A new study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, showed that eating Ataulfo mangoes, also known as honey or Champagne mangoes, may have another benefit; reducing facial wrinkles in older women with a fairer complexion. The research was published in the Nutrients journal.
Postmenopausal women who ate half a cup of Ataulfo mango four times a week saw a 23% decrease in deep wrinkles after two months and a 20% decrease after four months.
But the observations are very specific, and they 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," said lead author Vivien Fam, a doctoral student in the UC Davis Department of Nutrition.
Researchers concluded that it is not clear whether eating more mango would raise the severity of the wrinkles, but that it may be due to a high quantity of sugar in the greater portion of mangoes.
The clinical study included 28 postmenopausal women with Fitzpatrick skin types II or III (a skin that burns more quickly than tans). Women were split into two groups: one group consumed a half cup of mango four days a week for four months, and another one consumed a cup and a half for the same span of time. Facial wrinkles were tested using a high-resolution camera setup.
The research investigated the severity, length, and width of fine, deep, and developing wrinkles. Fam said that the category that drank half a cup of mango showed progress in all groups.
Fam said more study is required to understand the processes behind wrinkle reduction. She said it might be attributable to the beneficial effects of carotenoids (orange or red plant pigments) and other phytonutrients that could help to create collagen.
Mango is very high in vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for the development of collagen. Collagen is the most common protein in your skin and provides structure.
People who do not get enough vitamin C experience a disorder known as scurvy. Many of the signs of scurvy, such as slow wound healing and scaly skin, are caused by decreased production of collagen.
Mango also contains a high amount of vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is believed to raise the chance of developing acne by increasing the development of protein keratin in your body. Overproduction of keratin can contribute to clogged hair follicles and sweat glands that grow into acne.
When applied topically, mangoes may be able to hydrate the skin as well. Mango butter, extracts, and oils are becoming increasingly more popular in skincare products.
