(PTFS15-06-24) Daily Mango Consumption Impact Cognitive Function in Adolescents: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Controlled Study

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of daily consumption of a tannase treated mango smoothie along with a probiotic on cognitive function and systemic inflammation in adolescents 13-17 years old. Consumption of tannase-treated mango was expected to enhance hydrolysis of gallotannins and increase bioavailability. This, in turn, was anticipated to enhance anti-inflammatory bioactivity, decrease systemic inflammation, and ultimately improve cognitive function.

Methods: This study recruited healthy 17 females and 19 males, ages 13-17 years, with a BMI ranging 18-40 kg/m2. Participants consumed either 250 g of pureed mango treated with tannase (5 U/g) plus one FDA-approved probiotic pill or 250 g of pureed mango without tannase plus one placebo pill daily, for 60 days. Probiotic pill contained a mixture of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria known to metabolize gallotannins. On days 0, 30 and 60, inflammatory markers were measured with collected plasma samples and cognitive function was assessed using the NIH toolbox Dimensional Change Card Sort test (DCCS) and List Sorting Working Memory test (LSWM). Parametric and non-parametric analyses were conducted using R-programming. At the time of this abstract, the mango treatments (S and J ) remained blinded until all endpoint analyses are completed.

Results: Delta IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels were significantly lower in males compared to females within treatment S (p=0.022 and p=0.033 respectively). Delta LSWM scores were higher in males within treatment S compared to males in treatment J. This relationship was found to be significant (p=0.023). However, correlations between LSWM and IL-1B or TNF-a were not significant. Delta DCSS scores were found to be insignificant in both treatment groups.

Conclusions: Mango consumption lowered IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels supporting the anti-inflammatory properties of mango consumption seen in previous studies. Significant differences in the LSWM scores suggest that mango consumption with probiotics may improve working memory cognition.

Funding Sources: Partially funded by the National Mango Board (Orlando, Florida)