Eat mangoes for gut health, claim UoH scientists

Mango is the national fruit of India and is the toast of the summer season. They are also good for the body. Now a study by a group of scientists at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) shows that it also protects animals against a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Mangoes contain several important nutrients, such as vitamin A, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, which can help strengthen the body’s natural immune system. They have a combination of polyphenols and fiber to improve gut health and relieve constipation. Many studies have also shown that mango consumption is positively associated with lowering the risk of heart problems through a reduction in lipid levels and inflammation.

Mangiferin, a xanthone C-glucoside found in several plant species including mango, is known for its pharmacological properties. UoH scientists, including Gangadhar, Suresh Kalangi and Anil Kotha from Prof. Reddanna’s laboratory, have shown that ‘mangiferin’ in mangoes protects animals against experimentally induced colitis.

Mangiferin prevented erosion of the mucous membrane

In these animals, ‘mangiferin’ prevented mucosal erosion and infiltration of inflammatory cells caused by acetic acid. The study also demonstrated the anti-cancer effects of ‘mangiferin’ on the colon cancer cell line Caco-2. However, further preclinical and clinical studies are needed to develop ‘mangiferin’ as a clinical candidate for the treatment of IBD and other gastrointestinal diseases, they said in an official press release on Friday.

‘Mangiferin’ is found in higher concentrations in the leaves and peels than in the pulp of several types of mangoes. A number of scientific studies have shown its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Scientists pointed out that the research paper assumes significance in light of rising cases of IBD, which have almost doubled in India between 1990 and 2019, with a rising mortality rate; due to changes in diet and lifestyle. If a long-term IBD condition is left untreated, it can result in damage to the gastrointestinal tract and lead to cancer.

In the age of junk food and the fight against infectious diseases, traditional Indian mangoes are proving to be a wonderful remedy for most gastrointestinal problems, including IBD. The slogan could be: “Eat mangoes for gut health,” they claimed.

Mangoes, scientifically known as ‘Mangifera Indica’, belonging to the Anacardiaceous family, originated more than 5,000 years ago in the Indo-Burma region, which extends from eastern India and southern China into Southeast Asia. The study is published in the journal of “American Chemical Society Pharmacology and Translational Science” (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/epdf/10.1021/acsptsci.3c00323)