Mango for Gut Microbiome

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: San Diego State University

Must not be taking: Antibiotics, Dietary supplements, others

Disqualifiers: Smoker, Pregnant, Mango allergy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 4 weeks

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether eating fresh mango can positively affect gut health and its relation to skin, sexual, and mental well-being. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will eat mango daily, and the other will eat low-fat cookies. The trial seeks generally healthy adults who do not smoke, are not pregnant, and do not have allergies to mango or wheat. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore the potential health benefits of mango consumption.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you need to take medications for metabolic disorders, mental health, or sexual health, you cannot participate in this trial. Otherwise, the protocol does not specify if you need to stop other medications.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that eating mango is generally safe. In earlier studies, participants who ate fresh mango daily for four weeks reported no major side effects. These studies examined mango's effects on the gut and found it can increase the variety of gut bacteria, which is beneficial.

Mangoes are a common fruit that many people consume regularly without issues. Therefore, for those considering joining a trial to eat mangoes, current research suggests it is well-tolerated and safe. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using mango for gut microbiome health because it introduces a natural, food-based approach, unlike many current treatments that rely on probiotics or fiber supplements. Mango is rich in polyphenols and fibers, which may uniquely support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This treatment stands out because it could offer a tasty and appealing way to improve gut health, potentially enhancing compliance compared to traditional supplements.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for gut microbiome and related health aspects?

This trial will compare the effects of consuming mango with low-fat cookies on gut health. Studies have shown that eating 100 grams of mango daily can improve gut health by increasing the variety of bacteria in the gut after four weeks. This variety is important because a more diverse gut microbiome is linked to better overall health. Research also suggests that eating mango increases levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), beneficial substances produced by gut bacteria. Specifically, one study found that people who ate mango had a more diverse gut microbiome compared to those who ate low-fat cookies. These findings suggest that mango might be a tasty way to support a healthy gut. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for generally healthy adults with a BMI between 20-40 kg/m2. It's not suitable for those allergic to mango or wheat, smokers, pregnant women, individuals on antibiotics, dietary supplements, or medications for metabolic, mental health and sexual health issues.

Inclusion Criteria

Generally healthy subjects

BMI 20-40 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria

Allergy to mango or wheat

Required dietary supplement use

Smoker

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume 100 kcal of either mango or low-fat cookies daily

4 weeks

Baseline and week 4 visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in microbiome diversity, skin hydration, sexual health, and depression scores

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Low fat cookies
• Mango

Trial Overview The study aims to understand how eating fresh mangos affects the gut microbiome and its connection to skin health as well as mental and sexual wellbeing. Participants will consume either low-fat cookies or mangos to see the differences these foods make.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Mango Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects consume 100 kcal of mango daily for 4 weeks.

Group II: Low fat cookies Active Control 1 Intervention

Subjects consume 100 kcal of low-fat cookies daily for 4 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

San Diego State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

182

Recruited

119,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Mango polyphenols, particularly polymeric gallotannins, are influenced by intestinal microbiota, which helps convert them into absorbable metabolites that can promote gut health.

These polyphenols have been shown to have prebiotic effects, potentially reducing intestinal inflammation and enhancing intestinal integrity, contributing to overall digestive health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Polyphenols: Anti-Inflammatory Intestinal Microbial Health Benefits, and Associated Mechanisms of Actions. Kim, H., Castellon-Chicas, MJ., Arbizu, S., et al.[2021]

The review highlights 14 successful case studies demonstrating how microbiome research has positively impacted the agrifood system, including disease management, soil fertilization, and food fermentation processes.

Microbiome applications are crucial for enhancing human and environmental health, with potential benefits such as improving food safety, developing probiotics, and preventing chronic diseases like obesity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Microbiome Research as an Effective Driver of Success Stories in Agrifood Systems - A Selection of Case Studies. Olmo, R., Wetzels, SU., Armanhi, JSL., et al.[2022]

Gut dysbiosis, or an imbalance in gut bacteria, is likely a precursor to the development of food allergies, suggesting that the timing of this imbalance is crucial for understanding allergy onset.

Research indicates that gut microbiota can influence food allergy susceptibility by affecting immune responses and intestinal health, and ongoing trials with probiotics and other interventions aim to translate these findings into effective treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The gut microbiome in food allergy. Zhao, W., Ho, HE., Bunyavanich, S.[2020]

In a study of 31 healthy adults, recent consumption of high-intensity sweeteners like aspartame and acesulfame-K did not show significant differences in bacterial abundance in the gut microbiome.

