Mangoes are usually sought after for their sweetness, but people may now have an entirely different reason to buy them. According to a recent study by the scientists at the University of Queensland (UQ), two out of the three mango variants under their observation have proven helpful in fat reduction.
The mango variants Irwin and Nam Doc Mai originated from Florida, USA, and Thailand respectively. Surprisingly, it’s not the flesh of the fruit itself that contributes to weight loss but the skin. Apparently, it isn’t uncommon for the outer skin to have an entirely different composition from the flesh. In this particular case, both Irwin and Nam Doc Mai varieties contain high concentrations of bioactives, which hinder the development of human fat cells.
The project is a collaboration between the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation and UQ School of Pharmacy and has the potential to help fight obesity. According to researchers, the study also serves as a reminder that we should look at the whole fruit—skin and seed included—when considering its health benefits.
(Photo by Wee Keat Chin via Flickr Creative Commons)
