.
It’s important to note that vitamin C supplements are not always safe for kidney patients as it may increase oxalate production in the body.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant. An antioxidant is a substance that can help stop or slow down damage to our cells.
Equally important, vitamin C can help keep our immune system healthy. It can also help our bodies absorb iron (think anemia and blood health!).
A 100-gram serving of raw mango has 36 mg of Vitamin C.
The recommended daily allowance for Vitamin C for adults 19 years or older is 90 mg for males and 75 mg for females.
Consuming mango can be a great way to help meet daily Vitamin C requirements.
Vitamin A
The pulp of the mango also includes high levels of Vitamin A.
Vitamin A helps with our immune health, the health of the cells in our bodies and our eye health.
The recommended daily allowance for Vitamin A for adults 19 years or older is 900 mcg for males and 700 mcg for females.
A 100-gram serving of mango has 54 mcg of Vitamin A.
For more information about vitamin A, check out our article about Vitamin A and kidney disease.
Carotenoids
Do you ever wonder what gives mango its distinct color? Carotenoids are responsible for the beautiful yellow, orange and red colors that we see in the mango.
Carotenoids are pigments that are found naturally in foods that may have benefits to our health.
One of the most common carotenoids found in mango is called beta-carotene.
Beta-Carotene is converted to Vitamin A in our bodies and can help protect our cells against damage.
Studies have found that diets that contain fruits and vegetables that have high amounts of carotenoids, like mango, may help fight against certain diseases, particularly cancer.
Potassium
Mangos are a source of potassium. However, they’re not as high in potassium as you’d think.
Portion size is key. A 1-cup serving of raw mango contains 277 mg of potassium. This is considered high potassium.
However, a ½ cup of raw mango contains approximately 139 mg of potassium, which is considered low potassium.
Some people with kidney disease, however, need to follow a potassium restriction.
If you have a potassium restriction given by your doctor or dietitian, be sure to ask how you can fit mango into your diet.
Using a food tracker like Cronometer* to track potassium intake can be helpful to find ways to fit mango and other desired foods into a renal diet even with a potassium restriction.
However, it’s important to understand that not everyone on a renal diet should be limiting potassium.
Studies have linked a healthy potassium intake (coupled with a low sodium diet) to better heart health, especially better blood pressure control.
Click here to learn more about the low potassium diet.
The Peel and the Kernel
The peel and kernel are the other two parts of the mango that are less commonly eaten.
The peel, similar to the pulp, contains fiber, Vitamin C and carotenoids.
Due to this high level of nutrients, the peel is sometimes processed and added into food supplements. However, the peel usually just goes to waste.
The kernel, also referred to as the mango seed kernel, has different uses.
Compared to the peel and the pulp, the mango seed kernel has a higher amount of fat (also called lipids).
This can be processed and turned into mango seed oil, which is structurally and chemically similar to cocoa butter.
Mango seed oil is not very common, but can be used to cook and make chocolate.
Is Mango Good for Kidney Stones?
So, we answered the question “Is mango good for kidney patients?” However, now let’s ask the question, “Is mango good for kidney stones?”
First, you need to know what type of kidney stones you have. If you don’t know what type of stone you have, ask your doctor!
The type of stone can help determine the best diet for you and your kidneys.
If you have calcium oxalate stones, your dietitian might tell you to lower the amount of oxalate in your diet.
Raw mango and mango juice have a low oxalate content.
At the moment, there are no studies that directly measure if mango is good for kidney stones.
However, we do know that a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables may help prevent kidney stones from forming in the first place or coming back if you have already had them.
Including whole mangos can help you increase the amount of fruits and veggies in your diet.
Can I Eat Mango If I Have A Fluid Restriction?
Some people with kidney disease need to follow a fluid restriction. Fluid restrictions ordered by a physician are very important. They are in place to help take care of your heart.
It can help make sure the heart does not have to work too hard to pump excess fluid.
Foods, like mango, can provide some of our water. A 1 cup serving of raw mango has 138 grams of water.
This is equivalent to 138 milliliters of water, or about half a cup. This needs to be factored into your daily fluid intake if a fluid restriction is ordered.
If you need to follow a fluid restriction, speak with your dietitian about how mango and other watery foods fit into your daily fluid requirements.
Check out our article about fluid restrictions here.
