Finally taking advantage of a rather useful technology in iOS 7, Google has released version 3.0 of its Gmail for iOS app with full support for background refresh allowing messages to download within the app as the push notification arrives.
Previously, users would receive the banner and badge that a new message had arrived, but unless the app had been opened very recently, the content would not download until the message was explicitly opened by the user.
Now content will already be loaded as the push notification arrives. Google notes that users will need to be sure that at least a badge, banner, or alert is enabled, but for most users badges and banners should be turned on by default. Google also notes that some users may need to sign back in after the app updates.
Gmail for iOS is available for free on the App Store.