An effective, innovative skin care serum that features 5% vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and is gentle enough for sensitive skin types! Vitamin C is an antioxidant that provides the best in anti-aging protection and is an effective brightening ingredient.
There's numerous vitamin C benefits found in the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop: - Fades brown spots and hyperpigmentation - Protects the skin from pigmentation occurring - Keeps the skin firm and reduces visible fine lines - Brightens and evens out the skin tone
This vitamin C serum has a pH level of 3.81
Fragrance-free.
If you love this product, check out the Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask from Klairs!
1.18 oz / 35 ml
+ See why this product is a 2015 Soko Glam Best of K-Beauty™ Winner.
Ingredients We Love
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Centella Asiatica Extract, Yuja Fruit Extract
Apply to a clean face after cleansing and toner. Can apply as spot treatment or apply all over the face and neck. Finish off with moisturizer. For sensitive skin types, can add a drop and mix with moisturizer before application.
Note: Because even top-of-the-line vitamin C products can degrade from sun exposure, make sure you keep yours away from sunlight to preserve the formula.
Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop has a rating of 4.2 stars based on 1048 reviews.
Whether in the form of a fizzy drink or flavored lozenges, cold and flu preventative supplements almost always highlight vitamin C as one of their key ingredients. So, what's so magical about vitamin C? Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is critical to living healthily. Since the human body cannot spontaneously generate this nutrient, vitamin C must instead be absorbed from outside sources, such as vitamin supplements or foods that are naturally rich in it.
Commonly found in cold and flu preventative supplements, vitamin C strengthens and speeds up immune system functionality. Though research does not indicate that vitamin C intake alone can prevent the onset of cold or flu, adequate daily intake may shorten the duration of an infection or lessen the severity of symptoms.
Vitamin C is crucial for the maintenance of well being. For example, it plays a role in wound healing and helps maintain many essential body tissues. It also acts as a potent antioxidant and can repair damage from free radicals, which are linked to aging effects, and disease vulnerability. Additionally, vitamin C can also prevent anemia, since it helps the body increase absorption of dietary iron, another vital mineral that the body cannot spontaneously create.
Foods that contain high concentrations of vitamin C have been linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, like heart attack and stroke. Vitamin C can also increase levels of nitric oxide, a compound that widens blood vessels and, in turn, lowers blood pressure. In addition, regular intake of vitamin C, along with other vitamins, has been linked to a decreased risk for developing age-related cataracts, a leading cause of visual impairment in the United States.
Common Sources of Vitamin C
Vitamin C can be easily obtained through the many different foods, including:
Citrus fruits and juices (orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime and tangerine)
Berries
Melons
Mangoes
Kiwi
Tomato
Broccoli
Red peppers
Spinach
Squash
Potatoes
Cooking these foods may result in the loss of some of the vitamin content, so it is ideal to ingest them raw, either whole or juiced. Nowadays, there are also numerous packaged food products, like cereals, that have been enriched and fortified with vitamin C, so that the nutrient can be easily obtained.
Vitamin C may also be labeled as "L-ascorbic acid" in supplement form, and most over-the-counter multivitamins contain the recommended daily amount of the vitamin. While it is a good source when an individual is in need of a vitamin C boost, supplements are not meant to replace a diet rich in naturally derived vitamin C.
What Happens When You Have Too Much — or Too Little — Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that can be easily flushed out of the body via urination when it is not needed. Therefore, if the main source of vitamin C is from naturally occurring foods, it is near-impossible for excess vitamin C to produce side effects. However, taking excessive concentrated vitamin C supplements may lead to diarrhea or stomach upset.
Since vitamin C-rich foods are so readily available nowadays, symptoms of inadequate vitamin C intake are also rare in the United States. However, malnourished individuals can experience symptoms of vitamin C deficiency over time, including:
Weakness
Fatigue
Anemia
Easy bruising
Joint pain
Skin breakdown
Weakened tooth enamel
Gum inflammation
Severe vitamin C deficiency is referred to as scurvy. Scurvy can be easily treated with increased dietary or supplemental vitamin C. Since vitamin C is crucial in the detoxification of the body, a lack of vitamin C can compromise the immune system and make an individual more susceptible to diseases and infections. Individuals with insufficient vitamin C may find that it takes longer than usual to recover from a cold or a physical wound.
