Virginia, Sept. 26 -- Mangoes, often dismissed as too sugary, may hold hidden benefits for those at risk of diabetes.

A George Mason University study found that individuals who ate mangoes daily showed better blood sugar control and less body fat than those who consumed a lower-sugar snack.

The results suggest that it's not just sugar levels, but how the sugar is packaged in whole foods, that matters.

Tropical fruits contain anywhere between 10-50 grams of sugar, with mangoes on the high end of the spectrum, making them seem a poor snack choice based on that alone.

However, research by clinical nutrition researcher Raedeh Basiri suggests that mangoes, despite containing more sugar than many low-sugar snacks, may offer protective benef...