Avocado and Mango Intake Improves Vascular Function in Prediabetes: Study
Daily consumption of avocado and mango was associated with improved endothelial function in individuals with prediabetes. The study also found effects on diastolic blood pressure among male participants, suggesting potential cardiovascular benefits, according to findings published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The study was conducted by Chelsea P. and colleagues.
Low intake of fruits is well recognized as a global dietary risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes, because fruits are the main source of essential nutrients, such as dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats, which play a crucial role in the regulation of metabolism and cardiovascular function. Nevertheless, individuals with prediabetes do not consume sufficient fruits and fiber-containing foods.
The study was carried out as a randomized two-arm parallel partially controlled feeding study with the objective of investigating the vascular and metabolic effects related to increased consumption of fruits. The study consisted of 82 adults with prediabetes, with the subjects having an average age of 45 ± 15 years and an average body mass index of 30 ± 6 kg/m².
The subjects were offered weekly plans that ensured the consumption of controlled calories while the composition of fruits in the diet was changed. The subjects were offered two types of intervention diets, with the subjects in the experiment being offered a diet containing an avocado and mango combination, termed the avocado and mango diet. The subjects in the control group received an energy-equivalent diet containing low-fat and low-fiber foods.
Key findings:
The dietary intervention was a randomized study in 82 adults with prediabetes and a mean age of 45±15 years and an average BMI of 30±6 kg/m².
The participants were provided a controlled diet consisting of 1500 kcal/day for women and 1750 kcal/day for men for a total of 8 weeks.
Daily consumption of one avocado and one cup of mango resulted in a significant improvement in vascular function.
The between-group differences in the change in flow-mediated vasodilation were -2.11±0.77% and the (P = 0.008).
Flow-mediated vasodilation was increased in the avocado-mango group by 1% and decreased in the control group.
The change in central diastolic blood pressure approached statistical significance with a (P = 0.07), and the change in brachial diastolic blood pressure was statistically significant with a (P = 0.03), particularly in men.
The intake of total fruit, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and monounsaturated fat was significantly increased in the avocado-mango group compared with the control group with (P < 0.05).
Consuming one avocado and one cup of mango per day for eight weeks resulted in a significant improvement in vascular function in adults with prediabetes, along with a significant improvement in fruit consumption and nutrient diversity in their diet. The study showed that dietary intervention resulted in improvement in endothelial function along with a reduction in blood pressure in adults with prediabetes. Therefore, it can be concluded that a dietary intervention in which nutrient-dense fruits play a key role can be a potential strategy for improving vascular function in adults with impaired glucose regulation
Reference:
Preiss, C., Tunio, S., Hirimuthugoda, L. K., Zoltoski, R., Ellison, R. L., Sandhu, A. K., Edirisinghe, I., & Burton-Freeman, B. M. (2026). Effects of increasing total fruit intake with avocado and mango on endothelial function and cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with prediabetes. Journal of the American Heart Association, 15(4), e040933. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.124.040933