Daily Dosage Recommendations:
The daily dosage recommendation for vitamin C is different for everyone, depending on factors such as gender, age, lifestyle and current health condition. The recommended daily dosage for vitamin C is at least 75 mg daily for women and 90 mg for men. Since people who are pregnant, breast feeding, smoking or using oral contraceptives have a lower blood level of vitamin C than others, larger doses of vitamin C may be needed to achieve optimal results in these individuals. Those who have prior or current medical conditions may also require bigger or smaller dosage levels, as recommended by their healthcare providers.
Resource Links:
"Vitamin C" via MedlinePlus
"Vitamin C and Infections" via MDPI
"Extra Dose of Vitamin C Based on a Daily Supplementation Shortens the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis of 9 Randomized Controlled Trials" via Hindawi, BioMed Research International
"Vitamin C" via National Institutes of Health
"Scurvy" via U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health
"Dietary intake and blood concentrations of antioxidants and the risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer, and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies" via The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
"Dietary vitamin and carotenoid intake and risk of age-related cataract" via The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
"Cardiovascular System" via Department of Anatomy, Seoul National University College of Medicine (via Springer)
Nearly 2 million American adults each year are diagnosed with cancer. If you receive a diagnosis, your schedule can quickly start to fill up with doctor's appointments, medical procedures and pharmacy visits. Creating a checklist of things to do can help keep you busy and feeling more in control. But acknowledging the effects a cancer diagnosis can have on your emotions — and healthily managing those emotions — is almost as important.
Doctors and psychologists now recognize that healing improves after a diagnosis when both our physical and emotional needs are met, says Niki Barr, Ph.D., a psychotherapist at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Texas, who consults with medical doctors, extended families and caregivers about emotionally coping with a cancer diagnosis.
Learning you have cancer is a stressful experience, and it's important to acknowledge and cope with that stress. Fully understanding how your emotional needs can change after you receive a cancer diagnosis can go a long way in helping you and your family heal. The tips here can help you support your mental health as you navigate your diagnosis and treatment.
Photo Courtesy: burakkarademir/E+/Getty Images
Upon hearing your diagnosis, you might experience grief, fear or even a feeling of denial until some time has passed. "These are all normal and emotionally healthy responses, but it's all too easy to spiral out of control with fear in the beginning," says Barr. Fortunately, these tips can help you manage the anxiety and fear that come along with learning about a cancer diagnosis.
Lessen the Impact of Anxious Thoughts
Start by writing your thoughts down on note cards or in a journal. Identify the first one that's leading you to feel uneasy. For example, you might write down something like "I'm afraid of my hair falling out." Then, move onto the subsequent fear and write it down. That might be something like "People will treat me differently if they see I have cancer."
When you've identified most of your anxious thoughts, go back to the first one and write something new on the card that can help ease your stress. It should be a thought that's confident and empowering. For example, suppose you're worried about your hair falling out. In that case, a positive view could be: "I've been looking forward to getting a new hairstyle anyway." When you're feeling nervous, read the more positive strategies, says Barr.
Work On Your Internal Dialogue
It can also help to defuse all those "What if?" questions you might ask yourself, such as "What if my cancer has spread?" or "What if the treatment doesn't work?" One scary question tends to lead to another and often turns into full-fledged anxiety. Try to focus on those things you have the power to improve on your own. The next time you start asking yourself the what-ifs, substitute the upsetting ideas with this one: "Is this thought helping me or hurting me?" You can also ask, "Is this thought moving me forward or backward?" Your answers might surprise you, and they can help you move away from the thoughts that are holding you back.
Get Grounded
Interrupting periods of anxiety by focusing on small details around you can help you shift your perspective away from negativity and towards the present moment. "Look at the beautiful color of the walls in the room you're in; look at the person you're talking to, the clothes [they're] wearing," Barr suggests. Becoming very present and focused on physical details nearby helps soothe sudden anxious thoughts. Turn your focus towards absorbing the colors, smells, people and each new sound around you. Build those sensations up very clearly in your mind. You can use this technique as a distraction tool the next time you're waiting for a medical procedure or want a diversion from your thoughts.
