Improving insulin sensitivity with regular mango consumption

By Dr. Liji Thomas, MDReviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc.Feb 3 2025

Regular Mango Consumption Linked to Improved Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose Control in Overweight Individuals in sentence case.

Study: Mango Consumption Is Associated with Increased Insulin Sensitivity in Participants with Overweight/Obesity and Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation. Image Credit: Abubakkar14 / Shutterstock.com

A recently study published in Nutrients reports that the regular consumption of mangoes may improve inflammation, insulin sensitivity, and glucose control.

Dietary approaches to manage inflammation

Chronic low-grade inflammation is associated with an greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to associated blood glucose dysregulation, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and other complications.

Obesity, which affects 12.5% of the global population, is characterized by low levels of inflammation. About 6% of obese individuals are also diagnosed with T2DM, with 9% considered pre-diabetic due to the presence of abnormally high blood glucose levels.

Obese individuals who lose 5-10% of their body weight can experience significant improvements in their metabolic status and inflammation. Likewise, the incorporation of anti-inflammatory food products can also help manage metabolic disease.

Mangoes contain abundant fiber, micronutrients, and bioactive compounds. Regular mango consumption is associated with lower body weight, body mass index (BMI) values, and waist circumference measurements, as well as better diet quality and glucose tolerance. To date, few studies have examined how mango consumption contributes to blood glucose regulation.

About the study

The current study determined the effect of regular mango intake on chronic low-grade inflammation and insulin sensitivity in obese or overweight people. To this end, 48 obese or overweight people with a mean age of 37.6 years were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial.

All study participants completed a two-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at baseline. Thereafter, study participants were randomized to consume one cup of either mango or a control product in their diet twice daily for four weeks. OGTT was repeated at the end of the intervention period. 

Mango intake and inflammation

Regular mango consumption did not significantly affect any inflammation marker including interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), or C-reactive protein (CRP). Body weight increased in the control group after the intervention but not individuals who consumed mangos.

Mango intake and blood glucose

The average fasting glucose levels did not significantly change with mango intake. Fasting insulin levels were lower after four weeks in those who consumed mangos as compared to controls beginning from week one and persisting after the end of the intervention.

Mango consumption and insulin

Insulin levels were lower four weeks after beginning the intervention in the mango-consuming group as compared to controls and their baseline levels. No change in insulin levels was observed in the control group.

The Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) measures insulin response in the liver, which produces glucose in the fasting state. The disposition index (DI), which assesses pancreatic beta cell function, was also measured to determine the extent to which mango consumption affected glucose levels.

Both HOMA-IR and DI scores significantly and consistently improved in the mango intake group. At the end of four weeks, HOMA-IR and DI scores were 2.3 and 2.8 in the mango group, respectively, whereas control scores were 4.7 and 5.4, respectively.

Systemic insulin resistance was reduced after mango intake; however, the difference between the groups was not significant.

Gene expression unchanged

Despite a two-fold increase in the expression of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) gene, which controls antioxidant activity, this effect was not statistically significant. The relative expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4, both of which are involved in cellular responses to different pathogens, did not significantly change following mango consumption.

Conclusions

The study findings suggest that regular mango consumption improves glucose regulation by increasing insulin sensitivity at the hepatic and pancreatic levels, thus reducing the amount of insulin required to maintain normal glucose levels. The improved glycemic control may be due to more effective endogenous antioxidant activity, which is related to higher insulin sensitivity.

The improved glycemic control in mango consumers supports previously reported findings. Moreover, the lack of significance in several parameters could be due to the relatively short study duration.

The data support consuming mango fruit as part of a dietary pattern to address insulin resistance and warrant further research to understand the mechanisms underpinning the actions of mango intake.”