Experts say the popular food could be a potential health 'gamechanger'
14:10, 09 Mar 2025
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Mango is about 100 calories for two cups(Image: MEDITERRANEAN via Getty Images)
Scientists say a fresh fruit discovery could be a potential health "game-changer". Researchers say consuming two cups of mango, roughly equivalent to 100 calories, daily can potentially lower insulin levels and boost insulin sensitivity among adults battling overweight or obesity issues.
The study, published in the journal Nutrients, highlights the impact simple nutritional choices can have on reducing of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, which are closely connected to heart health. Researchers at the Illinois Institute of Technology conducted the study with 48 participants aged between 20-60 years.
They investigated how incorporating fresh mangos into a diet compared with a calorie-matched control food – Italian ices, a frozen dessert similar to sorbet. They examined how it stacked up in terms of inflammatory response and insulin sensitivity in obese and overweight individuals experiencing low-grade chronic inflammation.
Findings demonstrated significant reductions in insulin resistance among those who consumed mangos. Additionally, an improvement was noted in the pancreas function regarding insulin production and release to manage normal blood glucose levels, as determined by the disposition index (DI), a crucial indicator of blood sugar regulation effectiveness.
After a four-week period, individuals in the mango group registered a notable decrease in insulin concentrations contrasting with no observable changes in the control group, reports Surrey Live.
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Mango could be a health 'gamechanger'(Image: Jay's photo via Getty Images)
Professor of Food Science and Nutrition, Indika Edirisinghe, PhD, stated: "Managing blood glucose isn't just about monitoring blood sugar levels-it's about improving insulin sensitivity Our study suggests that adding fresh mangos to the diet can be a simple, enjoyable way for people who are overweight or have obesity to support better insulin function and reduce type 2 diabetes risk."
Interestingly, despite consuming foods with similar calorie content, the body composition remained stable in the mango group, while the control group saw a slight but significant increase in body weight. The study also found no significant difference in inflammation markers and glucose levels between the two groups at the end of the research, suggesting that mangos could be a heart-healthy alternative to other sweet treats with comparable calories.
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The professor added: "The improvement in insulin sensitivity in the mango group, without changes in body weight, is noteworthy – which counters misconceptions about mangos' natural sugar content and impact on obesity and diabetes. These findings support previous research showing that eating mango does not lead to weight gain, and while the exact mechanism is still unknown, the role of improved antioxidant status from mango consumption may be the mediating factor on blood glucose control."
While the National Mango Board (NMB) funded the study, it had no influence over the research or its conclusions. For more information on the nutritional benefits of mangos, visit Mango.org.