Medically CitedOverview
If you’re a fruit lover, you may enjoy mango’s sweet, delicious flavor, but did you know that there is more than one species? The Irvingia gabonensis, or African mango, is distinct from the Mangifera Indica you find in most supermarkets, and it has become wildly popular in supplement form due to its potential weight loss and other health benefits.
According to the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry,
Dietary supplements based on an extract from Irvingia gabonensis seeds are one of the popular herbal weight loss dietary supplements in the U.S. market.
Is African mango the magical ingredient that could help you reach your weight loss goals, and what other health advantages does it have to offer? In this article, we explore the properties and benefits of this nutritious fruit to help you decide if it’s the best natural solution for you.
What is African Mango?
African mango is the sweet, delectable fruit from the Irvingia Gabonensis tree native to West Africa, sometimes called African bush mango or dika nut. The peel, pulp, and seeds contain carotenoid antioxidants, phenolic compounds, plant protein, fiber, iron, calcium, and magnesium, and are especially high in vitamin C.
The Irvingia Gabonensis tree has long been used in traditional medicine, and this fruit is a primary ingredient in several popular dishes in parts of Africa. It is included in many weight loss supplements because it helps stimulate the metabolism to help promote fat-burning, and it is rich in fiber which curbs hunger and cravings.
This tropical fruit also offers other potential health benefits, like helping to enhance digestion, balance blood sugar, boost energy, and lower cholesterol. Let’s delve into each of the African mango extract benefits in detail and see what the research has to say.
Does African Mango Promote Weight Loss?
African mango is known for its potential weight loss benefits, and there is some evidence that it blocks fat cell growth. As we explained in our African Mango Core review, it could also reduce blood fat levels and stimulate the metabolism to help speed up fat burning.
African mango also helps increase levels of the hunger hormone leptin to limit appetite, and it is rich in soluble fiber which slows the digestive process. This keeps you feeling full to limit calorie intake, and fiber also helps boost blood sugar and decrease cravings.
An 8-week study of overweight or obese adults published in Lipids in Health and Disease concluded that supplementation of 150 mg of African mango twice daily positively impacted body weight and other metabolic parameters.
In addition, a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition concluded that there is evidence for the African mango seed weight loss and metabolic health benefits.
Additional Health Benefits of African Mango
Rich in a wealth of nutrients and antioxidants, this tropical fruit offers other advantages to health and well-being. These are some of the additional African mango benefits:
Helps Lower Blood Sugar
Rich in soluble fiber, as we said, African mango slows down the digestive process to regulate blood sugar levels. It also contains multiple antioxidants that lower oxidative stress in the body, repairing cellular damage to organs like the kidneys and liver to support metabolic health.
A phytochemical study published in Biomolecules concluded that bioactive agents in African mango help stimulate glucose uptake, and may be an effective ingredient for the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Helps Lower Cholesterol
Some evidence suggests that the antioxidants and soluble fiber in African mango help lower cholesterol levels, in addition to its weight loss and other metabolic health benefits. Due to the cholesterol-lowering and weight-loss properties of this fruit, it could help support heart health.
A research review published in the Journal of Nutritional Therapeutics found support for the benefits of African mango in promoting weight and fat loss and also concluded that it improves total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and low-density lipoprotein.
Supports Healthy Digestion
The soluble fiber in African mango acts as a prebiotic, feeding healthy probiotic gut bacteria so it can proliferate, kill harmful microbes, and balance the gut microbiome.
The fiber cleanses the colon of waste and toxins, helping to promote regular bowel movements and ease issues like gas, bloating, and constipation. A review published in Molecules explored the anti-inflammatory and intestinal microbial benefits of mango fruit.
Helps Boost Energy
While there is little research exploring the issue, many say the African mango has incredible energy-boosting properties. This is not surprising considering its wealth of nutrients that help boost vitality, particularly the fiber that balances blood sugar levels. In addition, this fruit helps speed up the burning of natural fat stores, helping to provide sustained daily energy.
Sources and Dosages
You are unlikely to find real African mango fruit in the U.S., although it may be for sale in the odd specialty fruit shop or from an online exporter. It is available as a supplement in capsule, liquid, and powder form, and you can find African mango for weight loss as an ingredient in many popular natural supplements like African Mango Plus.
There is no set recommended African mango dosage, and the amount used in studies varies from 300 mg to 3 grams daily. The ideal dose depends on factors like age, health condition, or metabolism, so it’s best to check with a healthcare practitioner.
