Claim: University of Ghana study shows fermented cassava root reverses Type 2 diabetes
Source: Facebook
Verdict: False
Researched by Gifty Danso
A viral Facebook post shared on January 16, 2026, claims researchers at the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS) have conducted a study that has led to a medication that reverses Type 2 diabetes in 71% of patients within 6 months.
The post shared by Science Simplified, claimed the clinical trial used a bioactive compound from fermented cassava root known as “cassavarin.”
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“The compound, dubbed “cassavarin,” regulates insulin sensitivity and restores pancreatic beta cell function without the need for daily injections or medications,” the post said, adding that trials involving 340 participants showed fasting blood glucose levels dropped from an average of 187 mg/dL to 92 mg/dL, with HbA1c levels normalizing to below 5.7%…
The post spoke about the cost of the medication and its efficacy, comparing it to diabetes medication prices in the United States. “The therapy produced no adverse effects, and 68% of participants completely discontinued insulin within 90 days,” the post said. At the time of filing this report, it had garnered 8,500 likes, 1,300 comments, and 4,200 shares.
According to the post, the research results have now become the subject of a lawsuit, where unidentified pharmaceutical giants have sued over patent infringement.
The post also claimed Ghana is now licensing “cassavarin” production to neighbouring West African nations. GhanaFact observed that the claim had also been shared by other accounts across platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn. In the case of the LinkedIn post, it was later deleted.
Did the University of Ghana Medical School publish any diabetes cure report in January 2026? This report seeks to verify any possible health misinformation.
Fact-check
GhanaFact’s investigation revealed that on Sunday, January 18, 2026, the University of Ghana Medical School issued a public notice dismissing the Type 2 diabetes treatment claim, emphasizing that it had not conducted any such study.
“The University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS) wishes to categorically state that a publication currently circulating on social media claiming that UGMS researchers have developed a cassava-based compound (“cassavarin”) that reverses Type 2 diabetes is entirely false.
“UGMS has not conducted any such study, has not isolated any compound by that name, and has not undertaken clinical trials of the nature described. The claims regarding regulatory approvals, pharmaceutical lawsuits, and licensing are fabricated,” the statement noted.
While the post claimed the cassava-based compound was termed “cassavarin”, GhanaFact did not come across this nomenclature during our verification process and the claim that Ghana was licensing the treatment to other neighbouring countries was unproven.
Verdict
The claim that a University of Ghana study had led to an efficacious medication for Type 2 diabetes is therefore False!
Featured image: Courtesy UG Medical School Facebook page
