Avocado and Mango Improve Blood Vessel Function

A small eight-week study found daily avocado and mango consumption improved blood vessel function in prediabetic adults without weight gain.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Nutrition

Halved avocado and cut golden mango cubes arranged on a white plate on a light wooden countertop beside a glass of water in soft daylight. — Daily avocado and mango consumption improved blood vessel function in 82 prediabetic adults over eight weeks, researchers at the Illinois Institute of Technology reported. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Researchers at the Illinois Institute of Technology reported that daily avocado and mango intake improved blood vessel function in 82 prediabetic adults over eight weeks. The study was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association and funded by the National Mango Board and the Hass Avocado Board.

Why it matters

Roughly one in three U.S. adults is prediabetic, and blood vessel health is closely tied to cardiovascular risk. The findings suggest whole-food dietary changes may support vascular health without altering calorie intake or body weight.

The study measured flow-mediated dilation, a standard test of endothelial function, in 82 adults aged 25 to 60 who were overweight or obese. Whether the improvements persist beyond eight weeks or reduce cardiovascular events has not been established.

The players

Illinois Institute of Technology

A private research university in Chicago whose investigators conducted the study on avocado, mango and vascular health.

Journal of the American Heart Association

A peer-reviewed open-access journal published by the American Heart Association that carries clinical and translational cardiovascular research.

The details

Participants followed calorie-controlled meal plans, with researchers delivering meals covering 75 percent of estimated daily caloric needs. One group ate half a Hass avocado and a cup of fresh mango daily, while the control group received carbohydrate-based alternatives with comparable calories. Benefits were seen in blood vessel function and diastolic blood pressure, particularly among men.

Eight-week study intervention period for participants.
Findings published in November 2026.

Roadmap

The study targets the large U.S. prediabetic population identified by CDC prevalence estimates, which place roughly one in three adults in that range. It tests whole-food intake rather than calorie restriction, shifting the question toward how specific foods affect vascular function in that group.

Adults with prediabetes may consider whole-food changes such as adding avocado or mango to a calorie-controlled diet, though the study used supervised meal plans. Any dietary change for blood vessel or blood sugar health should be discussed with a clinician.

The takeaway

Adding whole fruits such as avocado and mango to a balanced diet may support vascular function in prediabetic adults without adding calories or weight. Pairing dietary changes with clinical guidance remains the most reliable approach for managing prediabetes.