African Mango
African mango supplements are derived from the seeds of the African mango fruit that grows on the Irvingia gabonensis tree. They are reported to cause weight loss but there is currently only low-quality evidence to support this claim.
African Mango is most often used for
Last Updated:October 13, 2024
African mango, or bush mango, is an edible fruit from the Irvingia gabonensis tree native to tropical Africa and is known for its sweet and juicy flavor and high vitamin C content. Its seeds, which are rich in fatty acids and nutrients, can be consumed in various forms and are marketed as dietary supplements, though it is distinct from the mango fruit commonly found in U.S. grocery stores.
African mango supplements are believed to aid in weight loss and improve metabolic syndrome by affecting cholesterol and blood glucose levels, but systematic reviews indicate that the evidence is biased and methodologically flawed. Additionally, extracts from Irvingia gabonensis may reduce drug-induced organ toxicity in rodents, but this effect needs further investigation in humans.
Some randomized controlled trials have reported side effects like headaches, sleep problems, and flatulence in individuals who were taking African mango supplements, but these symptoms also occurred in placebo groups, which suggests that they may not be directly caused by the supplements. Additionally, there was one case of renal failure linked to African mango in a person with chronic kidney disease, but more research is needed to fully assess the safety of these supplements in humans.
African mango extracts may reduce cell growth and alter leptin expression in fat cells, potentially aiding weight loss, and a specific extract called terminalin might enhance glucose uptake in muscle cells. However, these effects are based on preliminary cell culture studies, and further high-quality research is needed to confirm their effect on weight loss and blood glucose in humans.
- African Wild Mango
- African Mango Extract
- African Bush Mango
- Dika Nut
- Irvingia Gabonensis
Supplemental dosages of irvingia gabonensis are quite variable, being anywhere between 150-3,200mg taken daily alongside meals. The optimal or effective dose is not currently known, but since the dietary fiber may be the active ingredient then supplementing in the higher end of the aforementioned range may be prudent.
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