The humble mango, often hailed as a superfood due to its plethora of health benefits, was the subject of a recent study published in the Nutrients journal.
The researchers discovered an intriguing link between mango consumption and insulin sensitivity.
Insulin is a critical hormone in our bodies that plays a key role in processes like weight management and diabetes risk.
The study, which took only overweight or obese participants, found that consuming two cups of mango every day for four weeks resulted in lower fasting insulin levels and a decrease in insulin resistance.
This means that less insulin was needed to maintain normal blood sugar levels, and the body’s cells became more efficient at extracting energy from food.
The scientists at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago concluded: “The data support consuming mango fruit as part of a dietary pattern to address insulin resistance and warrant further research.”
While mangoes alone are unlikely to solve any health issues, there’s a reason they’re labelled a “superfood”.
Previous studies have shown that mango can help reduce cholesterol, regulate blood pressure and even provide some protection against cancer.
While mangoes have not been directly linked to weight loss in previous studies, a 2016 research published in the FASEB journal suggests that they could play a significant role in future weight management strategies.
The study found that mangoes contain a variety of polyphenols which they noted could reduce the ability fat cells have to multiply.
The researchers hoped these findings could enhance obesity prevention and treatment methods, but emphasised the need for additional research.
Mangoes have long been praised for their health benefits, especially for those on a weight loss journey, as they are packed with various nutrients without being high in calories. A cup of chopped mango contains approximately 99 calories and 2.6 grams of fibre.
This same serving provides 67% of your daily vitamin C intake and 10% of your daily requirements for vitamins A and E. According to the Cleveland Clinic, mangoes are also a good source of folate, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin K.
