Mango-Avocado Combo Boosts Heart Health, Study Finds

Adding one avocado and a cup of mango to daily diet may improve blood vessel function and blood pressure in adults with prediabetes.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that adding one avocado and a cup of mango to your daily routine may help support key markers of cardiovascular health. Adults with prediabetes who enjoyed this combination daily for eight weeks saw improvements in blood vessel function and diastolic blood pressure.

Why it matters

For the one in three Americans living with prediabetes, this research reinforces the power of food-first strategies to help reduce cardiovascular disease risk. The findings highlight the value of adding nutrient-rich fruits like avocado and mango to the diet, especially for those at risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The details

Conducted by researchers at Illinois Institute of Technology, the study asked adults with prediabetes to follow an Avocado-Mango (AM) diet - adding one medium Hass avocado and a cup of fresh mango to their daily meals and snacks for eight weeks. Those on the AM diet saw meaningful improvements in blood vessel function and diastolic blood pressure, compared to a control group.

  • The study was published on February 24, 2026.
  • The study was conducted over an 8-week period.

The players

Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech)

The university where the study was conducted.

Britt Burton-Freeman, PhD

The Principal Investigator and Professor at Illinois Tech who led the study.

National Mango Board (NMB)

The agricultural research and promotion program that provided an unrestricted grant to support the study.

Hass Avocado Board (HAB)

The organization that provided an unrestricted grant to support the study.

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What they’re saying

“This research reinforces the power of food-first strategies to help reduce cardiovascular disease risk, particularly in vulnerable populations like those with prediabetes.”

— Britt Burton-Freeman, PhD, Principal Investigator and Professor at Illinois Tech (Illinois Institute of Technology)

What’s next

The researchers plan to conduct a longer-term study to further examine the cardiovascular benefits of the Avocado-Mango diet.

The takeaway

Adding nutrient-dense fruits like avocado and mango to your diet may support heart health without the need for major lifestyle changes, providing a simple and satisfying way to nourish the body.