Do mangoes help with constipation?

Eating a medium-sized mango daily for four weeks straight can have a dramatic effect on your digestive system. A study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research has found that the drupe is a natural laxative aid and can treat chronic constipation due to its high amount of fiber. Authors of the new study, however, caution that digestive wellness should rely on other factors such as consistent exercise and improved eating habits. Mangoes, they say, only address some symptoms of the gastrointestinal condition and do not cure all digestive indications.

• Consuming a mango fruit (300 g) or its equivalent fiber amount relieves chronic constipation in otherwise healthy patients.
• This was seen in improvements in both blood and fecal samples collected from the participants of this study.
• Results showed significant amelioration in constipation status (stool frequency, consistency, and shape); an increase in gastrin levels and fecal concentrations of short chain fatty acids; and reduced levels of endotoxins and interleukin 6 concentrations in the plasma.

These desirable effects are due to the high amounts of fiber and polyphenols found in mangoes. The fruit is noted to reduce intestinal inflammation which may contribute to constipation.

Do you know that more fresh mangoes are eaten around the world every day than any other fruit? Read more about this delicious superfood at Fruits.news.

Journal Reference:

Venancio VP, Kim H, Sirven MA, Tekwe CD, Honvoh G, Talcott ST, Mertens-Talcott SU. POLYPHENOL?RICH MANGO (MANGIFERA INDICA L.) AMELIORATE FUNCTIONAL CONSTIPATION SYMPTOMS IN HUMANS BEYOND EQUIVALENT AMOUNT OF FIBER. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 7 May 2018;62(12):1701034. DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201701034