About 200,000 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States this year. The disease will kill nearly 40,000.
Texas researchers are studying how compounds found in mango affect may help lower those numbers.
Scientists at the Institute for Obesity Research and Program Evaluation at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, studied how the polyphenolic compounds found in mangos act to fight cancer cells and reduce inflammation. Other studies have already shown that bioactive compounds, like phenolic acids, flavonoids, and carotenoids in mangos display anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Bottom line — mangos are good for you.
This particular study used polyphenolics extracted from mangos to treat non-cancer and cancer breast cells in vitro (outside their normal biological environment). It showed that at a certain concentration, the mango polyphenols decreased breast cancer cell proliferation by about 90 percent while decreasing the proliferation of non-cancer cells by approximately 20 percent.
Dr. Susanne Talcott, director for research at the institute and assistant professor, nutrition and food science department, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences stated the research has “moved us closer to determining whether mango polyphenols will have cancer-fighting effects on human beings.” She also notes: “So far, the indications are positive, but a lot of work will have to be done to determine the actual concentration of mango metabolites in target tissues.”
Our bodies are designed to eat natural, whole foods — not manufactured, overly-processed crap.
Fresh mangos of various varieties are available year round. Watch this National Mango Board video to learn how to select and prepare a nutritious, delicious mango. Try it in a mango banana smoothie or a mango black bean salad. And please share your favorite mango recipes in the comments below!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkCYV7v7P3M]
Image and Video Credit: National Mango Board
Jenni
Mango’s are my favorite! Now that I know they have such beneficial properties I will purchase fresh mango’s from my local farmers market. Many of my loved ones have experienced the challenges of breast cancer so I appreciate you spreading this beneficial information. I hope many readers can make us of this.
Mary Gerush
Jenni – thanks for your comment. May you have a juicy, delicious mango whenever you want one!
Kim
Mangos are delicious! I didn’t know they could benefit you this much. I have 3 young daughters and they love my mango fruit salad. I’m glad that I can help them is some way in preventing cancer.
Mary Gerush
We just made a fruit salad with mango yesterday. It was great. And good for us! Thanks for reading.
Ann
When is the best time of year for mangoes?
Mary Gerush
Hi Ann. Thanks for reading! I learned there are six common varieties of mangos, at least one of which is in season at any time of year. I almost included a chart showing the seasons for each variety, but I didn’t! Here is a link to that information: http://www.mango.org/varieties-and-availability. Enjoy!