Meditate to Music
Research shows that 15 to 30 minutes of both guided imagery and soothing tunes can alleviate deep feelings of stress about a cancer diagnosis. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) reviewed 30 clinical cancer trials that analyzed more than 1,890 cancer patients. They found that music therapy can have a beneficial effect on anxiety, pain, mood, quality of life, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure.
The CTCA also offers many classes and therapies to help people relax, reduce stress and improve their quality of life as part of an extensive mind-body medicine program. Many centers provide calming background music during healing therapies.
What Are Your Next Steps?
Photo Courtesy: Peathegee Inc/Getty Images
You have a cancer diagnosis: Now what? Learning how to clear your mind and focus on positive thoughts is a helpful step in the right direction. Here are other soul-soothing strategies you can try.
Start Journaling and Reflecting
Research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has shown that expressing your innermost feelings can reduce stress and have a range of other emotional and social benefits. Researchers aren't sure why putting thoughts down on paper is effective. Still, it allows you to process complex emotions and help you chart a way forward, whether you've been diagnosed with cancer or are taking care of someone who has.
Exercise When Possible
Exercising for 2.5 hours per week can help you beat symptoms of depression and fatigue. Among the nation's millions of cancer survivors, there are hints — but not proof yet — that active exercisers may lower their risk of their cancer coming back.
The American College of Sports Medicine hosted a medical panel of cancer specialists to evaluate this exercise evidence. It issued guidelines suggesting that cancer patients and survivors should exercise for about 30 minutes most days of the week. This exercise should be enjoyable to you but also build up a sweat. When patients and their family caregivers exercised together, research found, everyone was more likely to stick with the fitness regimen, boost their physical stamina and experience less emotional strain.
Strengthen Your Social Support System
Connecting with others who've been through this kind of emotional diagnosis already can be a source of comfort and support. Learn more about online communities and your local chapters and support groups that meet up. The American Cancer Society also suggests attending one-on-one professional therapy or its "I Can Cope" online support groups to learn more.
Resource Links:
Find Local Cancer Support Programs | Cancer Support Groups
Strategies Used in Coping With a Cancer Diagnosis Predict Meaning in Life for Survivors
Coping Well with Advanced Cancer: A Serial Qualitative Interview Study with Patients and Family Carers
Coping with cancer
Coping Attitudes of Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers and Quality of Life of Caregivers
Whether in the form of a fizzy drink or flavored lozenges, cold and flu preventative supplements almost always highlight vitamin C as one of their key ingredients. So, what's so magical about vitamin C? Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is critical to living healthily. Since the human body cannot spontaneously generate this nutrient, vitamin C must instead be absorbed from outside sources, such as vitamin supplements or foods that are naturally rich in it.
Commonly found in cold and flu preventative supplements, vitamin C strengthens and speeds up immune system functionality. Though research does not indicate that vitamin C intake alone can prevent the onset of cold or flu, adequate daily intake may shorten the duration of an infection or lessen the severity of symptoms.
Vitamin C is crucial for the maintenance of well being. For example, it plays a role in wound healing and helps maintain many essential body tissues. It also acts as a potent antioxidant and can repair damage from free radicals, which are linked to aging effects, and disease vulnerability. Additionally, vitamin C can also prevent anemia, since it helps the body increase absorption of dietary iron, another vital mineral that the body cannot spontaneously create.
Foods that contain high concentrations of vitamin C have been linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, like heart attack and stroke. Vitamin C can also increase levels of nitric oxide, a compound that widens blood vessels and, in turn, lowers blood pressure. In addition, regular intake of vitamin C, along with other vitamins, has been linked to a decreased risk for developing age-related cataracts, a leading cause of visual impairment in the United States.
Common Sources of Vitamin C
Vitamin C can be easily obtained through the many different foods, including:
Citrus fruits and juices (orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime and tangerine)
Berries
Melons
Mangoes
Kiwi
Tomato
Broccoli
Red peppers
Spinach
Squash
Potatoes
Cooking these foods may result in the loss of some of the vitamin content, so it is ideal to ingest them raw, either whole or juiced. Nowadays, there are also numerous packaged food products, like cereals, that have been enriched and fortified with vitamin C, so that the nutrient can be easily obtained.
