A groundbreaking study from the University of California, Davis has unveiled compelling evidence indicating that short-term daily consumption of fresh mangoes can significantly improve heart and metabolic health in postmenopausal women. Published in the Journal of the American Nutrition Association in March 2025, this research highlights the potent cardiometabolic benefits of including mangoes as a dietary intervention during a critical life stage marked by elevated cardiovascular risk.
Postmenopause represents a pivotal period during which women face a marked increase in the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This elevated risk is often attributed to complex hormonal and metabolic shifts that adversely affect vascular function, blood pressure regulation, and lipid metabolism. Considering that women may spend up to 40% of their lifespan in the postmenopausal state, identifying effective, accessible, nutritional strategies to mitigate these risks holds immense public health importance.
In the controlled clinical trial conducted by UC Davis researchers, twenty-four generally healthy women aged 50 to 70 with body mass indices (BMI) between 25 and 40 were recruited to assess mango intake’s immediate and short-term cardiometabolic effects. Following an initial mango-free baseline period, participants consumed approximately 330 grams of fresh mango daily, equivalent to around 1.5 cups, divided across morning and evening servings for two consecutive weeks. Blood pressure metrics, fasting cholesterol levels, and metabolic markers were assessed at multiple intervals to capture acute and subacute physiological responses.
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Remarkably, just two hours after mango consumption, participants demonstrated a significant reduction in supine systolic blood pressure by an average of 6.3 mmHg and a decrease in mean arterial pressure by approximately 2.3 mmHg. These acute hemodynamic changes suggest rapid vasodilatory or blood volume-modulating effects potentially mediated by bioactive compounds in mangoes. Over the two-week intervention, fasting total cholesterol dropped by nearly 13 mg/dL, with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol showing a comparable reduction of 12.6 mg/dL. Such lipid profile improvements signal a tangible reduction in atherogenic risk factors for cardiovascular events.
The mechanisms underpinning these beneficial effects of mango consumption likely stem from the fruit’s rich composition of bioactive phytochemicals, including polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamins, and dietary fiber. These constituents are known to influence endothelial function, inflammatory pathways, and lipid metabolism. Vitamin C and folate, abundantly present in mangoes, have antioxidant and methylation roles critical to vascular health. Furthermore, mango carotenoids may exert anti-inflammatory and lipid-modulating effects, complementing the favorable changes observed in this study.
Postmenopausal women are known to undergo profound metabolic shifts, including increased insulin resistance, central adiposity, and dyslipidemia, exacerbating CVD risk. The study’s findings, championed by Associate Researcher Dr. Roberta Holt, emphasize that even short-term dietary amendments incorporating nutrient-dense whole fruits like mango can elicit measurable improvements in markers associated with cardiovascular wellness and potentially delay or attenuate chronic disease progression.
Beyond cardiovascular parameters, a supplemental investigation involving a subgroup of six participants explored mango consumption’s impact on glucose metabolism relative to a white bread comparator. Blood glucose readings post-mango ingestion rose significantly less than after white bread, and insulin kinetics favored mango, showing a sharper peak and prompt return to baseline as opposed to sustained elevations with bread consumption. This suggests that mango’s glycemic impact is comparatively low, offering a naturally sweet alternative beneficial for metabolic control.
This nuanced evidence positions mangoes not only as a delicious and versatile fruit but also as a functional food capable of supporting cardiometabolic health amidst a demographic vulnerable to chronic disease onset. The nutrient profile offered by a standard serving—rich in vitamin C, folate, copper, vitamin A, vitamin B6, and dietary fiber—facilitates reductions in blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, collectively acting to reduce cardiovascular burden and improve overall metabolic equilibrium.
While this investigation focuses on a relatively short two-week period, the clinical implications necessitate further longitudinal research to ascertain sustained benefits, potential dose-responsive relationships, and applicability across diverse populations. However, the immediate improvements recorded underscore the potential for dietary mango to serve as an accessible intervention that integrates seamlessly into daily meal patterns for postmenopausal women aiming to optimize heart and metabolic health.
Public health messaging and nutritional counseling may benefit from incorporating these insights, promoting mango consumption as a strategic dietary choice. In an era where chronic cardiovascular and metabolic diseases pose escalating health challenges, leveraging naturally nutrient-rich foods with evidence-based efficacy offers an appealing adjunct to conventional therapeutic approaches.
Notably, this study was carried out with scientific integrity, funded by an unrestricted grant from the National Mango Board, which maintained no influence over the research execution or reporting. Such transparency enhances the credibility and applicability of findings, fostering confidence among clinicians, researchers, and consumers alike.
The growing body of evidence identifying the interplay between diet, metabolic function, and cardiovascular outcomes continues to highlight the critical role of whole foods. Mangoes, with their unique phytochemical matrix and favorable glycemic characteristics, emerge as a valuable candidate within this landscape, worthy of broader clinical consideration and public health promotion.
As heart disease remains a predominant health threat for aging populations, empowering at-risk groups—such as postmenopausal women—with practical nutritional strategies holds promise in attenuating disease burden. Incorporating fresh mango daily is a simple, palatable intervention with scientifically documented short-term benefits that could collectively contribute to healthier aging and reduced chronic disease incidence.
For more detailed insights and ongoing research updates, visit Mango.org, a resource dedicated to disseminating knowledge on mango nutrition and health.
Subject of Research: Short-term cardiometabolic effects of daily fresh mango intake in postmenopausal women
Article Title: Short-Term Cardiometabolic Response to Mango Intake in Postmenopausal Women
News Publication Date: June 3, 2025
Web References:
Journal Article via DOI
Mango.org
Image Credits: National Mango Board
Keywords: Menopause, Hypertension, Cardiovascular disease, Cholesterol, Metabolism, Metabolic health, Diets, Nutrition counseling
Tags: cardiometabolic health and nutritioncardiovascular disease risk in womenclinical trial on mango intakedaily mango consumption studydietary interventions for heart healthfresh mangoes and vascular functionhormonal changes after menopauseJournal of the American Nutrition Association studymango health benefits for postmenopausal womenmetabolic health improvements with mangoesnutrition strategies for postmenopausal womenUC Davis research on mangoes
