Eating fresh mangoes boosts gut microbiota diversity, according to a new study from San Diego State University.
- According to the new study, fresh mango consumption affects gut health and the microbiome.
- The researchers noticed that mango consumers had a more diverse microbiota.
- Further studies need to be conducted on larger samples to confirm the finding.
With their fragrant and juicy yellow flesh, mangoes seduce many palates. And, good news for those who tend to avoid it because of its high sugar content (15 g of carbohydrates per 100 g): the exotic fruit is very good for intestinal health: it stimulates the microbiome.
Mango: the fruit influences intestinal health
To assess the impact of eating fresh mangoes on the gut microbiota, researchers at San Diego State University brought together 27 volunteers classified as overweight or obese (average BMI of 31). The average age was 26 years old.
The participants were divided into two groups: the first had to snack each day on 100 calories of fresh mangoes, the second had a low-fat cookie, also 100 calories. These snacks were served to them for 12 weeks. There was then a one-month withdrawal period.
Stool samples were taken at the start of the experiment as well as at the fourth and twelfth weeks. The volunteers also had to answer a questionnaire about their visits to the toilets. Analyzes showed that the tropical fruit did indeed affect gut health and the microbiome. If the stool frequencies were not significantly different between the two groups, people who ate mangoes observed an increase in the amount of stool compared to the start of the trial.
A more varied microbiota by consuming 100 g of mango per day
The study published in Food Science and Nutrition reveals differences in the composition of the microbiota. “Mango consumption increased the abundance of Prevotella maculosa, Corynebacterium pyruviciproducens and Mogibacterium timidum while it decreased Prevotella copri. Consumption of low-fat biscuits increased Cyanobacterium aponinum and Desulfovibrio butyratiphilus and reduced Alloscardovia omnicolens”write the authors in their article.
They also noticed that eating fresh mangoes daily boosted gut microbiome diversity after four weeks. And this effect is even greater at the end of the 12th week.
“These results indicate that consumption of fresh mangoes may have positive effects on gut health, which may have positive implications for chronic diseases such as systemic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome. “, say the researchers. They note, however, that the number of participants was small. It would therefore be interesting, according to them, to carry out new tests with a larger and more varied sample in terms of BMI.