Vitamin C may also be labeled as "L-ascorbic acid" in supplement form, and most over-the-counter multivitamins contain the recommended daily amount of the vitamin. While it is a good source when an individual is in need of a vitamin C boost, supplements are not meant to replace a diet rich in naturally derived vitamin C.
What Happens When You Have Too Much — or Too Little — Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that can be easily flushed out of the body via urination when it is not needed. Therefore, if the main source of vitamin C is from naturally occurring foods, it is near-impossible for excess vitamin C to produce side effects. However, taking excessive concentrated vitamin C supplements may lead to diarrhea or stomach upset.
Since vitamin C-rich foods are so readily available nowadays, symptoms of inadequate vitamin C intake are also rare in the United States. However, malnourished individuals can experience symptoms of vitamin C deficiency over time, including:
Weakness
Fatigue
Anemia
Easy bruising
Joint pain
Skin breakdown
Weakened tooth enamel
Gum inflammation
Severe vitamin C deficiency is referred to as scurvy. Scurvy can be easily treated with increased dietary or supplemental vitamin C. Since vitamin C is crucial in the detoxification of the body, a lack of vitamin C can compromise the immune system and make an individual more susceptible to diseases and infections. Individuals with insufficient vitamin C may find that it takes longer than usual to recover from a cold or a physical wound.
Daily Dosage Recommendations:
The daily dosage recommendation for vitamin C is different for everyone, depending on factors such as gender, age, lifestyle and current health condition. The recommended daily dosage for vitamin C is at least 75 mg daily for women and 90 mg for men. Since people who are pregnant, breast feeding, smoking or using oral contraceptives have a lower blood level of vitamin C than others, larger doses of vitamin C may be needed to achieve optimal results in these individuals. Those who have prior or current medical conditions may also require bigger or smaller dosage levels, as recommended by their healthcare providers.
Resource Links:
"Vitamin C" via MedlinePlus
"Vitamin C and Infections" via MDPI
"Extra Dose of Vitamin C Based on a Daily Supplementation Shortens the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis of 9 Randomized Controlled Trials" via Hindawi, BioMed Research International
"Vitamin C" via National Institutes of Health
"Scurvy" via U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health
"Dietary intake and blood concentrations of antioxidants and the risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer, and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies" via The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
"Dietary vitamin and carotenoid intake and risk of age-related cataract" via The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
"Cardiovascular System" via Department of Anatomy, Seoul National University College of Medicine (via Springer)
Vitamin A should be an integral part of every person's diet. It plays vital roles in your body by helping to maintain your vision, skin health and even your immune system's ability to work properly. But it's important to consume the right amount; vitamin A can be harmful when your body gets too much of it. Learn more about vitamin A, including what it does, where to find it and what happens when you get too much of it.
Vitamin A is actually a group of fat-soluble vitamins like retinol, retinal and retinyl esters, all of which have various health benefits. Vitamin A is particularly important in the maintenance of vision — especially your ability to see in low light. Your body converts this vitamin to retinal, which combines with other molecules to form rhodopsin. This is the protein principally responsible for your eyes' absorption of light. If you're worried about your vision getting worse over time, make sure you get enough vitamin A. It's a good way to strengthen your sight naturally.
Photo Courtesy: Nastasic/E+/Getty Images
Consuming sufficient amounts of vitamin A can also work wonders for your immune system. Vitamin A promotes the production of white blood cells, particularly T cells, which eliminate viruses and bacteria from your body. Vitamin A also stimulates the production of special T cells called regulatory T cells. These help to reduce the risk of your body attacking its own healthy cells, which is what happens with some autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, vitamin A fortifies the linings of your respiratory, intestinal and urinary tracts, along with your skin and mucous membranes. It also sends additional immune cells there to prevent bacteria from entering your body and causing an infection.
Vitamin A is also involved in the maintenance of healthy skin by helping immature skin cells age properly into mature skin cells. It reduces sebum production, which can be problematic in oily skin. In fact, Isotretinoin is a common prescription-only vitamin A derivative used as a treatment for acne.
Vitamin A can also contribute to improved bone growth, cell division and cell differentiation. It even promotes reproduction and is a healthy supplement for people who are breastfeeding.
