Effects of Fresh Mango Consumption on Blood Glucose, Insulin, and Other Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults

Abstract

Objectives Mangos contain many beneficial dietary compounds including vitamins, minerals, fiber, and are a unique source of certain polyphenols such as mangiferin. Accumulating evidence from in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that mangos may have antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties. However, the effects of fresh mango consumption in humans are less clear. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of fresh mango consumption compared to an isocaloric snack (low-fat cookies) on body weight, body fat, blood pressure, glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, liver function enzymes, inflammation, and antioxidant activity in overweight and obese adults. Methods In a randomized crossover design, 27 overweight and obese adults (11 females, 16 males, age 26 ± 8.1 years) consumed 100 Kcal of fresh mangos (166g) or isocaloric low-fat cookies (24g) daily for 12 weeks. Following an overnight fast, a venous blood draw was taken at baseline, week 4, and week 12. Blood samples were analyzed for glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, liver function enzymes, C-reactive protein (CRP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). At each visit, body weight, body fat percentage, and blood pressure were measured. Results Twelve weeks of daily mango consumption significantly decreased blood glucose, CRP, and aspartate transaminase (AST) activity while TAC significantly increased (P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in body weight, body fat percentage, blood pressure, insulin, lipid profile, or other liver function enzymes following mango consumption. Cookie consumption significantly increased insulin, CRP, and triglycerides (P < 0.05). Conclusions Mango consumption improved certain chronic disease risk factors including reductions in fasting glucose and inflammation while lipid profiles and anthropometric measurements were not affected. These results suggest that relative to the control snack, daily mango consumption may improve certain risk factors associated with overweight and obesity and should be considered for future research as they contain unique bioactive compounds. Funding Sources This study was funded by the National Mango Board.