Updated 4/8/24. I've been getting a lot of questions about African Mango, also called Irvingia gabonensis and whether this fruit can help people lose weight. African mango is similar to the mango's you've probably eaten at some point. Undoubtedly, you've seen many websites touting this fruit for obesity and weight loss. Few websites offer proof, though. In this review, let's look at the clinical studies on African mango. African Mango is sometimes called Bush Mango or Wild Mango. All of these refer to its scientific name, Irvingia gabonensis. The extract of African mango that has been used in weight loss research is called IGOB131. This name is sometimes shortened to simply OB131.
African Mango Weight Loss Research
Does African Mango help people lose weight? There is indeed research on Irvingia gabonensis. More precisely, there is research on an extract from the seeds of the African mango tree. The extract from the seeds is dubbed IGOB131. I am telling you this because if you try Irvingia gabonensis weight loss supplements, this is the ingredient that the research was conducted on.
Other African mango extracts may not have the same effect.
Study
In one 4-week study, 40 overweight people were given either 3.15 grams (3500 mg) of Irvingia gabonensis or a comparable amount of oat bran 30 minutes before meals, in conjunction with a low-fat diet. People ate about 1800 calories a day.
Results indicated that those receiving Irvingia gabonensis lost about 5.6% of body weight. Those taking the placebo lost about 1% of body weight. Body fat did not change significantly in either group.
Problem. Body fat was measured using bioelectric impedance analysis. This method, while quick and easy to administer, is less accurate than other means like hydrostatic weighing, Bod Pod etc.
Systolic blood pressure (the top number) was reduced by about 4 points. This drop in systolic blood pressure could be the result of weight loss as opposed to a direct effect of Irvingia gabonensis itself.
Study
In a 10-week study, 102 healthy overweight men and women were followed for 10 weeks. People were given either a placebo or 350 mg of Irvingia gabonensis. The supplement was supplied by Gateway Health Alliances Inc (Fairfield CA), a company that owns a US patent on IGOB131
Results showed that those receiving the Irvingia gabonensis extract had lower body weight, body fat, and waist circumference than those taking the placebo. Specifically, those taking IGOB131 extract lost 28 pounds vs. about 1 pound for those getting the placebo. Body fat was determined using bioelectric impedance analysis. This is a HUGE difference and honestly, I'm skeptical of it.
LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), total cholesterol, blood glucose, and C reactive protein were also lower in those who received the Irvingia gabonensis extract.
The weight loss observed in the African Mango group could account for the the decreases in cholesterol, blood glucose and C reactive protein. These things do change when people lose weight. The soluble fiber in the extract may also had an effect on cholesterol levels.
Study
Another study noted that mouse cells exposed to IGOB131 had increased fat cell production of adiponectin. Adiponectin has anti-inflammatory properties and that high levels of adiponectin appear to be associated with a lower risk of heart disease. This study also noted that IGOB131 inhibited fat cell development as well.
Study
In a review of previous research, the authors noted that studies published on African mango all had problems with how they were conducted. Because of this, the authors state that Irvingia gabonensis “cannot be recommended as a weight loss aid. Future research in this area should be more rigorous and better reported.”
Study
At least one group of researchers has reported that a combination of African mango and another supplement, Cissus quadrangularis, produces greater weight loss than African mango alone. This study involved 72 overweight men and women who took either the supplement combination or a placebo for 10 weeks. Those taking the blend of ingredients used 250 mg of both supplements.
African Mango And Leptin
The 10-week study published in 2009 also noted that the IGOB131 extract reduced levels of leptin. Leptin is a hormone made inside fat cells that play a role in appetite. Basically, this is what happens:
- When leptin levels rise, we stop eating
- When leptin levels fall, we get hungry
That's the simple answer. The amount of leptin we have is dependent on how much body fat we have. The more body fat, the higher the leptin levels. One problem, however, is that many overweight people (who make a lot of leptin) are insensitive to the leptin and it doesn't work to stop them from eating. In other words, they are leptin-resistant.
Irvingia gabonensis lowered leptin levels; some take this to mean it helps weight loss. But remember that as leptin levels decrease, we get hungry. I'm saying this because the decrease in leptin observed in the 10-week 2009 study appears to be a result of IGOB131 reducing fat cell growth and differentiation. In other words, as fat cell growth slows, leptin levels might also fall.
If the African mango extract does reduce leptin levels, would a continued drop in leptin cause a rebound hunger in people, causing them to eat more? I don't know? The longest study so far has only lasted 10 weeks. Leptin is not the only player in the game when it comes to obesity. If Irvingia gabonensis has any real effect on combating weight loss, its effects on leptin are probably not the answer.
Is African Mango Safe?
The company that holds the US patent on the African Mango extract IGOB131 has published a safety study in lab rats showing that the ingredient is up to 2500 mg/kg for up to 90 days of use. The ingredient caused no genetic mutations. That is good.
How much is that in people? To convert the lab rat dose to the people dosage, divide the rat dose by 6.2. If we do this, we get 2500 /6.2 = 403 mg per kilogram of body weight.
Remember there are 2.2 kg in a pound, so divide your body weight (in pounds) by 2.2 and multiply that by 403 to find the maximum safe amount in you. Use less than this to be even more conservative.
African Mango Side Effects
For healthy people, African mango food and supplements are probably safe. Here are some things to consider if you are not “healthy.” This list is not complete:
- Begin by taking less than recommended for at least the first week.
- Speak to your doctor first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Don't take if you are allergic to mangos.
- Common side effects reported include GI problems, headache, dry mouth, and sleep problems.
- Stop taking African mango supplements at least 2 weeks before having surgery.
- In theory, this supplement may lower blood sugar levels
- Speak to your doctor if you have any health problems.
At least one report exists of kidney failure after taking African mango supplements. This individual had high blood pressure and was taking medications. The person took 1000 mg of African mango daily for a couple of months.
Things To Think About
1. It is important to remember that all of the positive research on African mango (Irvingia gabonensis) has used a specific extract called IGOB131. Consumers should look for the amount of IGOB131 on supplement labels. Much of the research is sponsored by a company that owns the patent on IGOB131.
2. Obtaining good results is probably better if the African mango is combined with a low-fat / low-calorie diet.
3. Don't be swayed by the amount of Irvingia gabonensis a supplement contains. Look instead for how much of the IGOB131 extract the product has. This is what the research uses.
4. Exercise likely helps any effect the supplement has.
5. Weight loss could account for the observed changes in total cholesterol, LDL, and CRP.
Does African Mango Work?
The preliminary research is intriguing, although most studies are small and about 3 months. If Irvingia gabonensis extracts are going to work, it will probably take at least four weeks before people notice a decrease in weight.
Here's African Mango on Amazon