Food Sources of Vitamin A
Vitamin A is quite easy to come by naturally. Many of the most basic staples in our diets — meat, eggs, milk and cheese, for example — are excellent sources of vitamin A. Other specific animal sources have high vitamin A levels as well, such as kidney and liver. However, it's important to note that some of these foods have high cholesterol and saturated fat levels, so be sure to keep a healthy balance of these in your diet if you choose to eat them.
Photo Courtesy: GMVozd/E+/Getty Images
Vitamin A exists as either preformed vitamin A or as provitamin A carotenoids. Preformed vitamin A is found in animal and dairy sources. Provitamin A carotenoids include beta-carotene and alpha-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A and other derivatives. Beta-carotene is found in foods like carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, cantaloupes, grapefruits, spinach, broccoli and apricots. As a general rule, the more vibrant the color of a fruit or vegetable is, the more beta-carotene it contains. As a bonus, you won't have to worry about the fat or cholesterol content in these foods.
Side Effects of Too Much Vitamin A
Getting the right amount of vitamin A in your diet shouldn't have any negative side effects. However, a vitamin A deficiency can lead to health issues over time. If you don't get enough vitamin A, you could develop vision problems. Plus, your immune system could weaken, leaving you susceptible to infectious diseases.
Photo Courtesy: AsiaVision/E+/Getty Images
Perhaps even more serious are the side effects of consuming too much vitamin A, also known as hypervitaminosis A. Initially, too much vitamin A can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and even vomiting. Because vitamin A is fat-soluble, it tends to get stored in your liver if you consume too much of it, which can lead to liver problems and even liver failure. There's also evidence that getting excess vitamin A can cause osteoporosis and bone fractures.
In particular, pregnant people must be careful about their intake of vitamin A, as getting too much vitamin A can cause birth defects. Pregnant people shouldn't eat foods that are high in vitamin A, such as pate and fish liver oil. In general, babies and small children are more sensitive to vitamin A overdoses and deficiencies, so it's important to closely monitor their daily vitamin A consumption, too.
Taking Vitamin A: Daily Dosage Recommendations
According to the Institute of Medicine Food and Nutrition Board, most adult men should consume around 900 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin A per day, and women should have around 700mcg per day. The recommended daily intake is lower (750–770mcg per day) in pregnant people and higher (1200–1300mcg per day) for people who are breastfeeding.
Photo Courtesy: PeopleImages/E+/Getty Images
The daily dosage for children varies with age. From 0 to 6 months, infants should have 400mcg per day, after which they should consume 500mcg per day until they reach the age of 1. Children 1 to 3 years of age should get 300mcg per day, while those from 4 to 8 years of age need 400mcg per day. Those from 9 to 13 years old need 600mcg each day. Daily recommendations for children don't change based on gender.
These dosage requirements are general guidelines. Individuals may have differing daily recommendations for vitamin A, depending on their health status and lifestyle. Most people can get a sufficient amount of vitamin A simply by eating a balanced diet. Consult a doctor before taking any vitamin A supplements or changing from the recommended dosage for your age and sex.
In summary, it's important to be aware of the foods that'll give you an adequate supply of vitamin A. Provided you have a balanced diet, you might not need to take vitamin A supplements. Be aware of foods containing high levels of vitamin A, and avoid eating too much of these, particularly during pregnancy.
El Mangú es uno de los platos más queridos de los dominicanos, base de "Los Tres Golpes", el desayuno más completo y complejo de nuestra gastronomía.
Introducción
A pesar de nuestro amor por el Mangú aún oigo a veces que "el plátano embrutece". Al parecer es un dicho muy común entre dominicanos. Significa que los plátanos se asocian a la inferioridad intelectual. La extensión popular de este mito es que los niños que comen cereales son más inteligentes que los que comen mangú.
¿Podría esto ser verdad? ¿Qué hay detrás de este dicho?
¿Qué es Mangú?
El mangú es un puré suave a base de plátano verde, es el componente más típico del desayuno dominicano y uno de nuestros platos más populares. Servido con "los tres golpes" podríamos decir que es el desayuno oficial dominicano. Aprender cómo hacerlo, es básico para quienes aprenden nuestra cocina.
