Ripe Mango
In 2001, a study at the University of Florida indicated that Mangoes contain several cancer fighting components including carotinoids and phenolic compounds called polyphenols, both powerful antioxidants.
A more recent study funded by the National Mango Board and done at Texas A&M University’s AgriLife Research department determined that one class of these phenolic compounds, known as gallotannins, is particularly effective in killing breast cancer and colon cancer cells under laboratory conditions.
In the earlier study, mangoes were pureed and separated into a carotinoid portion and a portion heavy in phenolics. While both portions inhibited cancer formation, the phenolic portion was shown to be more effective. Some of the compounds were suspected of being unique to Mangoes and the results suggested that further studies were warranted.
This brings up the later study. The husband and wife team of Dr. Susanne and Dr. Steve Talcott at Agrilife Research found that gallotannins were effective in slowing the growth of lung, prostate, and leukemia cancer cells, but were even more effective against breast and colon cancer. The compounds actually caused the breast and colon cancer cells to stop multiplying and die in a form of cell suicide called apoptosis.
The gallotannins also prevented damaged cells, those showing precancerous signs, from developing further. When the compounds were administered to normal, healthy cells, no harm was done.
Although the research was funded by the National Mango Board, there appears to be no reason to question the findings.
Of course, not all experiments performed in the laboratory pan out when used on human subjects. But the results give hope that another, more natural alternative to widely prescribed cancer drugs may soon be offered to cancer victims. Clinical trials may begin soon to determine the efficacy on human subjects.
In the meantime, eat more mangoes and drink tea, which is also high in gallotannins.
