(P18-013-24) The Effects of Fresh Mango Consumption on Fasting Blood Glucose and Body Mass Index in Older Adults With Prediabetes

Objectives: Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, roughly 30% of adults in the US are over 55, while the CDC indicates that 38% of our adult population is affected by prediabetes. As many reach older adulthood, individuals may encounter misinformation regarding whole fruit consumption, often spreading fear of sugar content and and thus poor health outcomes. This misconception is common among older adults, who may benefit the most from adding mango into their diets. We aim to determine the effects of daily mango consumption on fasting blood glucose (FBG) and body mass index (BMI) in adults with pre-diabetes, and add to the growing body of literature that encourages individuals to include whole fruits, like mangos, into their diet for their health benefits, and dispel any concerns for adverse health effects.

Methods: In our parallel arm study, 18 older adults (mean age 64.7±4.7SD) with prediabetes and an average BMI of 27.1±4.8SD were randomized to either the intervention group (n = 9) consuming mango (approximately 120g edible portion), or the control group (n = 9) consuming a calorie-matched granola bar (200kcal). Participants were asked to maintain their usual diet and physical activity levels. Participants fasted for 8 hours prior to their baseline and 6-week post visits, during which FBG, height, and weight were collected. A digital scale and stadiometer (Seca Corporation, Chino, California, USA) was used to collect height and weight, and BMI=Kg/m² was used to calculate BMI. Finger stick blood collection was used to evaluate FBG with a glucometer (OneTouch®).

Results: The reduction in fasting blood glucose levels (Baseline mean 113mg/dL±7.3SD; 6-week visit mean 106 mg/dL±16.4SD) approached significance (p = 0.068) in the intervention group but not in the control group after 6 weeks of daily snack consumption. This positive trend was also present in overall BMI between groups (p = 0.76), as we saw general maintenance to slight trend of reduction despite the addition of 200 extra calories daily in the intervention group.

Conclusions: Six weeks of daily mango consumption does not negatively impact the health of prediabetic adults, and shows positive trends in FBG and BMI reduction. In the future, studies with longer intervention timelines and expansion of health markers included (such as cardiovascular health markers) are needed.

Funding Sources: The National Mango Board, USDA