Daily consumption of mangoes could potentially reduce blood pressure levels and cholesterol.
Postmenopause and Cardiovascular Risk: Can Mangoes Help?
Let's talk health and fruit, shall we? Women going through menopause (and that's about 25 million cisgender ladies worldwide) might face an increased risk of bad stuff like heart disease, obesity, depression, and metabolic syndrome, among other things. Yikes, right?
But fear not, my friend! A recent study has got our backs. Guess what's the secret weapon? Mangoes, baby! Two servings a day, to be exact.
Turns out, these luscious, orange-fleshed fruits can help support postmenopausal heart health. How, you ask? By lowering blood pressure and reducing those pesky "bad" cholesterol levels. Plus, they cause less blood sugar increase that goes down faster than eating plain old white bread. Talk about a nutrient-dense, heart-healthy powerhouse!
Researchers recruited 24 women aged between 50 and 70 for this two-week study. They ate about 1.5 cups of mangoes each day and visited the lab a few times for measurements on blood pressure, cholesterol, and other body metrics.
Why mangoes? Well, they're packed with fiber, antioxidants, and bioactives that support heart health. Previous studies have already shown a positive effect on blood pressure and cholesterol management with mango consumption.
So, after the study, what did the researchers find? They spotted a drop of about 6 points in systolic blood pressure and a 2.3 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure just two hours after eating mangoes. Aww, yesss! And not only that, but they also found a reduction of 13 points in both total cholesterol and "bad" cholesterol levels. Hallelujah!
And here's the cherry on top: mangoes cause a lower blood sugar increase compared to white bread. The sugar levels rose significantly less after eating mangoes, and the insulin levels peaked and declined quickly. This suggests that mangoes could be a viable choice for blood sugar management, too.
But you might be wondering, are these benefits just for mangoes, or could other fruits do the trick as well? Well, researchers haven't figured that out yet. But they're definitely planning to explore more, so stay tuned!
In the meantime, if you're looking to add more mangoes to your diet, here are some easy peasy ways: add them to salads, smoothies, or turn them into popsicles. Mix 'em into salsas, chutneys, or relishes, or top your yogurt, cottage cheese, or ricotta with them. Enjoy them as a healthy snack or even in a balanced breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Mangoes. The 'king of fruits' for a reason. Give 'em a try! After all, good heart health is worth it, right? #MangoLover #Postmenopause #HeartHealth #Cholesterol #BloodPressure #SugarControl
Women experiencing menopause, a demographic numbering 25 million cisgender ladies worldwide, might face an increased risk of various health issues, such as heart disease, obesity, depression, and metabolic syndrome. However, a recent study offers a promising solution: mangoes. Consuming two servings a day of these fruits can support postmenopausal heart health by lowering blood pressure and reducing "bad" cholesterol levels. Researchers found in a two-week study including 24 women aged between 50 and 70 that eating about 1.5 cups of mangoes daily resulted in a drop of about 6 points in systolic blood pressure and a 2.3 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure. Additionally, they discovered a reduction of 13 points in both total and "bad" cholesterol levels. Mangoes also showed promise for blood sugar management, causing a lower blood sugar increase compared to white bread. These benefits may not be exclusive to mangoes, as further research is required to determine if other fruits can exhibit similar effects. Meanwhile, adding mangoes to your diet through various methods like salads, smoothies, or popsicles can contribute to a heart-healthy, nutrient-dense lifestyle. Embrace the 'king of fruits', my health-and-wellness aficionados, for good heart health is worth it! #MangoLover #Postmenopause #HeartHealth #Cholesterol #BloodPressure #SugarControl #fitness-and-exercise #nutrition #health-and-wellness #womens-health #lifestyle #food-and-drink #healthy-cooking #cooking
