The relationship between mango and skin yellowing has nothing to do with its external color, but mainly with its rich nutrient "carotene"
Carotene is a nutrient and plays an important role in maintaining human health. However, it is also a lipid pigment. Excessive intake of carotene will lead to excessive carotene in the blood, which will lead to carotene anemia. When carotene is deposited on the skin, it is called carotenoid dermatosis, which will lead to yellowing of the skin. This kind of skin yellowing phenomenon is common in the thickest part of the stratum corneum, such as palm and sole, or where the subcutaneous fat layer is thicker and sebaceous glands are more. Sometimes it may also appear at the tip of the nose, between the nose and mouth, and on the face. In severe cases, the whole body skin will be orange.
Carotene family members include α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene and lutein. This nutrient cannot be produced in the human body, but is obtained from food. Carotene can be ingested not only in mango, but also in red, dark yellow and dark green vegetables and fruits. These fruits and vegetables include mango, papaya, tomato, red plum, orange, dried apricot, cantaloupe, pumpkin, red sweet potato, carrot, kale, sweet potato leaves, spinach, leek and so on. In addition, because of the need of eye care, some patients also supplement lutein nutrition. After a few years, the skin of hands and feet turns yellow, which is because lutein is actually a carotenoid.
Although carotene may cause skin to precipitate carotene, it is also an important nutrient needed by human body. Beta carotene is the predecessor of vitamin A, which can prevent dry eye, night blindness and vision loss, while lutein can prevent and improve macular degeneration. These vitamins are very important for protecting eyes. Beta carotene is also considered to have antioxidant capacity and protect the heart and blood vessels.
Because carotene is an important nutrient, it is very important to take it in moderation. Generally speaking, the daily intake of vitamin A is 5000 international units, beta carotene is 10000 international units (equivalent to 6 mg), and lutein is 6 mg. According to the recommendations of the International Health Organization, children should eat three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruits every day, adult women should eat four servings of vegetables and three servings of fruits every day, and adult men should eat five servings of vegetables and four servings of fruits every day. When a vegetable is eaten raw, it is100g, which is about a bowl, and when it is cooked, it is half a bowl (standard cup or bowl is 240 cc). A portion of fruit is about 3-4 taels, and after cutting, it is about half a bowl, about the size of a fist.
To what extent can excessive intake of carotene cause carotene? Generally, after taking too much carotene for four to seven weeks, it may appear when the carotene in the body exceeds the normal value by three to four times and is greater than 250 micrograms (ug/dL) per unit of blood. As long as the excessive intake of carotene is stopped, the yellowing of the skin will gradually decrease. If the intake of carotene is stopped for a long time, but the skin is still yellow, it is recommended to go to the hospital to check the metabolic function in the body. In addition, in addition to carotene anemia, jaundice caused by liver disease will also make the skin yellow. The trick to distinguish the two can be seen in the patient's eyes. Carotenemia does not make the sclera yellow, but jaundice does, so we can distinguish the two diseases by seeing whether the patient's eyes are yellow.
Proper intake of vegetables and fruits makes people healthy and energetic, but too much intake will make people look yellow and old! Modern people should pay attention to balanced and moderate intake while enjoying delicious food and paying attention to health preservation!