Amchur Powder (Dry Mango Powder): Uses, Benefits and Side Effects by Dr. Rajeev Singh

Introduction:

Amchur is a staple kitchen ingredient in south-Asian cuisine. Did you know that it has many health benefits?  It is made from dried and unripened mangoes. 

Mangoes are scientifically known as Mangifera indica L. They belong to the Anacardiaceae family and are native to India and Southeast Asia. Nowadays, they are grown in Central America, Africa, Australia, and Europe.¹ The mangoes are peeled, sliced thinly and sundried for three to four days. When the sliced mango turns brown and loses all its moisture, it is ground into fine powder. It is also sold as dry mango slices, which can be turned into powder at home. The colour may vary from beige to dark brown. Amchur powder has a tangy yet sweet taste.  

Amchur powder in English is called dry mango powder, raw mango powder and mango powder. It is also spelled as aamchur or amchoor powder. Keep scrolling to read more about the health benefits of amchur powder! 

Nutritional Value of Amchur Powder:

Amchur powder offers many essential nutrients and bioactive compounds, including carotenoids, antioxidants, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and volatile compounds.² According to the US Department of Agriculture, the nutritional value of amchur powder is as follows:³ 

• Energy: 360 kcal
• Carbohydrate: 90 gms 
• Fibre: 20 gms 
• Calcium: 200 mg
• Sodium: 3000 mg 
• Vitamin C: 12 mg

Studies show that the antimicrobial properties of dried mango powder (Amchur powder) might be far more potent than fresh extracts of the ripe pulp of mango. This property makes Amchur powder a potent anti-microbial against many infections.

Properties of Amchur Powder:

Amchur powder has the following properties:⁴ 

• It may be an antioxidant.  
• It may lower blood sugar. 
• It may delay the ageing process. 
• It may halt the multiplication of cancer cells. 
• It may have anti-inflammatory properties. 
• It may lower cholesterol levels. 
• It may lower serum uric acid levels. 
• It may act as an antibacterial agent. 

Potential Uses of Amchur Powder for Overall Health:

The existing studies show the following health benefits of amchur powder:   

Potential Uses of Amchur Powder for Cancer 

Cancer is a medical condition where the body cells multiply rapidly in an abnormal manner. A study by Imran et al. in 2017 showed that dried mango has a bioactive compound called mangiferin that can stop the cancer cells from dividing and promote their death in the lung, breast, blood and neuronal cancers. The findings show that dry mango powder might help in cancer treatment.4 However, it should not be substituted for modern treatment. It is best to consult a doctor regarding the dry mango powder benefits before consuming it.  

Potential Uses of Amchur Powder for Digestion 

The body absorbs essential nutrients from food through digestion. Therefore, healthy digestion is paramount. A study by Hernández-Maldonado et al. in 2019 found that dry mango has phenolic compounds and dietary fibres that aid digestion by altering the composition of the gut bacterium.  The study suggests that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of mango might make amchur powder an aid in promoting healthy digestion.⁵ However, you should consult a doctor regarding amchur powder’s health benefits before consuming it. 

Potential Uses of Amchur Powder for Type 2 Diabetes 

Type 2 diabetes is a medical condition where the blood has high sugar levels because of the reduced ability of the body to utilize blood sugar. A study by Imran et al. in 2017 showed that the bioactive compounds in dried mango could improve the body’s ability to utilize blood sugar and prevent complications associated with diabetes. The study showed that amchur powder might help people with type 2 diabetes.⁴ However, you should not substitute it with ongoing treatment. It is best to consult a doctor regarding the use of amchur powder for diabetes and seek treatment accordingly.  

Potential Uses of Amchur Powder for Heart Health 

Heart health is affected by high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, deposition of high cholesterol in the arteries and inflammation of heart linings and valves. A study by Imran et al. in 2017 showed that mangiferin in dried mango could lower blood sugar levels, reduce cholesterol, improve heart tissue health and decrease the inflammatory processes that can harm the heart. The study suggests that amchur powder might protect the heart against various diseases.⁴ However, you should not self-medicate using it. You should consult a professional regarding the amchur powder benefits for heart health.  

Potential Uses of Amchur Powder for Skin 

You need vitamins A, C and E for healthy-looking skin. A study by Song et al. in 2013 on hairless mice found that mango extracts, also found in dry mango powder, promote collagen formation and delay the signs of ageing. It may be because of mango’s high antioxidant and vitamin C levels. The study may suggest that amchur powder may have a positive influence on skin health.⁶ However, it is advised to consult a doctor regarding amchur powder use for the skin before consuming it.  

Other Potential Uses of Amchur Powder

The other potential amchur powder benefits are as follows:  

• It might help in the regulation of kidney dysfunction.⁴ 
• It may help in the management of hyperuricemia.⁴ 
• It might help manage microbial infections such as tuberculosis, food poisoning and herpes.⁴ 
• Antioxidants in dry mango powder may enhance mental health.⁴ 
• Amchur powder may help with flatulence, acidity and bloating.⁵ 
• It may ensure healthy bowel movement.⁵ 
• It might help in relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).⁵ 

Studies that showed the use of amchur powder in various conditions need to be revised, and further studies are needed to understand the full extent of the health benefits of amchur powder on human health.    

