A new study suggests one common fruit could protect against diabetes
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Group of Nutritious organic fruit and vegetables
One popular fruit could have a positive effect on blood sugar control
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Scientists have uncovered a "potential gamechanger" in diabetes prevention, thanks to one popular tropical fruit found in UK supermarkets.
A new study suggests eating mangoes every day reduces insulin resistance in overweight adults, potentially protecting them from type 2 diabetes.
According to new research, eating about 100 calories-worth – or two cups – of mango every day could help to lower insulin concentration levels and improve insulin sensitivity in both overweight and obese people.
High levels of insulin, which helps to regulate blood sugar, can be an early warning sign of insulin resistance. Insulin sensitivity refers to how effectively the body's cells respond to insulin – and higher resistance leads to higher blood sugar levels.
The researchers say their findings emphasise how simple changes to the diet can have significant impacts on the risk of chronic health conditions.
The study's lead author, Prof Indika Edirisinghe, Professor of Food Science and Nutrition at the Illinois Institute of Technology said: "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."
fresh mango with slices isolated on white background
Eating mango every day could reduce diabetes risk in overweight people, a new study suggests
The study looked at 48 participants between the ages of 20 and 60. The researchers investigated how fresh mango compared to a calorie-matched food – a sorbet-like dessert – on inflammation and insulin sensitivity.
Participants who were overweight and obese adults with low-grade chronic inflammation were told to keep their normal diet and lifestyle throughout the four-week study. The team found that people who ate mangos daily experienced "significant" reductions in insulin resistance.
People in the mango group also had significantly lower insulin concentrations than at the start of the study, while no changes were observed in the control group.
What's more, the study found that body composition remained the same in the mango group, whereas the control group experienced a slight but significant increase in body weight, which researchers believe debunks misconceptions about mango's natural sugar content.
a nurse giving a patient a diabetes test
The result suggest mango could reduce insulin resistance, a warning sign of diabetes
However, it is important to note that further long-term research on larger and more diverse sample sizes is needed to validate these findings, so no solid conclusions can be drawn about the impact of eating mango on blood sugar control and diabetes risk just yet.
That said, the results highlight the importance of incorporating nutrition-rich fruit into our daily diet.
Prof Edirisinghe 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."
The study was published in the journal Nutrients.