Serum glucose and insulin response to mango and papaya in type 2 diabetic subjects

To rank Bangladeshi Mango and Papaya in terms of their Glycemic Index (GI) and Insulinemic Index (II), which are useful measures of glucose and insulin responses to a dietary component, thirteen type 2 diabetic subjects consumed, under a cross-over design, equi-carbohydrate amounts of mango (250 g), papaya (602 g) and white bread (the reference food, 63 g). Blood sample was drawn 5 times between 0h and 3h. Serum C-peptide was measured to evaluate Insulinemic status. Mango and Papaya showed higher serum glucose responses compared to that of bread. The similar glycemic responses of Papaya and Mango were reflected in their GI values. Papaya showed higher insulin response compared to both Mango and Bread (p < 0.001). Papaya also showed significantly higher C-peptide–glucose ratio in comparison to that of Mango and Bread. The data suggest that equi-carbohydrate amount of Papaya and Mango produce higher glycemic response as compared to bread, but the two fruits are comparable regarding this property. The higher insulin response of papaya needs to be considered in case of therapeutic management of diabetic patients and in assessing the risk of atherogenesis due to hyperinsulinemia.