Research Suggests Mango Consumption Linked to Improved Diets

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Jun 27, 2013, 10:00 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., June 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences published research linking mango consumption to a better diet quality and nutrition intake in adults and children. This research, funded in part by the National Mango Board (NMB), suggests that consumption of mangos in adults is not only associated with an overall better diet, higher intake of whole fruit and certain nutrients, like dietary fiber and potassium, along with lower body weight and C-reactive protein, a measure of inflammation that may be associated with cardiovascular risk.

Mango consumption associated with a healthier diet

The study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences suggests that adults who consume mangos tend to have a higher intake of certain nutrients like potassium and dietary fiber than those who do not eat mango, which contributes to a balanced diet. 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.

The researchers found those that ate mangos scored higher on the HEI than those that did not. Compared to non-mango consumers, mango eaters, on average, had higher intakes of whole fruit, vitamins C, potassium, and dietary fiber (in adults only) while having lower intakes of added-sugars, saturated fat (in adults only) and sodium (in adults only).

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.

"Overall, the results found in this study show that people who consume mangos tended to have better intake of nutrients like potassium, vitamin C and dietary fiber, contributing to better overall diet quality than those who do not," explained Dr. Victor Fulgoni III, of Nutrition Impact, LLC. "This research also underscores the importance helping individuals identify fruits such as mangos that can be readily incorporated into their diets for greater variety."

This research, "Mangoes are Associated with Better Nutrient Intake, Diet Quality, and Levels of Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey," was co-authored by Dr. Carol E. O'Neil of Louisiana State University's Agricultural Center; Dr. Theresa A. Nicklas of USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine; and Dr. Victor Fulgoni of Nutrition Impact. The research was supported with funding from the National Mango Board (NMB) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. NMB supported it with the goal of better understanding the relationship between mangos and healthy diets.

According to NMB, results from this published research will help add to the existing body of evidence suggesting mangos are a nutritional powerhouse. "Mangos are by far one of the tastiest ways to consume more than 20 vitamins, minerals and antioxidants all in one bite. With such great flavor and nutritional benefits, mangos are clearly a smart addition to anyone's diet," said Megan McKenna, National Mango Board's director of marketing.

For more information about fresh mango varieties and availability, storage, handling tips, recipes and nutrition, visit www.mango.org.

About National Mango Board

The National Mango Board is a national promotion and research organization, which is supported by assessments from both domestic and imported mangos. The board was designed to drive awareness and consumption of fresh mangos in the U.S. One cup of mango is only 100 calories, an excellent source of vitamins A and C, a good source of fiber and an amazing source of tropical flavor.

Mango availability per capita has increased 32 percent since 2005 to an estimated 2.47 pounds per year in 2012. Mango import volume for 2012 was 804 million pounds. Learn more at www.mango.org.

SOURCE National Mango Board