Nutrition Chart for Mango Options
There are many different ways that you can eat a mango! We want to focus on including the whole fruit, rather than just fruit juice.
The whole fruit will have more nutrients, particularly fiber. This can contribute to better heart health and blood sugar control.
Frozen mango can oftentimes be a less expensive option and usually lasts longer than fresh mango.
Frozen mango does great in smoothies or can be eaten by itself.
Form of Mango (Per 100g) | Potassium | Fiber | Vitamin C | Beta-Carotene |
---|---|---|---|---|
Raw Mango | 168 mg | 2 g | 36 mg | 640 µg |
Canned Mango | 114 mg | 1 g | 21 mg | 408 µg |
Frozen Mango | 168 mg | 2 g | 36 mg | 640 µg |
Dried Mango | 279 mg | 2 g | 42 mg | 786 µg |
Mango Nectar | 24 mg | <1 g | 15 mg | 402 µg |
When choosing a canned, frozen, dried or juice form of mango, be sure to check the ingredients list.
Look for products that have little to no added sugar, sodium or phosphorus and potassium additives.
That’s it. Apple + Mango fruit bars* are a great example of a product with no unnecessary additives or ingredients.
One bar has 3 grams of fiber and 165 milligrams of potassium, along with 15 milligrams of vitamin C and even 1 gram of iron.
How to Cut a Mango
Unsure of how to cut or eat a fresh mango?
There are some easy tips and tricks to make eating mango a mess-free experience.
The mango has one rather large seed smack dab in the middle of the fruit. The seed is what makes slicing the mango tricky for lots of folks.
There are mango splitters that are available for purchase, like this one on Amazon.*
However, using a clean, sharp knife can work just fine as well.
- First, wash the mango and grab a cutting board and knife.
- Next, lay the mango on its side and locate the center. The center of the mango is where the seed will be. ¼ of an inch on either side of the center, make a slice all the way through.
- Once you have your two side slices, slice the mango as you like. You can make strips or a grid, just make sure not to cut all the way through the skin.
- Scoop out with a spoon and enjoy!
Watch How to Cut a Mango
Below is a video from the Mango Board to demonstrate ways to cut a mango.
How To Enjoy Mango In a Kidney-Friendly Diet
Ready to put your mango cutting skills to the test? Try these easy kidney-friendly ways to include mango.
Smoothies
Grab some frozen mango and blend into a refreshing smoothie. Try blending together:
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1 cup soy milk (unsweetened)
- half frozen banana
- 1 tablespoons of chia seeds
This nutrition information was collected using our preferred food journal tracker, Cronometer. Click here to try it for free!*
Ice-Cream Alternative
Blend plain frozen mango and your milk of choice to make a kidney-friendly “nice-cream”.
Or look for mango sorbet or bars like these in grocery stores near you.
Sweet Topping
Use diced mango as a topping for yogurt, acai bowls, salads, or even a fruit pizza.
Fruit Kebob
Use fresh mango and your other favorite summer fruits to make fruit kebobs. Pair with other fruits like grapes, watermelon, pineapple, and banana.
Sprinkle with some reduced-sodium Tajin* for a spicy kick or cinnamon for a sweeter version.
Add some caramelization by grilling them for a couple of minutes.
Salsa
Try a mango salsa. The mango adds a delicious sweet flavor which can help you cut back on the salt.
Make your own with mango, onion, cilantro, fresh jalapeno, and lime juice or find some already made in stores like this one (it’s low in sodium!).
Grab some low sodium tortilla chips* and enjoy as a light and delicious summer snack.
The Bottom Line: Is Mango Good For Kidney Patients?
So, is mango good for kidney patients? Short answer, yes.
Mangoes are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals (plant chemicals) that can be beneficial to our health.
Kidney patients might need to be cautious if they have a potassium restriction or a fluid restriction. However, a 1/2 cup serving is considered low in potassium and can fit into a renal diet even with fluid or potassium restrictions.
With the help of your dietitian, you can incorporate mango into your diet and enjoy this “King of Fruits” this summer.
Jen Hernandez is a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in renal nutrition. She has nearly a decade of experience with kidney disease patients in all stages - from stage 1 through kidney transplant. Jen writes on the blog of Plant-Powered Kidneys to help reach and teach more kidney patients about how they can enjoy more foods in a plant-based diet while protecting kidney health.