While a golden, juicy mango contains nearly 23 grams of sugar and would in the past not be a recommended afternoon snack for someone with blood-sugar challenges, new research suggests it could be OK to indulge in one of the sweetest fruits.

The good news for anyone struggling with obesity, or chronic low-grade inflammation, is that regular mango consumption may improve insulin sensitivity.

A randomized, controlled study by researchers at the Illinois Institute of Technology revealed no significant changes in inflammation markers in participants who consumed mango twice daily for four weeks. The mango-consuming participants also showed lower fasting insulin levels and enhanced insulin-resistance markers than the control group.

The results, published in Nutrients, suggest that consuming mango could support better glucose regulation and reduce type 2 diabetes risk.

The team believes the bioactive compounds and influence on cellular antioxidant defenses in mangoes may be the link to these benefits.

The bigger picture indicates that with more research, further fruit-based dietary interventions may improve metabolic health.

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