Mango properties could help health

Discover the wonderful properties of mango with this research. Two of the most serious diseases facing Americans today – obesity and cancer – are the subject of new research into the properties of mango. Presented at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) in Boston. This preliminary research identifies important findings that warrant further investigation to determine whether mangoes can potentially have a positive effect on blood sugar in obese people and help limit inflammation.

Preliminary research examines effects on blood sugar

A study led by Edralin Lucas, Ph.D. Associate professor of nutritional sciences at Oklahoma State University, examined the effects of daily mango consumption on clinical and body composition parameters in obese subjects (body mass index, BMI ≥ 30kg/m2). Twenty adults (11 men and 9 women) participated in the study. It included daily dietary supplementation of 10 grams of freeze dried mango. This is the equivalent of approximately 100 grams of fresh mango. The study lasted 12 weeks. Sugar levels at the conclusion of the study were significantly lower than baseline in both male and female volunteers. There were no significant changes in the body composition of either sex. BMI increased significantly in women. But non-male subjects compared to baseline. These findings are the result of a single study. More research is needed on the effects of mango consumption on human health. “The results of this study support what we learned in our recent animal model, which found that mango improves blood glucose in mice fed a high-fat diet.” Dr. Lucas said. “Although the mechanism by which mango exerts its effects is new research, it is known that mangoes contain a complex mixture of polyphenolic compounds. Research has shown that other plants and their polyphenolic compounds, such as isoflavones from soybeans, deepigalocatechin gallate** from green tea, and proanthocyanidin from grape seeds, have a positive effect on adipose tissue.”

Exploration of anti-inflammatory properties of mango polyphenols

Research led by Susanne Mertens-Talcott, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Research Director of the Institute for Obesity Research and Evaluation Program at Texas A&M University, examined the effects of polyphenols found in fresh mangoes on cancerous and non-cancerous breast cells. This study suggests that mango polyphenols may limit the inflammatory response in breast cells. Both cancerous and non-cancerous.