This popular fruit may be the sweet secret to better heart health in postmenopausal women
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There’s something quietly powerful hiding in your fruit bowl—something that might be doing more than just brightening your breakfast.
A recent study has uncovered surprising effects linked to a common tropical fruit, hinting at benefits that extend far beyond taste.
The findings touch on a vulnerable population, a pressing health concern, and a humble, everyday food that may offer unexpected protection.
But as with most things worth discovering, the full story is only just beginning to unfold.
A daily serving of mango could do more than just satisfy a sweet tooth—it might support your heart and metabolic health, too.
That’s the finding from a new study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Nutrition Association, which links daily mango consumption to measurable cardiovascular benefits for postmenopausal women.
Researchers say just 1.5 cups of fresh mango per day—roughly two servings—led to drops in blood pressure and cholesterol in women between the ages of 50 and 70.
While more research is needed, the results are promising for a group at heightened risk for heart disease.
The short-term study involved 24 postmenopausal women who were overweight or obese.
Participants avoided mango entirely before the trial began, then consumed the fruit twice daily for two weeks—once in the morning and again in the evening.
Researchers noted not only a decrease in resting blood pressure within hours of consumption, but also a significant drop in both total and LDL (bad) cholesterol after 14 days.
On average, cholesterol levels fell by nearly 13 points.
To test mango’s impact on blood sugar, researchers also conducted a small follow-up involving six of the original participants.
They found that eating mango with white bread caused a far smaller spike in blood sugar and a more stable insulin response compared to eating white bread alone.
Despite mango’s relatively high natural sugar content, the fruit also provides key nutrients like vitamins A and more, which may play a role in regulating metabolic health.
Postmenopausal women often face sharp increases in cardiovascular risk due to metabolic shifts.
According to researchers, nearly half of American women have some form of heart disease—and with women now spending up to 40% of their lives in postmenopause, prevention strategies matter more than ever.
“These findings help to identify targeted dietary strategies, like eating fresh mangos daily, to aid this at-risk population and support cardiovascular wellness and potential reductions in chronic disease risk,” said study co-author Dr. Roberta Holt of UC Davis.
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Ready to add mango to your daily menu? Whether blended into smoothies, tossed in salads, or eaten on its own, this tropical fruit might offer more than flavor—it could help protect your heart. Have you tried making fruit a part of your daily routine? Let us know your favorite ways to enjoy mango in the comments.
A recent study has uncovered surprising effects linked to a common tropical fruit, hinting at benefits that extend far beyond taste.
The findings touch on a vulnerable population, a pressing health concern, and a humble, everyday food that may offer unexpected protection.
But as with most things worth discovering, the full story is only just beginning to unfold.
A daily serving of mango could do more than just satisfy a sweet tooth—it might support your heart and metabolic health, too.
That’s the finding from a new study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Nutrition Association, which links daily mango consumption to measurable cardiovascular benefits for postmenopausal women.
Researchers say just 1.5 cups of fresh mango per day—roughly two servings—led to drops in blood pressure and cholesterol in women between the ages of 50 and 70.
While more research is needed, the results are promising for a group at heightened risk for heart disease.
Mango may be the sweet secret to better heart health in postmenopausal women. Image source: Desirae Hayes-Vitor / Unsplash
The short-term study involved 24 postmenopausal women who were overweight or obese.
Participants avoided mango entirely before the trial began, then consumed the fruit twice daily for two weeks—once in the morning and again in the evening.
Researchers noted not only a decrease in resting blood pressure within hours of consumption, but also a significant drop in both total and LDL (bad) cholesterol after 14 days.
On average, cholesterol levels fell by nearly 13 points.
To test mango’s impact on blood sugar, researchers also conducted a small follow-up involving six of the original participants.
They found that eating mango with white bread caused a far smaller spike in blood sugar and a more stable insulin response compared to eating white bread alone.
Despite mango’s relatively high natural sugar content, the fruit also provides key nutrients like vitamins A and more, which may play a role in regulating metabolic health.
Postmenopausal women often face sharp increases in cardiovascular risk due to metabolic shifts.
According to researchers, nearly half of American women have some form of heart disease—and with women now spending up to 40% of their lives in postmenopause, prevention strategies matter more than ever.
“These findings help to identify targeted dietary strategies, like eating fresh mangos daily, to aid this at-risk population and support cardiovascular wellness and potential reductions in chronic disease risk,” said study co-author Dr. Roberta Holt of UC Davis.
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