Study
The experimental group received an avocado and half a mango daily. As a result, this group consumed 350 to 400 grams more fruit each day than the subjects in the control group.
The researchers were funded by - you guessed it - the Hass Avocado Board and the National Mango Board. These are organizations representing avocado and mango growers.
Results
After eight weeks, the researchers measured the subjects' flow-mediated dilation (FMD). This measurement involved temporarily restricting blood flow in the upper arm for a few minutes, then releasing the restriction and using ultrasound to measure the speed at which blood flow resumed. We are aware this is a simplified explanation.
The faster the flow resumes, the higher the FMD. And the higher the FMD, the greater the flexibility and health of the blood vessels.
In the control group, FMD% decreased by 22 percent. In the experimental group, FMD% increased by 15 percent.
According to predictive models, the improvement in FMD% resulting from the inclusion of mango and avocado in the diet corresponds to an 8 percent reduction in the risk of heart attack, stroke, sudden cardiac death, angina, or other cardiovascular events. In contrast, cardiovascular risk increased by 10 percent in the control group.
Click on the figure and table below for a larger version.
Mechanism
Incorporating avocado and mango into the test subjects' diets increased their intake of vitamin C, monounsaturated fatty acids, and fiber. In addition, avocado and mango provided beneficial phytochemicals such as avocatin-B, gallotannins, and mangiferin.
The researchers suspect that this combination improved the flexibility of the blood vessels.
