Overview
Medically reviewed by Dr. Rabeya Afroz Shomi
Aam Panna
Apart from being famed as a ‘heat beater’ during the season of summer, Aam Panna is a health drink that comes with a number of impressive health benefits. The main ingredients of this drink (being an organic source) are raw mangoes which naturally makes it a tasty yet healthy beverage. Apart from being a tasty addition to a healthy diet, Aam Panna comes packed with a lot of essential nutrients. Some of the major health benefits of having Aam Panna are that it helps in dealing with constipation issues, heals blood disorders, improves the quality of the skin as well as the health of the eyes. Aam Panna reduces depression, prevents dehydration and diarrhea. Aam Panna also provides energy, increases the immunity or bacterial resistance of the body.
Aam Panna is a health drink that is made up of unripe green mangoes. So naturally, it retains the light green or yellow color of raw mangoes. Aam panna is usually made with sugar and salt (or black salt) as per the taste. Sometimes even roasted cumin powder is added to Aam Panna to enhance its taste. The addition of mint leaves enhance the green texture of it. Considered to be an ideal drink during the hot summer, Aam Panna is also referred to as a raw mango drink. It is a popular refreshing beverage in South Asia predominantly in India and comes in both sweet and salty flavors but sour to taste.
Nutritional Value of Aam Panna
One normal glass of Aam Panna contains around 180 calories. Aam Panna is rich in carbohydrates and vitamins - A, B1, B2 and C. It also provides essential minerals such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, and calcium. Nutrients like folate, pectin, choline are also present in it. The amount of nutritional value that a glass of Aam Panna can provide depends on the quantity of the unripe mangoes and other ingredients that are added to it.
Nutritional facts Per 1 serving
Vitamins and Minerals
Health Benefits of Aam Panna
Improves digestion
As Aam Panna contains high amounts of fiber, it naturally becomes a digestion-friendly beverage. Plus, the bio-active components that it contains, such as aldehyde, easteras, etc. also work towards improving the body's digestion system. The presence of vitamin B in it helps in the cleansing of intestines and helps deal with gastrointestinal disorders. It also helps in preventing diarrhea if consumed limitedly.
Helps fight diabetes
When it comes to fighting against diabetes or high blood sugar, limited intake of Aam Panna is found to be of great help. Helping bring the blood insulin levels to normalcy, Aam Panna is considered to be a sure shot remedy for bringing down high insulin levels. Aam (Mango) is known to have a low glycemic index which makes it certain that it doesn't contribute in any way to an increase in insulin levels when drunk up to a certain limit.
Rich in minerals
The loss of a considerable amount of electrolytes, especially sodium; often lead to heat stroke. Being extremely rich in minerals like sodium, magnesium, and potassium, a glass of Aam Panna helps bring back the right balance of electrolytes to the body. A perfect balance of electrolytes, play a crucial role in supplying the required energy to the body for doing daily activities. Electrolytes also help in regulating the right pH and fluid balance in the body while also removing fatigue. A cool glass of Aam Panna helps in electrolyte deficiency and keeps heat stroke at bay.
Helps fight diseases
Aam Panna plays an important role in curing various kinds of diseases caused by bacterial infection. Containing citric, oxalic and malic acids, Aam Panna encourages a kind of bile secretion that functions as an intestinal antiseptic for healing diseases such as urticarial, jaundice and liver disorders etc.
Vitamin C abundant
Being a rich source of vitamin C, Aam Panna also helps in healing various blood disorders. Vitamin C present in Aam Panna boosts the formation of the new blood cells and increases the blood vessels’ elasticity. Aam Panna also helps in preventing certain unhealthy blood tendencies. The high amount of vitamin C present in Aam Panna helps trigger the iron absorption inside blood cells.
Packed with nutrients
The various nutrients that Aam Panna contains, such as vitamin A, calcium, magnesium and iron along with vitamin C, play a significant role in promoting proper and regular waste extraction from the body. Vitamin C also helps to prevent or treat skin diseases like scurvy that occur due to the severe lack vitamin C in our diet. The presence of Beta-carotene and vitamin A work towards rejuvenating and repairing damaged skin, bringing an extra glow to it.
Improves intestinal disorders
Aam Panna contains a particular nutrient called pectin which serves as the perfect solution for treating gastro-internals disorders. When this particular structural heteropolysaccharide, pectin gets mixed with honey or salt, it becomes a natural cure to various intestinal problems such as chronic dyspepsia, diarrhea, piles, dysentery, and constipation.
Prevents cancer
The rich amount of vitamin C that Aam Panna contains also works towards producing a good amount of antioxidants such as quercetin, methyl gallate, fisetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin etc. It is these anti-oxidant agents that protect the body from various forms of cancer, such as colon, stomach, lung, prostate, leukemia and breast cancer etc.
Reduced depression
Another major health benefit of Aam Panna is that it helps in reducing depression and gives a boost to one’s concentration ability. Vitamin B6 that Aam Panna contains, help in the production of gamma-amino butyric acid, which is essential for making the central nervous system act as a neurotransmitter, which in turn helps the mind to feel relaxed and distressed. The glutamine acid that Aam Panna contains increases the ability to concentrate as well as boost the memory cells to increase memory power.
Great for the eyes
Being a rich source of vitamin A, Aam Panna becomes beneficial for our eyes too. Be it protecting the eyes from various diseases, such as dry eyes, cataract and night blindness or offering some of the fundamental flavonoid compounds such as alpha and beta-carotene, Aam Panna ensures the good health of one's vision.
Helps in pregnancy
Aam Panna is a rich source of Folates which help in preventing birth defects and ensure healthy growth of a baby in the womb. Having Aam Panna in limited amounts during one’s pregnancy can help prevent risks the baby can face such as birth defects as well as ensuring that the baby grows well.
It Is iron rich
Being a great source of iron, Aam Panna also helps in meeting the daily iron needs of the body. Not only this, when it comes to preventing any diseases caused due to iron deficiency, such as anemia, Aam Panna can be one of the best sources of iron intake. The calcium and magnesium it contains along with vitamin C ensure strong teeth as well as stronger gums.
Uses of Aam Panna
Aam Panna is widely consumed as a refreshing drink, both at home or at restaurants. The procedure for preparing Aam Panna is super easy, thus making it one of the most popular homemade summer drinks. Due to its heat resistant properties, Aam Panna is used as a healthy and energizing beverage during the scorching heat of summer. Nowadays, various beverage companies are producing ready-made Aam Panna mixtures. These mixtures are used in making instant Aam Panna drinks, thus eliminating the need for processing the unripe mangoes to make them at home.
Side-Effects & Allergies of Aam Panna
Aam Panna is not known for causing any major side effects or allergies. At times, people may experience a few side effects or even develop allergies, depending on the amount of each ingredient used in it. Drinking too many glasses of Aam Panna may lead to diabetes or high blood sugar, weight gain, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues. Sometimes, depending on the type of mango used in it, Aam Panna may cause allergies such as runny nose, breathing issues or watery eyes.
Origin And Cultivation of Aam Panna
Aam Panna is not known for causing any major side effects or allergies. At times, people may experience a few side effects or even develop allergies, depending on the amount of each ingredient used in it. Drinking too many glasses of Aam Panna may lead to diabetes or high blood sugar, weight gain, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues. Sometimes, depending on the type of mango used in it, Aam Panna may cause allergies such as runny nose, breathing issues or watery eyes.