While many experts recommend taking African mango supplements half an hour before breakfast and lunch, others say it’s best taken with food to prevent stomach upset. Follow the directions on the label, and consult with a healthcare practitioner as to suitability and dosage.
Safety and Side Effects
This fruit is safe for most individuals unless you have a specific allergy to one of the components. Some users may experience mild African mango side effects like constipation, headaches, or gas, and sleep difficulties may occur if you take it at night.
It could also cause a dry mouth, so users should stay hydrated during the day when taking an African mango supplement or eating a lot of this fruit.
Children and individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or immunocompromised should avoid consuming a supplement with African mango. Before taking any new supplement it’s important to consult a healthcare practitioner for approval.
FAQs About African Mango
Q: What does African mango do for the body?
A: African mango has support for its potential appetite-curbing and weight management properties, and it also helps boost energy, balance blood sugar, lower cholesterol and triglycerides, and enhance digestion.
Q: What is the difference between mango and African mango?
A: The African mango is from the Irvingia Gabonensis tree native to West Africa, and it is a distinct species from the typical Mangifera Indica mango fruit that you can find in most grocery stores around the world.
Q: What is the best time to eat African mango for weight loss?
A: The best time to eat African mango for weight loss or supplements with this ingredient is 30 minutes before your morning and afternoon meal to experience the energy, metabolism-boosting, and nutrient benefits during the day. As this fruit may increase energy levels, it’s best to avoid taking it at night to prevent disruptions to sleep.
Q: Where can I buy African mango?
A: This fruit is not easy to find in North America, although you may find it in some specialty food or fruit shops or from exporters online. African mango supplements with this ingredient extract are available online and in some stores in capsule, liquid, and powder form.
Q: Who should take an African mango supplement?
A: The most popular and best African mango supplement benefit is its ability to help curb appetite and support weight management, and many people take them for this purpose. However, this fruit also helps balance blood sugar, lower cholesterol, boost energy, and support digestive health.
Conclusion
The sweet fruit of the Irvingia Gabonensis tree is known for its ability to help suppress hunger, curb cravings, and boost fat-burning for weight loss, and this nutrient and antioxidant-packed ingredient also benefits metabolic health, digestion, energy, and more.
While you won’t likely find it in your local grocery store, African mango supplements are available in capsule, liquid, or powder form, or you can try a natural weight loss or health product that includes it as an ingredient. Before taking a supplement, consult with a healthcare practitioner regarding suitability and dosage.
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We review published medical research in respected scientific journals to arrive at our conclusions about a product or health topic. This ensures the highest standard of scientific accuracy.
[2] Igob131, A Novel Seed Extract of the West African Plant Irvingia Gabonensis, Significantly Reduces Body Weight and Improves Metabolic Parameters in Overweight Humans in a Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Investigation: https://lipidworld.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1476-511X-8-7
[3] The Effects of Irvingia Gabonensis Seed Extract Supplementation on Anthropometric and Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07315724.2019.1691956#abstract
[4] Terminalin from African Mango (Irvingia gabonensis) Stimulates Glucose Uptake through Inhibition of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8869479/
[5] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290456458_African_Mango_Irvingia_gabonensis_Extract_for_Weight_Loss_A_Systematic_Review
[6] Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Polyphenols: Anti-Inflammatory Intestinal Microbial Health Benefits, and Associated Mechanisms of Actions: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8124428/
[7] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286855374_Effect_of_African_Mango_Irvingia_gabonesis_IGOB_131TM_Extract_on_Glucose_Regulation_in_STZ-Induced_Diabetes
[8] African Mango (Igob131): A Proprietary Seed Extract of Irvingia Gabonensis is Found to Be Effective in Reducing Body Weight and Improving Metabolic Parameters in Overweight Humans: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21697664/
[9] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378382923_Irvingia_gabonensis_baill_African_Mango_A_comprehensive_review_of_its_ethnopharmacological_significance_unveiling_its_long-standing_history_and_therapeutic_potential
[10] Effects of Irvingia gabonensis Extract on Metabolism, Antioxidants, Adipocytokines, Telomere Length, and Aerobic Capacity in Overweight/Obese Individuals: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/21/4646
[11] https://www.jscimedcentral.com/jounal-article-info/Annals-of-Public-Health-and-Research/Positive-Effect-of-Irvingia-Gabonensis-on-Health-and-Weight-Loss-11774
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