The daily consumption of mango for 24 weeks improved the glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and body composition in adults with prediabetes, which supports the potential of mango as a practical dietary intervention for metabolic health. Image credit: Mohan Nannapaneni.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a significant portion of the adult population in the United States, exceeding 130 million individuals, are currently managing either diabetes or prediabetes. This figure includes an estimated 98 million people identified as having prediabetes.
Forecasting suggests that by the year 2030, the prevalence of prediabetes is projected to impact nearly 40% of adults residing in the U.S.
The early detection and proactive prevention strategies implemented during the prediabetic phase are of paramount importance, given that numerous individuals remain unaware of their condition until clinical manifestations or subsequent health complications emerge.
Nutritional strategies are critically important for effective glycemic regulation; a healthy dietary regimen actively supports enhanced blood glucose management and contributes to sustained overall well-being.
Within the framework of the Diabetes Prevention Program, a lifestyle intervention led to a 58% reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes. In comparison, the drug metformin demonstrated a 31% reduction when contrasted with a placebo. Consequently, the identification of readily accessible, natural Avenues to mitigate these risk factors could prove instrumental in postponing the onset of diabetes and curtailing its associated complications.
Dietary approaches characterized by a high intake of fruits, vegetables, and beneficial bioactive compounds have consistently yielded favorable outcomes concerning glycemic control and overall metabolic health.
Mango, a tropical fruit, harbors a range of bioactive compounds. These include carotenoids, ascorbic acid, dietary fiber, phenolic constituents, gallic acid, and quercetin, all of which may contribute to its purported health-promoting properties.
“The critical factor is not solely the sugar content, but the comprehensive food matrix that is significant,” stated Dr. Raedeh Basiri, a distinguished clinical nutrition researcher affiliated with George Mason University.
“Our investigation represents the inaugural long-term clinical trial that has substantiated both metabolic and body composition advantages associated with mango consumption in individuals diagnosed with prediabetes.”
“In essence, the benefits extend beyond the sugar present in the food; the entirety of the food item is what matters. The naturally occurring sugars in mangoes, and other fruits, are complemented by inherent fiber, vitamins, and nutrients that confer additional health advantages.”
“Foods containing added sugars, such as breakfast cereals, and even certain low-sugar snack alternatives, may lack comparable nutritional value and could potentially elevate the risk of developing diabetes.”
“The overarching objective is to encourage the integration of whole fruits, like mango, into established healthy eating patterns and practical dietary methodologies for the primary prevention of diabetes.”
“Individuals who are at heightened risk for developing diabetes should direct their attention not only to the simple sugar content of foods but also to the manner in which these sugars are delivered within the food matrix.”
Dr. Basiri and her research collaborators divided the study participants into two distinct cohorts. One group was provided with a fresh mango on a daily basis, while the alternative group received a low-sugar granola bar each day.
Over the course of a six-month period, the investigative team meticulously documented participants’ blood glucose concentrations, their bodies’ physiological responses to insulin, and their measured body fat percentages.
The empirical findings indicated that the mango, despite its higher sugar content (32 grams of sugar), demonstrated superior benefits compared to a low-sugar granola bar (containing 11 grams of sugar).
The cohort that incorporated a daily mango into their diet exhibited improvements in blood glucose regulation, enhanced insulin sensitivity, and a reduction in overall body fat composition.
“Our research outcomes corroborate and broaden the existing body of evidence pertaining to the metabolic benefits derived from the daily consumption of fresh mangoes among prediabetic adults,” the scientific authors reported.
“Participants who engaged in the practice of consuming one average-sized mango per day for a duration of 24 weeks experienced a notable decrease in their fasting blood glucose levels when juxtaposed with the control cohort.”
“Subsequent investigations ought to incorporate objective dietary biomarkers (such as plasma carotenoids and urinary polyphenols) to augment the precision and reliability of their findings.”
“Furthermore, these future studies should endeavor to include a more heterogeneous range of demographic groups and undertake an evaluation of the underlying mechanisms responsible for the observed effects, including the role that mango’s bioactive constituents might play in modulating insulin signaling pathways and inflammatory responses.”
“Extended follow-up periods and comparative analyses against other fruits or established dietary interventions could be beneficial in further elucidating the distinctive advantages that mango offers for metabolic well-being.”
“Finally, future research endeavors should delve into the broader spectrum of health advantages associated with mango consumption that extend beyond glycemic control and body composition improvements. This could encompass potential impacts on metabolic pathways and alterations in gene expression, acknowledging that individual responses to identical foods can exhibit considerable variability.”
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Raedeh Basiri et al. 2025. Daily Mango Intake Improves Glycemic and Body Composition Outcomes in Adults with Prediabetes: A Randomized Controlled Study. Foods 14 (17): 2971; doi: 10.3390/foods14172971