However, there was a notable difference in bacterial diversity between consumers and nonconsumers of aspartame and acesulfame-K, suggesting that while sweeteners may not affect the quantity of gut bacteria, they could influence the variety of bacterial species present.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-intensity sweetener consumption and gut microbiome content and predicted gene function in a cross-sectional study of adults in the United States. Frankenfeld, CL., Sikaroodi, M., Lamb, E., et al.[2015]

In a study of 27 individuals with overweight and obesity consuming 280 g of mango pulp daily for 8 weeks, there was a significant 3.5% reduction in systolic blood pressure and a 10.5% reduction in 2-hour plasma glucose levels, indicating potential cardiometabolic benefits.

Mango consumption also led to enhanced gut microbiota diversity and changes in specific gut bacterial species, suggesting a link between mango intake and improved gut health, which may contribute to the observed health benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changes in systolic blood pressure, postprandial glucose, and gut microbial composition following mango consumption in individuals with overweight and obesity. Keathley, J., Kearney, M., Garneau, V., et al.[2022]

The indigestible fraction (IF) of both irradiated and non-irradiated mango-based bars positively influenced the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium and Bifidobacterium, during in vitro colonic fermentation.

Both types of mango bars enhanced carbohydrate metabolism pathways in the gut microbiota, suggesting potential benefits for preventing or treating metabolic dysbiosis, although further in vivo studies are needed to confirm these effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changes in Intestinal Microbiota and Predicted Metabolic Pathways During Colonic Fermentation of Mango (Mangifera indica L.)-Based Bar Indigestible Fraction. Gutiérrez-Sarmiento, W., Sáyago-Ayerdi, SG., Goñi, I., et al.[2020]

Daily consumption of mango for 6 weeks significantly increased the levels of gallotannin-metabolites in healthy lean individuals, suggesting enhanced absorption and potential health benefits from mango consumption.

The study also indicated that while both lean and obese participants showed increased urinary excretion of these metabolites, only lean individuals experienced a notable increase in beneficial short-chain fatty acids, highlighting a possible difference in health benefits based on body mass index (BMI).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Body Mass Index as a Determinant of Systemic Exposure to Gallotannin Metabolites during 6-Week Consumption of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) and Modulation of Intestinal Microbiota in Lean and Obese Individuals. Barnes, RC., Kim, H., Fang, C., et al.[2019]

In a 12-week study with 27 overweight/obese participants, fresh mango consumption improved gut microbiome diversity compared to low-fat cookies, indicating potential benefits for gut health.

Mango intake increased specific beneficial bacteria while slightly enhancing bowel movement frequency, suggesting that mango may positively influence gut health and warrant further investigation for chronic disease benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of fresh mango consumption on gut health and microbiome - Randomized controlled trial. Asuncion, P., Liu, C., Castro, R., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 16 obese individuals, rectal administration of buttermilk processed with medicinal plants led to significant reductions in body measurements and blood glucose levels after 15 days, indicating potential efficacy in weight management.

The treatment resulted in increased bacterial diversity in the gut microbiome on day 16, but this effect diminished by day 45, suggesting that repeated treatments may be necessary for sustained benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rectal administration of buttermilk processed with medicinal plants alters gut microbiome in obese individuals. Mane, S., Dixit, KK., Lathwal, N., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10084975/

The effects of fresh mango consumption on gut health and ... This study found that daily consumption of 100 g fresh mango increased the diversity of the gut microbiome after 4 weeks, with the greatest ...

2. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fsn3.3243

The effects of fresh mango consumption on gut health and ... This study found that daily consumption of 100 g fresh mango increased the diversity of the gut microbiome after 4 weeks, with the greatest ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316623006673

Mango Supplementation Modulates Gut Microbial ... We show in this study that mango supplementation not only modulated gut bacteria but also stimulated an increase in both fecal and cecal SCFAs, suggesting an ...

4. cdn.nutrition.org cdn.nutrition.org/article/S2475-2991(23)20848-3/fulltext

Effects of Mango Fruit Consumption on the Diversity of the Gut ... Results: The mango intervention resulted in higher Shannon-Wiener and Simpson alpha diversity indices of the microbiome than the cookie intervention in week 4.

5. news-medical.net news-medical.net/news/20230417/Consuming-mangos-boosts-gut-microbiome-diversity-Benefits-for-overweight-and-obese-individuals.aspx

Consuming mangos boosts gut microbiome diversity The mango intervention reduced Alpha-diversity measures but increased species evenness compared to the low-fat cookie group.

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03825276

Effect of Mango on Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Health | ... As gut microbiota may have a strong influence on cardiometabolic health, we hypothesize that mango consumption improves metabolic profile in overweight or ...