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Eating more than two mangoes daily may worsen gestational diabetes , Experts warns
Eating more than two mangoes daily may worsen gestational diabetes , Experts warns
By Francesca Hangeior
While mangoes are indeed a nutrient powerhouse, packed with iron, vitamin C, A, and B6, potassium, and folic acid, experts caution that consuming more than two mangoes a day could worsen complications for women with gestational diabetes and called for moderation.
Being the season of mango with over 300 varieties to be enjoyed worldwide, specialists warn that excess consumption of mangoes with a glycemic index between 51 and 55 may put pregnant women with gestational diabetes at a higher risk of complications.
They, however, cautioned pregnant women with gestational diabetes who crave mangoes to eat them in moderation without peeling the back to reduce their sugar content.
According to them, overeating can lead to excess weight gain, which also worsens gestational diabetes.
An online medical portal, Cleveland Clinic, described gestational diabetes as the type that develops in pregnancy when blood sugar levels get too high.
This, it, usually appears between 24 and 28 weeks, and is usually pregnancy-induced.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise in different interviews, both nutritionists and diabetologists described the Glycemic Index as a number that gives an idea about how fast the body converts carbohydrates in food to glucose.
They said if GI is a way to rank foods containing carbohydrates on a scale from 1 to 100 based on how much they affect blood sugar levels, the smaller the number, the less impact the food has on blood sugar.
A Director of Nutrition Services and Health Education at the Osun State Primary Health Care Development Board, James Oloyede, said women with gestational diabetes can eat mangoes but in moderation.
He noted that the reason some foods make blood sugar shoot up faster is due to simple carbohydrates in them, such as refined sugars, which make it easier for the body to change into glucose, which is the sugar the body uses for energy.
Oloyede added, “Mango can still be consumed by someone with gestational diabetes. However, the consumption should be moderate.”
The Nutritionist said that this is important due to the high glycemic index of mango as a result of its high sugar content that confers on it the natural sweetness it has.
Oloyede, who recommended not too ripe and strong mangoes for pregnant women, said, “A ripe mango is naturally sweet. Most dieticians would recommend a 100g mango ripe but firm. Not the type that is already over-ripe.”
He noted that the yet to ripe mango contains less sugar and is ideal for pregnant women with gestational diabetes or even other patients with diabetes.
“Mangoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For a woman with gestational diabetes, excess consumption can trigger the complications associated with diabetes in pregnancy.
“The complications often result in poor pregnancy outcomes and incidence of diet-related non-communicable diseases in the children during adult life.”
According to him, it is crucial to ensure that such a woman takes a healthy diet rich in protein and carries out regular monitoring of sugar levels.
He noted that nutrition counselling from a nutritionist or dietician coupled with regular physical activity to manage gestational diabetes is required by women with such conditions.
“She should enjoy mango as an occasional treat, but give priority to nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats for a positive pregnancy outcome,” Oloyede added.
Corroborating his position, a Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Olufemi Fasanmade said, “Mangoes should be eaten in moderation by women with gestational diabetes and others say one-to-two mangoes per sitting.”
Fasanmade, who is an expert in the management of diabetes, said though the GI of mango is within the medium level, he warned, “taking a large quantity of mango can lead to weight gain and eventually diabetes.”
The consultant endocrinologist said moderation is the watchword for mango consumption among pregnant women and advised those craving the fruit to eat both the inside and back, as the back is rich in fibre that would reduce the sugar level in the blood by not being digested and absorbed in the stomach.
Strengthening this assertion, a study by Candice Stamper et al, published in the National Library of Medicine and titled, ‘Effects of fresh vs dried mango consumption on satiety and postprandial glucose in healthy adults,’ affirms that consuming mango with its back helps to lower the high glucose content in the mango.
The study indicates that the mechanisms for mango with a medium glycemic index lowering glucose are attributed to its dietary fibre, indicating that fibre is not broken down into glucose by the small intestine like other digestible carbohydrates.
“Instead, it passes the gastrointestinal tract undigested into the colon where it is fermented by gut bacteria. Therefore, it does not lead to prolonged spiked glucose levels compared to foods that contain digestible carbohydrates and that do not contain high amounts of fibre.
“Another potential glucose-lowering mechanism of mango could be due to its abundant bioactive compounds like mangiferin. Mangiferin has been shown to have antidiabetic properties by decreasing glucose levels and insulin resistance by enhancing insulin sensitivity.
“Additionally, mangiferin is an inhibitor of glucosidase which are enzymes responsible for the breakdown of carbohydrates. Therefore, mangiferin could prevent a large amount of carbohydrates from being converted to glucose and absorbed in the intestine,” the study concluded.
Former speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bishop Kennedy Azubuike Njoku has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State.
