But according to leading diabetologist Dr. Anoop Misra, mangoes are not the enemy they are made out to be.
MANGOES DON'T WORSEN BLOOD SUGARDr. Misra said there is surprisingly little scientific evidence on mangoes despite their popularity in countries like India.
advertisementWatch the full podcast here:CAN DIABETICS EAT MANGOES?
According to Dr Anoop Misra:Yes, people with diabetes can eat mangoes.
"How can we not eat mangoes in summer?"
For years, people with diabetes have been told to stay away from mangoes. The king of fruits, associated with high sugar content, has earned a bad reputation among diabetics.
But according to leading diabetologist Dr. Anoop Misra, mangoes are not the enemy they are made out to be.
Speaking on the podcast Doctor vs the Internet, Dr. Misra said that people with diabetes do not necessarily need to avoid mangoes, provided they are eaten in moderation and as a replacement for other carbohydrates, not in addition to them.
MANGOES DON'T WORSEN BLOOD SUGAR
Dr. Misra said there is surprisingly little scientific evidence on mangoes despite their popularity in countries like India.
"We reviewed the literature in 2022 and found only about eight studies worldwide. Six of those were done in the US on Mexican mangoes," he said.
To fill this gap, his team received funding from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and conducted a series of studies using common Indian varieties such as Langra, Dussehri and Safeda.
In one study, researchers replaced bread at breakfast with mangoes and compared blood sugar responses in both healthy people and those with diabetes.
"We found that if we gave 250 grams of mango instead of bread, there was no adverse effect on blood sugar," Dr. Misra said.
The findings remained consistent in short-term two-hour studies, six-day monitoring with continuous glucose sensors, and even in a two-month trial.
In fact, participants who consumed mangoes as a substitute for refined carbohydrates showed improvements in blood sugar and other metabolic markers.
REPLACEMENT, NOT ADDITION
Dr. Misra stressed that mangoes should not be treated as an extra indulgence.
"It is actually not bad at all, provided it replaces simple carbohydrates like bread. But people hear this and think they have the freedom to eat unlimited mangoes. That's where the problem begins," he said.
According to him, the recommended amount is around 250 grams, roughly one small mango, for both diabetics and non-diabetics.
However, the fruit should be incorporated into an overall diet plan with the help of a nutritionist or doctor.
"You cannot overeat mangoes. You have to fit them into your diet and eat them in restricted quantities," he added.
Dr. Misra, who hails from Lucknow, recalled that mangoes were traditionally consumed in a structured way in Indian households.
"Mangoes used to be a ritual. They were eaten after lunch and enjoyed seasonally," he said.
He believes the fear around mangoes is exaggerated, and people with diabetes need not give up the fruit completely.
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Watch the full podcast here:
CAN DIABETICS EAT MANGOES?
According to Dr Anoop Misra:
Yes, people with diabetes can eat mangoes.
Limit the quantity to about 250 grams or one small mango.
Mangoes should replace other carbohydrate sources such as bread, not be added on top of them.
Portion control is essential.
They should be included as part of an overall diet plan under medical or nutritional guidance.
"How can we not eat mangoes in summer?" Dr Misra said. "But moderation is important. One mango is different from ten."
- Ends
