Posts Tagged “National Mango Board”
By National Mango Board
ORLANDO, Fla. — Research published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolic Insights found that regular consumption of mango by obese adults may lower blood sugar levels and does not negatively impact body weight. These are important findings considering that approximately 34 percent of U.S. adults have been classified as obese and given the health concerns related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome.1,2,3.
“We are excited about these promising findings for mangos, which contain many bioactive compounds, including mangiferin, an antioxidant that may contribute to the beneficial effects of mango on blood glucose. In addition, mangos contain fiber, which can help lower glucose absorption into the blood stream,” said Edralin Lucas, Ph.D., associate professor of nutritional sciences at Oklahoma State University, College of Human Sciences and lead study author. “Our results indicate that daily consumption of 10 grams of freeze-dried mango, which is equivalent to about one-half of a fresh mango (about 100 grams), may help lower blood sugar in obese individuals.”
This pilot study was designed to investigate the effects of mango consumption on anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters, and body composition in obese adults. Participants completing the 12-week study included 20 adults (11 males and 9 females) ages 20 to 50 years old with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 to 45 kg/m2. The study subjects were asked to maintain their usual diet, exercise habits, and regimen of regularly prescribed medications.
Each day during the study period, participants consumed 10 grams of freeze-dried mango, and dietary intake was monitored via 3-day food records assessed at baseline and after 6- and 12- weeks of mango supplementation. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and circumference of waist and hip) were measured at baseline and after 6- and 12- weeks of mango supplementation. Body composition and blood analyses of fasting blood triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and plasma insulin concentration were evaluated at baseline and at the end of 12 weeks of mango supplementation.
The researchers found that after 12 weeks, participants had reduced blood glucose (-4.41 mg/dL, P<0.001), and this glucose lowering effect was seen in both males (-4.5 mg/dL, P=0.018) and females (-3.6 mg/dL, P=0.003). No changes were observed in overall body weight, hip or waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, percent fat mass, and lean mass. However, hip circumference was significantly lower in males (-3.3 cm, P=0.048) but not females. BMI tended to be higher in females (+0.9 kg/m2, P=0.062) but not males after mango supplementation, although these results were not statistically significant. Overall and by gender, there were no significant changes in triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, or blood pressure. The blood sugar findings of this study are in agreement with Lucas’ previous animal research, which was published in the British Journal of Nutrition.4
A nutrient rich fruit, mangos contain over 20 different vitamins and minerals, supporting optimal function of processes throughout the body. Mangos are an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamins C and A as well as folate. They are also a good source of fiber, copper, and vitamin B6.
About National Mango Board
The National Mango Board is an agriculture promotion group, 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. The superfruit mango contains 100 calories, and is 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 53 percent since 2005 to an estimated 2.87 pounds per year in 2013. Mango import volume for 2013 was 935 million pounds. Learn more at www.mango.org.
By National Mango Board
The National Mango Board (NMB) conducts ongoing consumer research to explore consumer awareness, knowledge about mangos, buying habits, barriers to purchase and many other factors of consumer attitudes relative to mangos. Understanding consumer purchasing behavior is key to increasing mango consumption in the U.S.
In 2013, the NMB conducted an in-depth consumer attitude and usage study to better understand consumer purchasing behaviors. The overall goal was to measure consumer awareness and usage practices as they relate to mangos, and importantly, determine the extent to which shifts have taken place over time. In addition to tracking and updating who mango consumers are, why they buy the fruit, and what might encourage future purchases, the study also investigated health awareness and health perceptions toward mangos. Results highlight that overall, providing more information and education about mangos and keeping them in front of consumers at point-of-sale (POS) and in the media would help increase mango sales. Basic education is most needed by consumers since the research reflects not knowing how to choose and select a “good” mango, as well as what to do with it after purchase.
In 2014, the NMB conducted Qualitative Exploration Research, also known as focus groups, with small groups of mango buyers and non-buyers to provide direction on effective mango messaging. The study included discussions of mango associations, usage, likes and dislikes, and the buying or eating experience and then progressed through a series of messaging statements. The statements covered general, education, nutrition and sustainability messaging. Key findings include the overall positive mango associations with tropical and sweet; with nutrition being one of the strongest messages for consumers. Top interest was paid to “100% of daily Vitamin C in a single cup,” “20 vitamins and minerals” and “100 calories a cup.” Other opportunities for mango messaging include the lack of familiarity, not knowing what to do with a whole mango, and selection and cutting.
“Consumer research is vital to focusing our marketing strategies around the obstacles and opportunities that mangos present to consumers,” stated Megan McKenna, NMB Director of Marketing. “Armed with these findings, the mango industry can move forward with its outreach regarding mango selection, ripening, cutting, and usage since they continue to be the barriers to purchase.
About National Mango Board
The National Mango Board is an agriculture promotion group, 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. The superfruit mango contains 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 53 percent since 2005 to an estimated 2.87 pounds per year in 2013. Mango import volume for 2013 was 935 million pounds.
The Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences has 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
There has long been research — both anecdotal and data-based — suggesting a positive link between the eating of fruits and vegetables and healthy outcomes, including disease prevention.
The National Mango Board is working to pursue the connection, specifically with mangos, and has some research on its side. The board is publicizing early results of some studies and refining the nutrition message as it promotes mango and green papaya salad.
New mango nutrition research on obesity and cancer are the subjects recently presented at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in Boston. The research identifies important findings that merit further investigation to determine whether mangos can potentially have a positive effect on blood sugar in obese individuals and help to limit inflammation.
An Oklahoma State University study examined the effects of daily mango consumption on the obese. Twenty adults participated in the study, consuming significant amounts of mangos in a dried form for 12 weeks. Blood sugar levels at the conclusion of the study were significantly lower than the baseline in both male and female subjects, but there were no significant changes in body composition for either gender.
Texas A&M had another study on the effects of polyphenols found in fresh mangos on cancerous and non-cancerous breast cells, which were examined. This study suggests that mango polyphenols might limit inflammatory response in both cancerous and non-cancerous breast cells. Because this was an in vitro study, more research is needed to determine whether mango polyphenols can have the same effect in humans.
The National Mango Board is actively marketing the nutrition message, which claims that mangos are a nutrient-rich fruit containing more than 20 different vitamins and minerals. The NMB states that mangos are an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamins C and A. Vitamin C is important for wound healing and immune function; and vitamin A is critical for vision and helps maintain healthy skin.