Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Polyphenols Enhanced by Supplemental Probiotics Improve Biomarkers for Inflammation and Cognitive Function in Lean and Obese Individuals

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the effects of daily mango supplementation with probiotics for 8 weeks on inflammation and cognitive function in lean and obese individuals. It was hypothesized that mango supplementation with probiotic consumption has a synergistic benefit by enhancing the bioavailability of their metabolites and their beneficial activities. METHODS: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted in 50 healthy lean (BMI 18–23 kg/m(2)) and 44 obese (BMI 27–35 kg/m(2)) participants aged 18–55. Participants consumed 400 g of mango pulp with one placebo/probiotics capsule over 8 weeks. On days 1 and 54, participants underwent cognitive function tests and blood-collections. In addition, participants took 10 sessions of visual cognitive function testing on days 43–54.< RESULTS: Mango intake with probiotics for 8 weeks reduced plasma levels of TNF-a and IL-10 (p = 0.037 and 0.049, respectively) compared to mango placebo group in obese participants but had no significant effect in lean participants. Visual cognitive performance was greater in lean participants (p = 0.050) but training responses were similar to obese. Probiotic resulted in lower visual cognitive performance (p = 0.018) but similar training responses as compared to placebo. In the trail making test (Attention) and digit span test (Memory), mango intake significantly improved overall cognitive performance in the lean participants, but only on the digit span backward test in obese participants. Simultaneous intake of mango and probiotics was not significantly different compared to mango with placebo in the trail making test but showed a synergistic effect in the digit span test. The amount of plasma metabolites was directly correlated with BMI (p = 0.0176, r = −0.1753, Spearman correlation) and IFN-g (p = 0.0336, r = 0.1572, Spearman correlation). CONCLUSIONS: Mango consumption improved cognitive performance in lean individuals, whereas simultaneous intake of mango and probiotics had a synergistic effect in attenuating inflammation and improving cognitive functioning in obese individuals, at least in part due to increased bioavailability of mango polyphenols. FUNDING SOURCES: USDA-AMS-National Mango Board.