Mangoes may help to erase wrinkles

In a new study from UC Davis, researchers have found that eating just the right amount of Ataulfo mangoes can substantially reduce wrinkles in older women with fair skin.

Just like other orange fruits and vegetables, mangoes are rich in beta carotene – a carotenoid and antioxidant that may help to delay the cell damage associated with aging.

The research was focused on postmenopausal women who added a specific portion of Ataulfo mangoes, also known as honey mangoes, to their weekly diet. 

The study revealed that women who ate a half cup of mangoes four times a week saw a 23 percent decrease in deep wrinkles after two months. 

“That’s a significant improvement in wrinkles,” said study lead author Vivien Fam, who is a doctoral student in the UC Davis Department of Nutrition. The experts also discovered that the amount of mangoes consumed was critical to achieving the desired result.

“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,” explained Fam.

According to the researchers, it is unclear why consuming more mango would increase the severity of wrinkles. They speculate that the negative effects may be tied to the increased amount of sugar in the larger portion of mangoes.

The randomized pilot study involved 28 postmenopausal women with fair skin types that burn more easily than they tan. The women were divided into two groups to consume either a half cup or a cup and a half of mangoes four times a week for four months. The team used a high-resolution camera system to evaluate wrinkles.

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

The experts assessed the severity, length and width of fine, deep, and emerging wrinkles. The group that consumed a half cup of mangoes saw improvements in all of these categories.

Fann noted that further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the reduction in wrinkles. She explained that it may be due to the beneficial effects of carotenoids and other phytonutrients that could help build collagen.

The study is published in the journal Nutrients.

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By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Staff Writer