Apart from vitamin C, Amchur powder is also rich in other vitamins like vitamin A, B-complex, E, K, etc. These vitamins along with vitamin C add high nutritious value to Amchur powder.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

How to Use Amchur Powder?

Amchur powder can be used in the following ways:  

• It is used as a flavouring agent in soups, curries, chutneys, pickles, and salads. 
• It can be used as a substitute for lemon in smoothies, shakes, etc.  
• It is used in the preparation of Ayurvedic formulations for the treatment of various ailments. 

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/ herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.     

Side Effects of Amchur Powder:

Consuming amchur powder in moderation is considered safe. Although an allergic reaction to amchur powder is rare, but the following people may develop skin allergies:  

• People allergic to mango.⁷ 
• People allergic to urushiol, which is found in poison ivy or poison oak.⁸ 

The skin allergy associated with amchur powder shows the following symptoms: ⁷ 

• Redness  
• Itching  
• Skin rashes 
• Whistling sound while breathing 
• Swelling of the skin 

Therefore, consult a doctor immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms after eating amchur powder.   

Precautions to Take with Amchur Powder:

 A few of the important precautions taken when using amchur powder are as follows:   

• Amchur powder should be kept in an air-tight container to avoid moisture contamination and increase its shelf life.  
• Amchur powder should not be stored with spices such as cinnamon or cardamom. Their flavour can intermingle and affect their taste and odour.  
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take extra caution along with the doctor’s advice regarding the amount of amchur you eat.   
• It is best to consult a doctor regarding the amount of amchur powder that should be given to children and elderly people daily. 
• Consult a doctor before taking amchur powder if you have any medical condition.  

Interactions with Other Drugs:

A study by Rodríguez-Fragoso et al. in 2011 showed that the bioactive compounds present in the mango could interfere with the metabolism of the following medications: ⁹ 

• Midazolam is used for anxiety and insomnia 
• Diclofenac for pain 
• Chlorzoxazone for painful muscle condition 
• Verapamil for angina and high blood pressure 

If you are on any of the above-mentioned medications, consult your doctor before consuming amchur powder.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

References:

1. Lauricella M, Emanuele S, Calvaruso G, Giuliano M, D’Anneo A. Multifaceted Health Benefits of Mangifera indica L. (Mango): The Inestimable Value of Orchards Recently Planted in Sicilian Rural Areas. Nutrients. 2017 May 20;9(5):525. Available From: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5452255/ 

2. Fratianni A, Adiletta G, Di Matteo M, Panfili G, Niro S, Gentile C, et al. Evolution of Carotenoid Content, Antioxidant Activity and Volatiles Compounds in Dried Mango Fruits (Mangifera Indica L.). Foods [Internet]. 2020 Oct 1 [cited 2021 May 24]; 9(10):1424. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/9/10/1424/htm 

3. Food Data Central [Internet]. fdc.nal.usda.gov. [cited 2022 Dec 22]. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/400113/nutrients 

4. Imran M, Arshad MS, Butt MS, Kwon J-H, Arshad MU, Sultan MT. Mangiferin: a natural miracle bioactive compound against lifestyle related disorders. Lipids in Health and Disease. 2017 May 2; 16(1). Available From: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5414237/ 

5. Hernández-Maldonado LM, Blancas-Benítez FJ, Zamora-Gasga VM, Cárdenas-Castro AP, Tovar J, Sáyago-Ayerdi SG. In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion and Colonic Fermentation of High Dietary Fiber and Antioxidant-Rich Mango (Mangifera indica L.) “Ataulfo”-Based Fruit Bars. Nutrients. 2019 Jul 11;11(7):1564. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6682962/ 

6. Song JH, Bae EY, Choi G, Hyun JW, Lee MY, Lee HW, et al. Protective effect of mango (Mangifera indicaL.) against UVB-induced skin aging in hairless mice. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine. 2013 Mar 5;29(2):84–9. Available from:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23458392/ 

7. Ukleja-Sokołowska N, Gawrońska-Ukleja E, Lis K, Żbikowska-Gotz M, Sokołowski Ł, Bartuzi Z. Anaphylactic reaction in patient allergic to mango. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology. 2018 Oct 31;14(1). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6211424/ 

8. Yoo MJ, Carius BM. Mango Dermatitis After Urushiol Sensitization. Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine [Internet]. 2019 Sep 30;3(4):361–3. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6861053/ 

9. Rodríguez-Fragoso L, Martínez-Arismendi JL, Orozco-Bustos D, Reyes-Esparza J, Torres E, Burchiel SW. Potential Risks Resulting from Fruit/Vegetable-Drug Interactions: Effects on Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes and Drug Transporters. Journal of Food Science. 2011 May;76(4):R112–24. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2011.02155.x 

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