A recent study published in Nutrients indicates that regular mango consumption may improve insulin sensitivity and glucose control in overweight and obese individuals, potentially aiding in preventing metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
Obesity is strongly associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, which disrupts glucose metabolism and increases the risk of insulin resistance. Globally, approximately 12.5% of the population is obese, with 6% diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and another 9% classified as pre-diabetic. While losing 5-10% of body weight can improve metabolic health, researchers are also exploring the role of anti-inflammatory foods such as mango, which contains bioactive compounds, polyphenols, vitamins, and fibre beneficial to metabolic function.
The study included 48 overweight or obese adults with an average age of 37.6 years. Participants underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and were divided into two groups: one consuming one cup of mango twice daily and the other receiving a control product. After four weeks, the mango group demonstrated significantly lower insulin levels, improved insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR), and enhanced pancreatic beta-cell function (DI) despite stable fasting glucose levels.
No significant changes were observed in inflammatory markers, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP), or in the expression of genes related to inflammation and antioxidant defence. These findings suggest that mango consumption may be an effective dietary strategy for improving glucose metabolism in overweight individuals. However, further long-term studies are required to confirm these results and explore the underlying mechanisms.
