The Multifaceted Benefits of Exotic Fruit Discovered 0 12

Scientists have determined that different parts of mango are beneficial for metabolism in different ways. The flesh and skin primarily work through the gut microbiota, while the seed extract acts directly on the body. This conclusion was reached by the authors of a study published in Frontiers in Nutrition.

In the experiment, mice were given mango flesh, skin, or seed extract for 30 days. All three options were associated with less weight gain compared to the control group, but the most noticeable effects were shown by the skin and seed extract. At the same time, the flesh and skin significantly altered the composition of gut bacteria and the metabolic profile, while the seed extract had little effect on the metabolites in the intestine.

The authors concluded that the flesh and skin help by restructuring the microbiota. The skin turned out to be the most powerful "regulator" and had the greatest impact on lipid metabolism and other substances. The seed extract, on the other hand, had a weak influence on the intestinal environment but was associated with changes in steroid hormone synthesis pathways, which may indicate its direct systemic action after absorption.

Researchers believe that the results could help utilize not only the flesh but also the typically discarded parts of mango — primarily the skin and seed — to create functional food ingredients. However, since the work was conducted on mice, the potential benefits for humans still need to be confirmed in clinical studies.