A study analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that women of childbearing age (WCA) who included mangoes in their diets had significantly improved diet quality and nutrient intake. I am. This study found that mangoes increase intake of macronutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy, such as fiber, folate, and vitamins, while reducing intake of undesirable nutrients such as added sugar and saturated fat. .
A new study from NHANES shows that diets containing mango are associated with improved nutrition and higher Healthy Eating Index scores, which are beneficial for a healthy pregnancy.
Women who are trying to become pregnant, are currently pregnant, or are breastfeeding have unique nutritional requirements that are often not met by their current diets.Recent research published in journals nutrients revealed an important discovery. Incorporating mango into the diet of women of childbearing age (WCA) can significantly improve both the overall quality of the diet and the intake of essential nutrients essential for a healthy pregnancy. These nutrients are often found in a pregnant woman’s diet when she is 10-30% deficient, but intake increases significantly when consuming mango.
“Pregnant women are at risk for several health conditions, such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, putting their health and the health of their unborn child at risk,” says study co-author Christine Fulgoni. “Diet is an important part of a prevention plan, and mango is a healthy fruit that contains many nutrients associated with reducing the risk of pregnancy-related illnesses, including fiber, folate, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E.”
Researchers collected information from 16,744 women ages 15 to 44 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1988 to 1994 and 1999 to 2018. This study used the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), a validated measure of diet quality, to assess how well participants followed the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommendations. ) was used.
Compared to diets without mango, WCAs that included mango in their diet had 16% higher HEI scores.
The higher diet quality is partially due to differences in nutrient intake between groups. When WCA incorporates mango into the diet, the intake of beneficial nutrients is significantly increased and the intake of undesirable nutrients is decreased. The notable differences are:
Energizing nutrients
- 70% higher vitamin C
- 31% more fiber
- 30% higher in vitamin E
- 26% higher folate
- 16% more magnesium
- 11% increase in potassium
Nutrients to avoid
- 17% less added sugar
- 11% less saturated fat
- Total fat decreased by 9%
The study also included a second group of older Americans, ages 60 and older, another group that requires special nutritional attention. Research results between those who eat mangoes and those who don’t show a 13% higher HEI score. Increase your fiber and vitamin C intake. Reduce your intake of cholesterol, niacin, phosphorus, protein, riboflavin, saturated fat, and vitamin B12. The researchers found that older mango consumers were more likely to identify as vegetarians/vegans and had lower intakes of these nutrients, as many of these nutrients are found in higher amounts in animal foods. We determined that there is a possibility that this could be explained.
“These findings add to the growing body of research showing the positive effects of adding mango to a diverse diet,” said Dr. Leonardo Ortega, director of research at the National Mango Board. . “A heritage-based food with cultural ties to more than one in four Americans, mangoes are an important part of improving nutritional equity and the quality of diets and nutrition in this multicultural nation. It can be an important bridge.”
Study design, strengths, and limitations
Food and nutrient intakes were determined based on two 24-hour dietary recalls using dietary components from the NHANES and What We Eat in America surveys. The first recall was conducted in person, and most participants completed his second recall over the phone. Mango consumers were defined as those who eat any amount of raw mango reported in the first or second recall. Nutrient intakes were obtained from both interviews, and usual intakes were determined using National Cancer Institute methods. Dietary quality was measured using HEI-2020. HEI-2020 awards up to 100 points based on 13 subcomponents that reflect the food or nutrient groups highlighted in the 2020 DGA.
Strengths of the study include the use of several cycles of NHANES data, which resulted in a large sample size of mango consumers. Additionally, there are limitations such as the observational nature of his NHANES analysis that prevents the assessment of causal relationships. Dependence on dietary recall. And the percentage of the U.S. population that consumes mangoes is relatively small.
Reference: Christine Fulgoni and Victor L. Fulgoni, “Mango consumption was associated with higher nutritional intake and diet quality in childbearing age and older adults,” January 18, 2024. nutrients.
DOI: 10.3390/nu16020303
This research was funded by the National Mango Board.