Rt. Hon. Njoku, who previously represented Osisioma Ngwa North State Constituency in the 7th Assembly, resigned his position as Speaker after the PDP reached a compromise to allow Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, the son of Abia’s former governor, to assume the role.
Addressing supporters at his country home in Mbutu Nta village, Osisioma Local Government Area, Njoku explained that his decision to leave the PDP was made after extensive consultations with constituents and stakeholders across the state.
“I am grateful to the PDP for the opportunities they provided me and wish them well in their future endeavours,” Njoku said.
He, however, called on his supporters to join him in the APC, emphasizing that only those ready to work hard would be rewarded, quoting the adage, “Onye ruo, ya erie” (He who works, eats).
The former lawmaker expressed appreciation for the support he has received from the people of Osisioma Ngwa North, Osisioma Ngwa LGA, and Abia State as a whole. He assured them that his move to the APC was driven by a vision to secure a brighter future for the local government area and the state at large.
Prominent stakeholders, including Comr. Odimegwu Aruru, Chief of Staff to the Bishop Campaign Organization; Comr. Emmanuel Nduagu, former president of the Osisioma Ngwa Youth Congress; and Hon. Austin Uruakpa, former leader of the Osisioma Ngwa Legislative Council, expressed full support for Njoku’s defection.
They urged his supporters to obtain APC membership cards from their respective wards and emphasized that the move signals hope for the masses.
In a vote of thanks, Comr. Oliver Christian, a youth leader from Isiala Osokwa Ward 6, commended Rt. Hon. Njoku’s decision pledged full support and prayed for God’s blessings on him and his supporters.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Davos, Switzerland, to represent Nigeria at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, announced this in a statement issued from the State House, Abuja, on Sunday.
The prestigious event, which attracts global leaders, top business executives, and development partners, will focus on addressing pressing global economic issues and fostering solutions to improve global prosperity.
During the high-profile gathering, Vice President Shettima will participate in a series of workshops, bilateral meetings, and strategic forums.
One of the key highlights of his engagement will be a workshop titled “Roadmap to Co-create Investment Opportunities for Africa’s Frontier Markets”.
Organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in collaboration with the WEF, the session will explore strategies to boost capital inflows into Africa’s markets and advance sustainable development across the continent.
Notably, the Vice President will join discussions on the launch of the Humanitarian and Resilience Investing (HRI) Roadmap for Africa, which aims to build partnerships between public and private sector leaders to mobilize investments in the region’s emerging markets.
Shettima is also set to co-chair a forum on “Turning Digital Trade into a Catalyst for Growth in Africa”, where participants will deliberate on how to leverage the private sector to implement the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, adopted in January 2024.
The forum underscores Africa’s drive to harness digital trade as a key driver for economic growth and regional integration.
As a panelist at the “Global Risks 2025” dialogue, the Vice President will contribute to discussions on geopolitical, technological, and environmental challenges outlined in the latest Global Risks Report.
This event promises to provide insights into strategies for navigating a rapidly evolving global landscape.
In addition to his scheduled events, Shettima will attend a dinner for heads of state, government, and international organizations, alongside distinguished honorees and business leaders.
Accompanying the Vice President to Davos are key government officials, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Aisha Rimi.
Their presence underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fostering partnerships and attracting investments for national and continental development.
The Vice President is expected to return to Abuja after his engagements in Davos.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said it will unveil this year’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) to the public on February 4.
The theme for this year is: The Role of Early Warnings towards a Climate Resilient Aviation Industry for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development.
NiMet predicts and publishes the expected annual pattern of climatic variables, such as rainfall and temperature across Nigeria in the first quarter of each year. This is in pursuance of its mandate of advising the government and the public on all aspects of weather, climate, and water-related matters.
NiMet’s Director General, Prof. Charles Anosike, said: “The Seasonal Climate Prediction highlights vital weather and climate information that may affect socio-economic activities in the following sectors during the year: agriculture, aviation, disaster risk management, health, oil and gas, telecommunication, tourism, transport (water and land), power (hydro and renewable), water resources management, etc.
“The socioeconomic implications of the expected rainfall and temperature patterns for some sectors of the economy are also presented in the publication.”
The forecast information provided in the SCP document includes the onset and cessation dates of the 2025 rainy season; the length of the cropping season; the total amount of rainfall expected in all the 774 local government areas of the country; temperature (January to May) as well as Malaria and Meningitis vigilance forecast.
The SCP document is a national document and the public presentation attracts guests from the public and private sectors, development partners, non-governmental organisations, the diplomatic community, farmers associations, among others.
Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo is expected to perform the presentation of the publication alongside its summary for policymakers and translations in three major Nigerian languages, as well as the State of the Climate in Nigeria.
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