Research published in the Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences has found a link between mango consumption and better diet quality and nutritional intake in both adults and children.
The study was co-funded by the US National Mango Board (NMB) and the US department of agriculture’s research service (USDA-ARS)and suggests that consumption of mangos in adults is associated with an overall better diet, higher intake of whole fruit and certain nutrients such as dietary fibre and potassium as well as with lower bodyweight.
The researchers compared the diets of more than 29,000 children and adults participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2001 and 2008 and used the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) to determine diet quality relative to federal dietary guidance.
Additionally, lower levels of C-reactive protein were found in adult mango-consumers. C-reactive protein is a marker of inflammation and it has been suggested that high levels of it in the blood may be linked to increased risk for heart disease.
The research was carried out by scientists at Louisiana State University and Baylor College of Medicine with Dr Victor Fulgoni of Nutrition Impact.
According to NMB, results from this published research will help add to the existing body of evidence suggesting mangoes are a nutritional powerhouse. Megan McKenna, the board’s director of marketing said: “Mangoes are by far one of the tastiest ways to consume more than 20 vitamins, minerals and antioxidants all in one bite.”
