The diet is an essential factor affecting the risk for development and progression of modern day chronic diseases, particularly those with pathophysiological roots in inflammation and oxidative stress-induced damage. The potential impact of certain foods and their bioactive compounds to reverse or prevent destructive dysregulated processes leading to disease has attracted intense research attention. The mango (Mangifera indica Linn.) is a tropical fruit with distinctive nutritional and phytochemical composition. Notably, the mango contains several essential water- and lipid-soluble micronutrients along with the distinguishing phytochemicals gallotannins and mangiferin. In vitro and in vivo studies reveal various mechanisms through which mangos or their associated compounds reduce risk or reverse metabolic- and inflammation-associated diseases. Health benefits of isolated individual mango compounds and extracts from mango by-products are well described in the literature with less attention devoted to the whole fruit. Here, we review and summarize the available literature assessing the health promoting potential of mango flesh, the edible portion contributing to dietary fruit intake, focusing specifically on modern day health issues of obesity and the risk factors and diseases it precipitates, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, this review explores new insights on the benefits of mango for brain, skin and intestinal health. Overall, the foundation of research supporting the potential role of mangos in reducing risk for inflammation- and metabolically-based chronic diseases is growing.

Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) contains a variety of polyphenols including anthocyanins and ellagitannins. Red raspberry polyphenols absorbed in different forms (parent compounds, degradants or microbial metabolites) are subject to xenobiotic metabolism in the intestine, liver, and/or kidney, forming methylate, glucuronide, and sulfate conjugated metabolites. Upon acute exposure, (poly)phenol/metabolite presence in the blood depends mainly on intestinal absorption, enterohepatic circulation, and metabolism by resident microbiota. However, chronic exposure to red raspberry polyphenols may alter metabolite patterns depending on adaptions in the xenobiotic machinery and/or microbiota composition. Understanding the metabolic fate of these compounds and their composition in different biological specimens relative to the exposure time/dose will aid in designing future health benefit studies, including the mechanism of action studies. The present exploratory study applied ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) and triple quadrupole (QQQ) mass spectrometries to characterize red raspberry polyphenols in fruit and then their appearance, including metabolites in human biological samples (plasma, urine and breast milk) after the chronic intake of red raspberries. The results suggested that the most abundant polyphenols in red raspberries included cyanidin 3-O-sophoroside, cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, sanguiin H6 and lambertianin C. Sixty-two (poly)phenolic compounds were tentatively identified in the plasma, urine and breast milk samples after the intake of red raspberries. In general, urine contained the highest content of phenolic metabolites; phase II metabolites, particularly sulfated conjugates, were mainly present in urine and breast milk, and breast milk contained fewer parent anthocyanins compared to urine and plasma.

The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has reached near-epidemic proportions in the Western world with other parts of the world following close behind. Glycemic control is paramount in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and T2DM. Berries may beneficially influence glycemic control through the action of their polyphenolic components. While clinical studies on the anti-diabetic effects of berry polyphenols are limited, epidemiological data have indicated favorable effects of berry/anthocyanins intake on development and/or management of T2DM. Furthermore, data derived from in vivo animal studies and in vitro cell culture models are promising. Various molecular targets and modulation of cell signaling pathways in pancreatic β-cells, hepatocytes, adipocytes, and skeletal muscle cells are among the proposed mechanisms for berry polyphenols and their metabolites’ action. Berry polyphenols may exert anti-diabetic effects by (i) enhancing insulin production and reducing apoptosis and promoting proliferation of pancreatic β-cells, (ii) regulating glucose metabolism by interfering with absorption or by increasing peripheral tissue glucose uptake through insulin receptor-dependent or independent mechanisms via modification of oxidative stress, inflammation or perceived energy status of cell. This mini review discusses recent findings from our laboratory and other studies on the anti-diabetic effects of berry polyphenolic compounds with special emphasis on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of berry polyphenol compounds.

With their rich history dating back 6000 years, figs are one of the oldest known plants to mankind and are a classical fruit in the Mediterranean diet. They possess a diverse array of bioactive components, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids, and tocopherols, which have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their health-promoting effects addressing gastrointestinal, respiratory, inflammatory, metabolic, and cardiovascular issues. This review summarizes the updated information on the phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity and other functional properties of fresh and dried figs cultivated in various parts of the world, highlighting variation in phenolic composition based on cultivar, harvesting time, maturity stage, processing, and fig parts. Additionally, the review delves into the bio-accessibility and bio-availability of bioactive components from figs and their potential influence on cardiovascular health, diabetes, obesity, and gut/digestive health. Data suggest that the intake of figs regularly in the diet, alone or with other dried fruits, increases select micronutrient intake and is associated with higher diet quality, respectively. Research in animal and human models of health and disease risk provide preliminary health benefits data on figs and their extracts from fig parts; however, additional well-controlled human studies, particularly using fig fruit, will be required to uncover and verify the potential impact of dietary intake of figs on modern day health issues.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common form of DM and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. Because it is a progressive disease, prevention, early detection and disease course modification are possible. Diet plays a critical role in reducing T2DM risk. Therapeutic dietary approaches routinely recommend diets high in plant foods (i.e., vegetables, fruits, whole-grains). In addition to essential micronutrients and fiber, plant-based diets contain a wide-variety of polyphenols, specifically flavonoid compounds. Evidence suggests that flavonoids may confer specific benefits for T2DM risk reduction through pathways influencing glucose absorption and insulin sensitivity and/or secretion. The present review assesses the relationship between dietary flavonoids and diabetes risk reduction reviewing current epidemiology and clinical research. Collectively, the research indicates that certain flavonoids, explicitly anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols and foods rich in these compounds, may have an important role in dietary algorithms aimed to address diabetes risk factors and the development of T2DM.

Avocados are distinctive fruits having both fats and fibers along with various micronutrients and bioactive phytochemicals. This study aimed to assess the effects of replacing carbohydrate energy in meals with half or whole avocado on postprandial indices of metabolic and vascular health. A single-center, randomized, controlled, 3-arm, 6 h, crossover study was conducted in overweight/obese middle-aged adults (n = 31). Participants consumed energy-matched breakfast meals containing 0 g (Control), 68 g (Half-A) or 136 g (Whole-A) fresh Hass avocado on 3 separate occasions. Post-meal glycemic (p < 0.0001), insulinemic (p < 0.0001) and flow mediated vasodilation (FMD) responses were reduced compared to Control meal (p < 0.01), independent of dose. Nuclear magnetic resonance analyses indicated lower concentrations of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and higher concentrations of larger high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles after the Whole-A vs. the Control meal (p = 0.02, p < 0.05, respectively). Race/ethnicity influenced sub-class lipoprotein concentrations (p < 0.05). Oxidized low-density-lipoproteins, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and interleukin-6 were not different among meals. Tumor necrosis factor-α tended to be lower after Whole-A vs. Control meal (p = 0.07). Replacing carbohydrate components with avocados in a meal improved FMD, a measure of endothelial function, and improved glycemic and lipoprotein profiles in overweight/obese adults. The study provides insight on the acute cardio-metabolic benefits of incorporating avocados into a meal.