Beneficios del plátano
Para ser honesta, pienso que sabía ya la respuesta a la pregunta cuando oí por primera vez de esta creencia, pero pensé que investigaría de todos modos.
Busqué la información alimenticia correspondiente al más popular de los cereales, pero no perdí de vista el hecho de que para los dominicanos, "corn flakes" (que pronunciamos conflé) es la palabra genérica para cualquier cereal de desayuno, muchos de los cuales son más comida chatarra que los cereales estándares, con aún más azúcar y colorantes artificiales. En ambos casos también depende de cómo comes los plátanos o las hojuelitas de maíz.
Nutrición del plátano
Según mi investigación, los plátanos son alimentos beneficiosos, tienen más de veinte veces la cantidad de vitamina A, cerca de tres veces la vitamina C, el doble de magnesio, y casi dos veces el potasio que la banana (guineo). Muy bajo en grasa y sodio, libre de colesterol y ofrece una buena fuente de fibra. Media taza de rebanadas cocidas contiene cerca de 89 calorías. ¿No suena tan mal, cierto?
Como se sirve
Los plátanos para el desayuno se comen generalmente como mangú, que implica el hervir de los plátanos y triturarlos con un poco de sal y aceite, se sirven con cebolla roja salteada con vinagre, y acompañado por queso, huevos y salami frito (los Tres Golpes). Un poco pesado en el sistema, quizá, pero bastante nutritivo.
También depende de que tan monótona es tu dieta. Si no comes más que plátanos, entonces no es tan beneficioso como una dieta variada que incluya plátanos.
La respuesta
También me doy cuenta que estoy haciendo una suposición enorme conectando la buena nutrición con la inteligencia. Estoy aplicando la información que dice que los niños que comen un buen desayuno rinden más en la escuela, quizá eso es todo. Lo que no puedo aceptar es que haya una diferencia entre los niños que comen cereales y los niños que comen mangú.
Hay un elemento socio-cultural aquí y es probablemente donde el mito se origina. Mangú es un desayuno dominicano tradicional, que se come en el campo y en los hogares más pobres. Las familias que pueden permitirse cereales son también la clase de personas que envía sus niños a escuelas privadas.
Dicho esto, aún no encuentro un miembro de la clase media o incluso de la clase alta que desprecie el mangú. Esta es una de las cosas que me gustan de este país: a pesar de refranes como "el plátano embrutece" los dominicanos siguen estando ferozmente orgullosos de su cocina tradicional, y no parecen para nada a punto de abandonarla totalmente por substitutos extranjeros.
¿De donde viene la palabra "mangú"?
Hemos oído la teoría graciosa de que el nombre del mangú proviene de una bastardización de la expresión en inglés "man, good!" (que tampoco tiene sentido gramatical en inglés). Esto era supuestamente exclamado por los soldados estadounidenses durante la ocupación estadounidense de la República Dominicana al probar el mangú. Este casi de seguro no es el origen del nombre. Convenientemente, la teoría no menciona cuál ocupación americana. Para la segunda ocupación estadounidense de 1965, el mangú ya había aparecido en varios libros dominicanos que databan de varias décadas anteriores (1), y el Diccionario de Dominicanismos publicado en el 1940 no hace mención de este supuesto origen.
Los plátanos llegaron a Santo Domingo desde las Islas Canarias a principios de los 1500s (2), aproximadamente una década después de la llegada de los primeros esclavos africanos. Para entonces, el plátano era un cultivo ya establecido en África Occidental, y varios platos de puré de plátano son parte de la cocina tradicional de África Occidental (como el Matoke y el Fufu, este último que aún sobrevive en Cuba). La palabra "mogo" para el fufú cubano ya estaba en uso hace más de dos siglos en Cuba, y se atribuyó a "la nigricia" (los negros). (3). Es posible que estos nombres (mogo y mangú) estén relacionados, pero no he encontrado evidencia definitiva de ello. Lo más probable es que el mangú (la palabra y el plato) nos lleguen con o de los africanos esclavizados, al igual que muchos de nuestros platos.
Curiosamente, la etnia Azande del Congo (de donde vinieron la mayoría de nuestros ancestros africanos) tienen una creencia religiosa en la que Mangú es una sustancia mágica que habita el estómago de los brujos o magos.
