This High-Sugar Fruit May Actually Lower Diabetes Risk!

Asianet News English

Think all high-sugar foods are bad for diabetes? Think again. New research shows that eating mangoes daily can help improve blood sugar control and reduce body fat in adults with prediabetes. Despite containing more sugar than many snack bars, mangoes deliver natural sugars along with fiber, vitamins, and nutrients that support metabolic health.

Transcript

00:00Diabetes is a growing concern worldwide. Millions of people live with pre-diabetes, a condition

00:05that raises the risk of type 2 diabetes. Now, managing blood sugar levels is crucial for these

00:10individuals. So, what you eat matters a lot. Now, when we talk about sugar and diabetes,

00:16most of us think that the less sugar, the better. That's a natural assumption also.

00:21But her new research is now challenging that idea, especially when it comes to fruit.

00:25Take mangoes, for example. This tropical fruit is deliciously sweet but also comes with a high

00:31sugar content, about 32 grams per serving. Now, compare that to many low-sugar snacks and mangoes

00:39seem like a poor choice, right? Well, not necessarily. A research from George Mason

00:43University's Department of Nutrition and Food Studies has found that eating mangoes daily may

00:48actually help improve blood sugar control for people with pre-diabetes. Yes, you heard that right.

00:53A fruit high in sugar might help lower diabetes risk. Dr. Basiri, the lead researcher, explains

00:59that it's not just about the sugar in food, but the entire food context. Mangoes are rich

01:04in fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients which play a role in balancing blood sugar levels.

01:09This contrasts with processed foods that may have added sugars but lack additional nutrients.

01:14The study was the first of its kind, a long-term clinical trial focusing on how mangoes affect

01:20adults with pre-diabetes. Participants were split into two groups. One group ate a fresh mango every

01:25day, while the other group had a low-sugar granula bar daily. Over six months, the research team

01:31tracked blood glucose levels, insulin response, and even body fat measurements. The results were

01:38surprising. The mango-eating group showed better blood sugar control and improved insulin sensitivity.

01:44Plus, they also experienced reductions in body fat. This is significant because insulin sensitivity

01:48is a key factor in preventing type 2 diabetes. Improved insulin function means that the body

01:53handles sugar more effectively. And lowering body fat adds another layer of protection against

01:59diabetes. So, should people with pre-diabetes start eating mangoes every day? Well, the researchers

02:04say yes, but with balance in mind. The sugars in mangoes come naturally, accompanied by fiber

02:10and other nutrients, which helps the body process them more healthily. In contrast, processed

02:15snacks with added sugars often spike blood sugar levels faster. These can increase the risk of

02:21diabetes over time, even if they technically contain less sugar than a mango. Dr. Basidi also

02:26highlights that focusing solely on sugar amounts can be misleading. Whole fruits like mango provide a

02:32package of benefits that go beyond just the sugar content. For individuals at high risk of diabetes,

02:37incorporating mangoes into a balanced diet can be a practical strategy for diabetes prevention.

02:43The study also encourages us to look at food in a more holistic way. Now, nutritional value is not just

02:49about one component like sugar. It's about the whole experience the food offers to your body. It's important

02:55to remember that this research is based on clinical trials and should be a part of an overall healthy lifestyle,

03:01including exercise and medical advice. No single food is a magic bullet. So, next time you're choosing snacks,

03:07don't just count sugar grams. Think about bigger picture. Nature sweets like mango may just be working in favor,

03:14even if they taste indulgent.

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