Glycemic, lipid, anthropometric and body composition responses to two Mango varieties versus white bread in people with type 2 diabetes: an 8-week randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Limited scientific evidence exists regarding the impact of mangoes on glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This randomized controlled trial assessed the effects of 8 weeks consumption of 250 gram/day of two popular Indian mango varieties (Safeda and Dasheri) compared to bread intake on glycemia, anthropometry and lipids in individuals with T2D. The study enrolled 35 participants with T2D, dividing them into three groups: Safeda mango (n = 10), Dasheri mango (n = 10), and bread as controls (n = 15), monitoring glycemic parameters, insulin sensitivity, anthropometric measurements (including 7 skinfolds), body composition measurement and lipid profile. Both mango varieties demonstrated significant improvements compared to bread in multiple parameters, with the Safeda and Dasheri groups showing fasting blood glucose reductions of 26.9 mg/dL (mango alone -7 mg/dL) and 36.1 mg/dL (mango alone -18.7 mg/dL), while glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased by 0.9% (bread +0.3% vs mango -0.6) and 0.5% (bread +0.3% vs mango -0.2%), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) decreased by 1.7 and 1.2, respectively, with reference to bread. Blood glucose values by self-monitoring decreased in mango group at all four time points, while body weight and total skinfolds decreased in both mango groups by 2.4 kg (bread +1.9 kg vs mango -0.5 kg) (Safeda) and 2.1 kg (bread +1.9 kg vs mango -0.4 kg) (Dasheri), and 17.7 mm (Safeda) and 20 mm (Dasheri), respectively, with reference to bread. Waist circumference showed significant reduction in mango groups compared to bread group. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased significantly in both mango groups. To summarise, regular consumption of Safeda and Dasheri mangoes instead of bread in breakfast, in a measured and controlled manner as a part of calorie restrictive diet, improved glycemic control, weight, waist circumference,, skinfold thickness, insulin sensitivity and HDL-C in T2D subjects.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-025-01690-w.

Keywords: Fasting blood glucose; Glycemic control; Glycosylated hemoglobin; HOMA-IR; Mango; Type 2 diabetes.