Indian Mangoes and Diabetes: Two Recent Studies Show Surprising Metabolic Benefits

Indian Mangoes and Diabetes: Two Recent Studies Show Surprising 
Metabolic Benefits

New Delhi, 07th August, 2025 — Two recently published clinical studies done by Fortis C-DOC hospital 
for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, New Delhi with the National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol 
Foundation (N-DOC) in New Delhi revealed how a monitored consumption of a variety of Indian 
mangoes within restrictive diets may offer measurable benefits in glycemic control and metabolic 
health among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

This is a significant departure from conventional dietary advice for diabetes management. These 
comprehensive findings were published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Accepted for 
publication) and the Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders (published and online on August 6, 25), 
with evidence-based reassurance for including mangoes in prescribed diabetic diets.
The study has been co-authored by Dr. Anoop Misra, Padma Shri, Executive Chairman & Director, 
Diabetes and Endocrinology, Fortis C-Doc Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, who is the senior 
author and study lead, with Dr. Sugandha Kehar, Fortis C-DOC Hospital, New Delhi, who is the first 
author for both studies.

Study 1: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Study with Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Oral 
Tolerance Test (Accepted for publication, not yet online)

Study Findings:
• Oral Tolerance Test- Mangoes produced a similar or lower (non-significant) glycemic (blood 
sugar) response than bread in both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals.
• CGM analysis- Over three days, the Mean Amplitude of Glycemic Excursion (MAGE, a measure 
of harmful glucose variability) was significantly lower after mango consumption (as compared 
to bread) in the diabetic participants, suggesting greater glycemic stability (a beneficial 
response). 
Methodology:
In this study published in EJCN, researchers assessed 95 participants (45 with T2D and 50 non-diabetic) 
using Oral Tolerance Tests (OTT, a two hour test carried out after the consumption of 250 gm of 
mangoes or similar calorie bread, with multiple blood sugar estimations) and Continuous Glucose 
Monitoring (CGM, a three day continuous sensor based sugar monitoring) to evaluate the impact of 
three common Indian mango varieties- Safeda, Dasheri, and Langra, compared to glucose and white 
bread.
Study 2: Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders: 8-Week Randomized Trial (online on 6th August, 
2025, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40761695/)
Study Findings:
• Both the mango groups experienced reductions in fasting blood glucose, HbA1c (long term 
measure of average glucose), and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, and indicator of effectiveness 
of internally produced insulin).
• Mango consumption led to decreased body weight, waist circumference (indicative of 
unhealthy abdominal fat), and skinfold thickness (indicative of metabolically unhealthy fat
under the skin) indicating the stability of body.
• HDL (good cholesterol) levels improved significantly.
Methodology:
This was a randomized controlled trial held among 35 adults with T2D who consumed either 250 
grams/day (one small-sized fruit) of Safeda or Dasheri mangoes, or an equivalent amount of white 
bread at breakfast for 8 weeks.
Dr. Anoop Misra: "We showed the benefits of small doses of mangoes in place of carbohydrates 
(bread) in breakfast in two detailed studies for the first time, laying to rest all speculations regarding 
adverse metabolic effects of its consumption. However, these must be incorporated into diets under 
strict supervision of nutritionists—within prescribed limits and not in excess—and aligned to the 
individual’s clinical profile, as judged by physicians."
Dr. Sugandha Kehar: "Mangoes are a much-loved fruit and maligned for their possible glucose and 
weight-elevating effects. These studies, painstakingly done by us, show that within prescribed diets, 
consumption of mangoes is not detrimental to blood glucose and may even be beneficial."
Rethinking Carefully About Mangoes in Indian Diabetic Diets
India has one of the world’s highest numbers of T2D patients, and simultaneously, mangoes are a 
staple, traditional, and much-loved summer fruit. Traditionally discouraged in diabetic diets due to 
their perceived sugar content, mangoes may now be reconsidered as a viable component of 
moderated, calorie-restricted meal plans, especially when replacing refined carbohydrates like white 
bread.
Note: Both studies were conducted at Fortis C-DOC and the National Diabetes, Obesity and 
Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC) in New Delhi. The trials have also received ethics approvals and were 
registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. Funding support was provided by the Indian Council of Medical 
Research.
About Fortis C-DOC Hospital Diabetes, Endocrinology & Allied Multi Specialties: 
Fortis C-DOC Hospital is a 23-bed facility spread over an area of 20,000 square feet at Delhi’s Chirag Enclave. The hospital has been in operation since January 2012 and has emerged as one its kind hospital in North India providing comprehensive treatment, care and management for diabetes, metabolic diseases and endocrine disorders. The hospital is equipped with luxurious rooms, 2 operating suites, advanced centre for diabetic foot and wound care, scientific weight loss and weight management, bariatric and minimal access surgery, insulin pump, total knee /hip replacement surgery, diabetic eye lab and dialysis lab, round the clock diagnostic lab, radiology and pharmacy services. A dedicated team of top medical experts follow globally accepted protocols supported by state-of-the-art technology, with internationally acclaimed Padma awardee and Dr. B. C. Roy awardee--Prof. Anoop Misra, a diabetes expert and researcher.

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