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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #295553
Title: Mangoes are associated with better nutrient intake, diet quality, and levels of some cardiovascular risk factors: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Author
item O'NEIL, CAROL - LSU Agcenter
item NICKLAS, THERESA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item FULGONI III, VICTOR - Nutrition Impact, Llc

Submitted to: Journal of Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/6/2013
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: We have been unable to find studies that have looked at the association of the consumption of mango flesh on nutrient intake, diet quality, and health biomarkers in humans. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between mango consumption and dietary quality, nutrient intake, and physiological parameters in a nationally representative sample of adults and children using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2008 data. In this study, mango consumption was associated with better overall diet quality as indicated by the higher total HEI-2005 score in consumers compared to non-consumers. Subcomponent scores were not examined; however, food group equivalents showed increased intake of total fruit, which likely contributed to the overall score. Nutrient intake of children and adults consuming mangos showed lower intakes of added sugars; adult consumers also had lower intakes of saturated fatty acids and sodium than non-consumers, which likely also contributed to the overall higher diet quality observed. Consumption of mangos and all fruit should be encouraged in an attempt to move Americans closer to meeting their recommendations for fruit intake, along with a healthy lifestyle. Nutrition educators should help individuals identify sources of fruit, including mangos, available to them and to help them incorporate these into the diet.

Technical Abstract: Studies assessing mango consumption and the association with nutrient intake, diet quality, and health biomarkers are lacking. This study assessed these associations using a nationally representative sample of children 2-18 years old (n=11,974; 50% female) and adults 19+ years (n=17,568; 48.8% female) participating in the 2001-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Intake was determined from one-day 24-hour dietary recalls. Diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index-2005. The association of mango consumption and intake of food group equivalents and nutrients varied between children and adults. Mango consumption was associated with higher intake of total fruit, higher intakes of potassium in children and adults; mean calcium intake was higher in children, and mean dietary fiber intake was higher in adults. In this study, mango consumption was associated with better overall diet quality as indicated by the higher total Healthy Eating Index-2005 score in consumers compared to non-consumers. Sub-component scores were not examined; however, food group equivalents showed increased intake of total fruit, which likely contributed to the overall score. Nutrient intake of children and adults consuming mangos showed lower intakes of added sugars; adult consumers also had lower intakes of saturated fatty acids and sodium than non-consumers, which likely also contributed to the overall higher diet quality observed. Mangoes should be included in the diet as part of the fruit recommendation to complement other components of a healthy lifestyle.