¡Buen provecho!
Mantén pantalla encendida al cocinar
[Receta + Video] Mangú (Puré Dominicano de Plátano Verde)
Mangú, Receta y Video (Puré Dominicano de Plátano Verde): componente típico del desayuno dominicano y uno de nuestros platos más populares.
Receta
Tiempo de preparación 10min
Tiempo de cocción 15min
Tiempo total 25min
Plato Desayuno
Cocina Caribeña, Dominicana
Raciones 4porciones
Calorías 340kcal
Como hacer mangú
4plátanos verdes
1½cucharadita de sal
4cucharadas de mantequilla o aceite de oliva(ver notas)
½taza de agua a temperatura ambiente
Como hacer la cebolla salteada
1cebolla roja grande
2cucharadas de aceite de oliva
1cucharadita de vinagre de frutas
½cucharadita de sal(o más, al gusto)
Preparar el mangú
Pelar plátanos: Pela los plátanos (ver como). Corta en octavos (dos mitades, luego las mitades en cuartos). Remueve la parte central del plátano donde están las semillas (opcional)
4 plátanos verdes
Hervir plátanos: Hierve los plátanos en agua, a la que has agregado la sal, hasta que estén muy blandos. Retira del fuego.
4 plátanos verdes, 1½ cucharadita de sal
Majar plátanos: Maja los plátanos recién sacados del agua con un tenedor (cuidado de no quemarte). Agrega mantequilla (o aceite de oliva) y mezcla bien. Agrega el agua a temp. ambiente y mezcla hasta que tengas un puré bien suave (se va a endurecer un poco en un rato).
4 cucharadas de mantequilla o aceite de oliva, ½ taza de agua a temperatura ambiente
Preparar la cebolla
Saltear la cebolla: Corta la cebolla en tiras o ruedas finas. Calienta el aceite en una sartén a fuego bajo.
Cuece removiendo hasta que la cebolla se tornen translúcida. Agrega vinagre y sazona con sal al gusto.
1 cebolla roja grande, 1 cucharadita de vinagre de frutas, ½ cucharadita de sal, 2 cucharadas de aceite de oliva
Servir: Sirve el mangú con la cebolla y acompaña con huevos fritos o revoltillo, salami, o queso frito.
Prefiero el aceite de oliva en el mangú mucho más que la mantequilla, pero esto es un asunto de gustos. Escoge a tu preferencia.
¿Quieres oír un secretito para hacer de tu mangú algo especial? Agrega una cucharada de cebolla en polvo. El tradicional no lleva cebolla en polvo, esta es un toque personal, y le da un sabor increíble. Que el secreto quede entre nosotros.
¿Cómo hacer un mangú bien suave?
El agua fría ayuda a que el mangú permanezca suave por más tiempo. También tienes que majarlo bien para que no quede con grumos. Remover el centro del plátano produce un mangú mucho más suave y sin grumos. Esto es opcional, es como lo hago yo.
¿Se puede recalentar el mangú?
Sí, se puede. Puedes recalentar en una sartén o en el microondas, pero tienes que agregarle un poco de agua porque si no se reseca demasiado.
La información nutricional es un estimado calculado automáticamente a partir de los ingredientes listados. Por favor, consulta a tu médico si necesitas información nutricional precisa.
LO QUE BUSCABAS desayuno de avena, los tres golpes, mangu dominicano, platano majado, platano verde
¡Por favor dinos qué tal, y deja una reseña!
Referencias:
(1) Amanda Ornes de Perelló, Manual de Economía Doméstica. Sto. Dgo: Imp. La Información, 1938.
(1) Manuel A. Patin M. Dominicanismos. Sto. Dgo: Ed. Montalvo, 1940
(2) A. de Humboldt. Examen Político Sobre la Isla de Cuba. Gerona: Imp. de A. Oliva, 1836
(3) Esteban Pichardo. Diccionario Provincial Casi Razonado de Vozes y Frases Cubanas. Habana: Imp. El Trabajo, 1875 "[…]plátano salcochado y majado con manteca […] En Bayamo se denomina Mogo, que tal vez será síncopa de Mofongo, palabra de Nigricia, usada en algunas de las Antillas."
