In Mexico, thousands of tons of mango peel They end up in the trash every year. However, what for many is waste, for researchers represents a gold mine in the shape of a phenolic compounds with enormous potential to prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes.
Diabetes, a disease that affects millions of Mexicans and represents a significant burden on the health system, could have a natural enemy in the peel of this tropical fruit. Recent studies have shown that Phenolic compounds present in this agricultural byproduct could be the key to combating insulin resistance, prediabetes and diabetes itself.
Insulin, a hormone crucial for blood sugar control, faces a formidable enemy in the modern diet and sedentary lifestyle: insulin resistance. When the body’s cells become resistant to the action of insulin, sugar builds up in the blood, which can lead to prediabetes and eventually diabetes.
Phenolic compounds in mango peel, such as mangiferin, gallic acid and quercetin, have been shown in animal studies to be able to reduce blood glucose levels by up to 25%in addition to normalizing insulin function and improving glucose uptake by cells.
A promising mechanism of action
One of the ways in which These compounds act by slowing the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine., which in turn helps control blood sugar levels. In addition, its antioxidant properties combat oxidative stress, an important factor in the development of diabetes.
The use of mango peel as a source of nutraceuticals and functional foods opens a gap towards a healthier future. Ongoing research seeks to optimize the extraction and purification of these phenolic compounds, as well as explore their potential in clinical and pharmaceutical applications.
Mango peel, once a worthless waste, is emerging as an invaluable treasure in the fight against diabetes. Its responsible and sustainable use could help prevent this disease, improve the quality of life of millions of people and alleviate the burden it represents on the health system.
The benefits of phenolic compounds in mango peel could extend beyond diabetes. Preliminary research suggests that these compounds may also have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties.
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