Except the fruit in this article was sweet, AND highly toxic. I really don't think there is any scientific basis for the claim "safe if it's sweet".

That's exactly why this tree is so notorious. It's actually very very rare to be both sweet and toxic.

Things in the natural world that nourish an animal generally appeal to that animal. It's why you find rotten flesh and faeces repulsive, but flies flock to it (and they don't flock to their own shit).

> The point of 'taste' is generally to find things safe to eat.

Well, there were coconuts and mangoes around too, but our "medical" person chose to sample the only one he didn't know anything about.

Alaskans have this thing they say about Darwin and natural selection. I Just don't recall how they frame it

Parts of the mango tree have urushiol in them. It's the same irritant that is in poison ivy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mango#Potential_for_contact_de...

Cavalier picking of mangoes could also lead to unpleasant consequences.

As noted in that article, you have to be a special case to be affected by parts of the mango tree. From my experience, you really have to be a special case.