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Mangos may lower blood sugar in obese adults

A study published in Nutrition and Metabolic Insights shows that regular consumption of mango by obese adults may lower blood sugar levels and does not negatively impact body weight.

 

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 20–50 with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30–45. 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 g 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). 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) but not females. Overall and by gender, there were no significant changes in triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, or blood pressure.

“We believe this research suggests that mangos may give obese individuals a dietary option in helping them maintain or lower their blood sugar. However, the precise component and mechanism has yet to be found and further clinical trials are necessary, particularly in those that have problems with blood sugar control, such as diabetics, are necessary,” said Edralin Lucas, Associate Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Oklahoma State University, College of Human Sciences and lead study author.

Results from this present study could have been influenced by a number of factors including the small sample size, lack of a control group, duration of mango supplementation, inaccurate self-reporting of dietary intake and physical activity level by study subjects, or from lack of compliance with daily mango supplementation as part of the study protocol. Additional human studies with larger sample sizes and of longer duration of mango supplementation should be conducted.

 

Το μάνγκο μπορεί να μειώσει το σάκχαρο του αίματος σε παχύσαρκους ενήλικες.

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