Fact Check: Can eating Mango Cure Diabetes?

An Instagram post claims that consumption of Mango and Other Sweet Fruits Cure Diabetes. The claim is FALSE.

Claim

In an Instagram post, it is claimed that Mango and Other Sweet Fruits Cure Diabetes. In the post by drmakaniraj it is said, "There are people with diabetes whose blood sugar doesn’t stay under control—some take insulin, some are on medications. If you eat a lot of mangoes, your diabetes can get cured. Your blood sugar will come under control. How many of you already know about the DIP diet? How many are already on the DIP diet? See, so many of you raised your hands—quite a few people here know what I’m talking about because they’ve tried it themselves. Thank you.

So if mango can cure diabetes, what should you do? You should never eat it, right? No! Your diabetes will get worse. Isn’t that what we’ve been told? All sweet fruits—whether it’s chikoo, grapes, lychee, banana, or mango—the more you eat them, the faster your blood sugar will actually get fixed.

Here’s what you should do. This is for everyone, especially those who are insulin dependent. Early in the morning, on an empty stomach, eat the fruit you like the most. Right now, it’s mango season—that’s the benefit of timing—mangoes are easily available and cheap too. Get 1 kg, 2 kg, even 4 kg of mangoes. From morning till noon, just eat mangoes.

And then what happens? When you check your blood sugar after that, you won’t believe the results. You’ll think maybe your glucometer is broken. You just ate mangoes, didn’t take any medicine—and still, your blood sugar should’ve gone up, right? But often people keep rechecking with different glucometers in disbelief. The very things that can heal you, you’ve been told to avoid. Why have you avoided them? Because you’ve been told not to eat them."

The claim can be accessed here

Fact Check

The claim made by the Instagram user is false. Eating sweet fruits especially mangoes on an empty stomach does not prevent blood sugar spikes in people with diabetes. On the contrary, consuming high-sugar fruits alone without pairing them with protein or fiber can lead to a rapid rise in blood glucose levels, increasing the risk of hyperglycemia.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body is unable to use insulin effectively. Insulin is a key hormone responsible for controlling blood glucose levels. When diabetes is not well managed, it leads to hyperglycemia—or high blood sugar—which can, over time, cause serious harm to multiple organs and systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

Can Diabetes be Cured?

Although there is no definitive cure for diabetes at present, many individuals can achieve diabetes reversal. This means managing blood glucose levels so effectively that medications are no longer required, provided the condition is sustained through ongoing lifestyle changes such as a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

Dr Aarti Ullal, Physician and Diabetologist, Gleneagles Hospital Parel explained about Diabetes and said, "It is a known fact that diabetes can be managed through lifestyle changes like healthy eating, regular exercise, weight loss, and proper medication. However, saying it is 'cured' may be misleading, as diabetes is a lifestyle disease. Remember that controlled blood sugar levels don’t mean the disease is gone. Once you stop following healthy lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise, sleeping well, or fail to manage stress or take medication, then the blood sugar levels can increase, raising the risk of a stroke. So, there is no cure for diabetes, and it can only be controlled with the expert’s help. Don’t try any remedies or posts, or videos on social media that claim to cure diabetes."

What is the Glycemic Index and its effects on Blood Sugar?

The Glycemic Index (GI) ranks how quickly carbohydrate-containing foods raise blood sugar levels compared to pure glucose. High-GI foods release glucose rapidly, leading to sharp spikes in blood sugar, while low-GI foods release it gradually, promoting more stable glucose levels.

Fruits with a high or moderate GI such as bananas (GI 52), grapes (GI 56), and mangoes (GI 56) can cause quicker rises in blood sugar. This can be beneficial for quick energy needs, such as before vigorous activity. However, for individuals with diabetes or those aiming for weight control, frequent consumption of these fruits may cause undesirable blood sugar fluctuations, making low-GI fruits a better choice for sustained energy and glucose stability.

Can Mango and Other Sweet Fruits Cure Diabetes?

There is no scientific evidence or established medical consensus backing the claim that eating sweet fruits like mangoes, grapes, bananas, and sapodillas prevents blood sugar spikes in individuals with diabetes. On the contrary, studies support the consumption of low glycemic index foods as beneficial and advisable for diabetic patients. Hence, the claim is FALSE.

Diet plays a crucial role in managing diabetes, especially in controlling blood sugar levels. Research by Jennie Brand-Miller and colleagues showed that replacing high glycemic index (GI) foods with low-GI options can significantly improve medium-term blood glucose control in individuals with diabetes.

Maintaining blood sugar levels stable is essential for effective diabetes management. A study by Eleni Gerontiti et. al. found that following a low glycemic index diet helps minimize blood glucose variability, offering a beneficial strategy for enhancing overall glycemic control.

Therefore, dietary approaches that emphasize low-GI foods are advised for individuals with diabetes, reinforcing that the user's claim is FALSE.

Regarding the claim that mango cures diabetes, based on the information from Dr Vyankatesh Shivane FRCP(UK), MRCP (UK), Consultant Diabetologist & Metabolic Physician, Department of Endocrinology, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai the answer is a clear no. Mangoes and other sweet fruits are not going to cure diabetes. He further said, "Mangoes have a medium to high glycemic index, typically ranging from more than 50 or 50 to 60. A significant portion of the calories in mangoes comes from sugar. This combination means that for people with diabetes, mangoes are likely to increase blood sugar levels.

While mangoes and other sweet fruits do contain beneficial fiber, calcium, and potassium, their high sugar content and glycemic index are the primary factors impacting blood sugar for individuals with diabetes. Eating mangoes, especially on an empty stomach or immediately after a meal, can cause blood sugar to rise significantly.

If you have diabetes and choose to eat mangoes, it is recommended to do so in moderation, perhaps a small portion or a few slices only two or three times a week, rather than daily. You can help manage the impact by pairing mangoes with a good amount of protein or healthy fat to slow down the absorption of the simple carbohydrates. Consuming mangoes between meals may also be preferable to having them empty stomach or right after a meal. Studies using CGMS have shown reduced glycemic variability when mango intake is paired with protein and fat.

It's important to note that raw mangoes have a lower glycemic index than ripe mangoes, and preparations like mango juice, amras, and preserved pulp have more concentrated calories and sugar (preserved pulp is also not recommended due to added preservatives).

Crucially, if you choose to include mangoes in your diet, you must monitor your blood sugar more frequently. If your post-meal blood sugar is exceeding a high quantity, you should cut down on your mango intake."

Dr Aarti Ullal, Physician and Diabetologist, Gleneagles Hospital Parel responded to the claim and said, "No, mango and other sweet fruits cannot cure diabetes. While mangoes contain vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, they are also high in natural sugars. People with diabetes should in fact avoid eating mangoes. Don’t fall prey to any claims of mangoes curing diabetes. Managing diabetes requires a combination of healthy food choices, regular monitoring, and medical support. It is better to take the help of an expert instead of trying such remedies that are not backed by any research or evidence. Mango is better avoided with diabetes as it can cause fluctuation of blood sugar levels. Be cautious and avoid eating mango."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus supporting the idea that eating sweet fruits on an empty stomach prevents blood sugar spikes in people with diabetes. In fact, consuming fruits alone without other foods to slow absorption can lead to a more rapid increase in blood glucose levels.

Therefore, the user's claim is FALSE.