Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access

Abstract

Mangoes are Associated with Better Nutrient Intake, Diet Quality, and Levels of Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Carol E. O’Neil, Theresa A. Nicklas and Victor L. Fulgoni III

Background: Studies assessing mango consumption and the association with nutrient intake, diet quality, and health biomarkers are lacking. Methods: This study assessed these associations using a nationally representative sample of children 2-18 years (n=11,974; 50% female) and adults 19+ years (n=17,568; 48.8% female) participating in the 2001-2008 NHANES. Intake was determined from one day 24 hour dietary recalls. Covariate adjusted means, standard errors,and ANOVA for food groups, nutrients, and health biomarkers were determined using appropriate sample weights.Diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005).Results: Average per capita consumption of mangoes by children and adults was 0.9 ± 0.2 g/d and 0.8 ± 0.1 g/d,respectively; average intake among consumers (n=103 children; n=117 adults) was 140.2 ± 6.06 g/d and 141 ± 7 g/d.In children, consumers had higher intakes of total (2.38 ± 0.26 v 1.07 ± 0.02 cup equivalents [CE]; p<0.0001) and whole fruit (1.53 ± 0.3 v 0.53 ± 0.0 CE; p=0.0002) than non-consumers. In adults, consumers had higher (p<0.0001) intakes of total (2.5 ± 0.2 v 1.0 ± 0.02 CE) and whole fruit (2.0 ± 0.2 v 0.6 ± 0.0 CE). Children (16.9 ± 1.8 v 21.6 ± 0.2 tsp eq; p=0.0098) and adults (17.6 ± 1.1 v 19.6 ± 0.3 tsp eq; p=0.0330) consuming mangoes had lower added sugar intakes. In adults, dietary fiber (p<0.0001) was higher in consumers (21.7 ± 1.3 v 15.8 ± 0.2 g/d; p<0.0001). In children, vitamin A intake (783.35 ± 73.86 v 583.04 ± 8.22 RAE mcg; p=0.0099) was higher in consumers. In children (2632.02 ± 172.68 v 2209.00 ± 17.09 mg/d; p=0.0157) and adults (3240 ± 98 v 2713 ± 14 mg/d; p<0.0001) potassium intake was higher in consumers. In children (57.42 ± 1.28 v 49.01 ± 0.28; p<0.0001) and adults (60.8 ± 1.3 v 50.9 ± 0.2; p<0.0001) HEI-2005 scores were higher in consumers. Adult mango consumers weighed less (77.4 ± 1.9 kg v 81.6 ± 0.4 kg; p=0.0455) than non-consumers. C-reactive protein levels were less (0.42 ± 0.01 mg/dL v 0.34 ± 0.04 mg/dL; p=0.0374) in consumers.
Conclusion: Mangoes should be included in the diet as part of the fruit recommendation to complement  other components of a healthy lifestyle.