Eating Ataulfo mangoes, also known as honey or Champagne mangoes, may have another benefit — reducing facial wrinkles in older women with fairer skin. The study, conducted by researchers from University of California, Davis, was published in the journal Nutrients.

Postmenopausal women who ate a half cup of Ataulfo mangoes four times a week saw a 23% decrease in deep wrinkles after 2 months and a 20% decrease after 4 months, according to a media release from UC Davis.

“That’s a significant improvement in wrinkles,” says lead author Vivien Fam, a doctoral student in the UC Davis Department of Nutrition. But the findings are very specific and come with a caveat.

“Women who ate a cup and a half of mangoes for the same periods of time saw an increase in wrinkles. This shows that while some mango may be good for skin health, too much of it may not be,” Fam adds.

Researchers note that it’s unclear why consuming more mango would increase the severity of wrinkles but speculate that it may be related to a robust amount of sugar in the larger portion of mangoes.

Study Results

The randomized clinical pilot study involved 28 postmenopausal women with Fitzpatrick skin types II or III (skin that burns more easily than tans). Women were divided into two groups: one group consumed a half cup of mangoes four times a week for 4 months, and another consumed a cup and a half for the same period of time. Facial wrinkles were evaluated using a high-resolution camera system.

“The system we used to analyze wrinkles allowed us to not just visualize wrinkles, but to quantify and measure wrinkles. This is extremely accurate and allowed us to capture more than just the appearance of wrinkles or what the eye might see.”

— Robert Hackman, professor in the Department of Nutrition and corresponding author of the study

The study looked at the severity, length and width of fine, deep and emerging wrinkles. Fam shares that the group that consumed a half cup of mangoes saw improvements in all categories.

Further research is needed to learn the mechanisms behind the reduction in wrinkles, Fam concludes, adding that it may be due to the beneficial effects of carotenoids (orange or red plant pigments), and other phytonutrients that could help build collagen, per the release.

[Source(s): University of California at Davis, EurekAlert]


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