Mango Supplementation Has No Effects on Inflammatory Mediators in Obese Adults

The effects of mango consumption on vascular health and immune function

Objectives

Heart disease, caused by atherosclerosis, is the leading cause of death. Maintaining vascular integrity is crucial to reducing atherosclerosis risk. Mangos are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that may offer cardioprotective and immune-boosting benefits. However, their effects on the vasculature and immune system in adults with overweight and obesity remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of mango consumption on vascular health and immune function in adults with overweight and obesity.

Methods

In a 12-week, crossover study, 27 overweight and obese participants consumed either 100 kcals of mangos daily or isocaloric low-fat cookies daily. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline, week 4, and week 12 and analyzed for vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), P-selectin, E-selectin, sCD4, sCD8, sCD3E, and sCD45, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Results

Mango consumption significantly decreased VCAM-1 between baseline and week 4 (P = 0.046) and week 12 (P = 0.004). CAT increased between baseline and week 12 (P = 0.035) with mango consumption. GPx increased at week 12 compared to baseline and week 4 (P < 0.05). At week 12, SOD was higher after mango consumption compared to low-fat cookie consumption (P = 0.046). There were no significant differences in ICAM-1, P-selectin, E-selectin, sCD4, sCD8, sCD3E, sCD45 or TNF-α concentrations (P > 0.05 for all non-significant results).

Conclusions

This study suggests that 100 kcals of mangos may benefit the integrity of the vasculature by reducing VCAM-1 and increasing SOD, CAT, and GPx levels. Mangos can be an alternative snack for improving atherosclerosis and oxidative stress risk factors.

Effects of fresh mango consumption on cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese adults

BACKGROUND & AIMS

In vitro and animal studies show antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties of mangos. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of fresh mango consumption compared to an isocaloric control snack on body weight, glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, liver function enzymes, inflammation, and antioxidant activity in overweight and obese adults (BMI ≥26 kg/m²).

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a crossover design, 27 participants consumed 100 kcal/d of fresh mangos or isocaloric low-fat cookies daily for 12 weeks each, separated by a four-week washout period. Blood glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), and aspartate transaminase activity significantly decreased while total antioxidant capacity significantly increased following mango consumption. There were no significant changes in body weight, body fat %, blood pressure, insulin, or lipid profile following mango consumption. Cookie consumption significantly increased body weight, insulin, CRP, and triglycerides.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that relative to the control snack, mangos may improve certain risk factors associated with overweight and obesity including improved glycemic control and reduced inflammation.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTER

NCT03957928.

Tropical foods as functional foods for metabolic syndrome

Tropical foods are an integral part of the traditional diet and form part of traditional medicine in many countries. This review examines the potential of tropical foods to treat signs of metabolic syndrome, defined as a chronic low-grade inflammation leading to obesity, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and fatty liver. It is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic disease as well as osteoarthritis and some cancers. Tropical foods such as seaweeds and tropical fruits including indigenous fruits such as Davidson's plums are effective in reducing these signs of metabolic syndrome in rats, as well as reducing degeneration of bone cartilage and altering gut microbiome. Further, waste products from tropical fruits including mangosteen rind, coffee pulp and spent coffee grounds provide further options to reduce metabolic syndrome. Production of local tropical foods and local recovery of food waste from these foods could allow the development of commercial, sustainable and cost-effective functional foods in tropical countries. The aim is to develop these functional foods to reduce the incidence of metabolic syndrome and decrease the risk of costly chronic cardiovascular and metabolic disorders locally and globally.