What is African Mango (Irvingia gabonensis)? African mango extract comes from the fruit of the Irvingia gabonensis tree, also known as African mango, wild mango, bush mango, andok, and odika. Despite its name, it’s not related to the common mango. The Irvingia gabonensis tree is native to the northern parts of Angola and south-western Uganda. The trees grow in tropical climates, both wet and dry. It prefers canopied jungles, forests that form along rivers, and semi-deciduous forests. African mango features in Nigerian and Cameroonian cuisine as fruit fresh, jam, jellies, juice, sauces, and wine. Traditional remedies used the African mango’s pulp, leaves, seeds, and bark to form salves for wounds and the related pain. Potential Benefits of African Mango Extract African mango extract comes from the seed of the Irvingia gabonensis fruit, a nutritious source of fiber and fatty acids. A 3.5 oz serving of African mango fruit is only 86 calories but provides 62% of the necessary daily value of vitamin C. The African mango fruit is also an abundant source of minerals, including iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, and sodium. It’s also rich in carotenoids, fat-soluble compounds that provide the pigment to many yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids are essential for eye health, but they’re also powerful antioxidants. African mango also contains high levels of phenolic compounds, including ellagic acid, flavanols, and tannins. These compounds convey antioxidant benefits by fighting free radicals. When free radicals outweigh antioxidants, they cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and contribute to numerous adverse health conditions African Mango and Cissus Quadrangularis African mango extract’s fat-burning properties outperformed cissus quadrangularis in one study comparing the two supplements. However, the combination of African mango extract and cissus quadrangularis showed synergistic potential for weight loss. There is much interest in African mango extract’s potential as a fat-burning agent. Research shows that African mango extract may expedite weight loss by inhibiting the proliferation of fat cells. One small study noted that participants taking African mango extract over a ten-week period lost an average of 28 pounds, 6.3% body fat, and 6.4 inches from their waistlines. Those same individuals saw improvements in their LDL cholesterol and fasting blood glucose levels. Other studies have reported similar findings when comparing African mango’s weight loss potential against placebos and other supplements. Potential African Mango Side Effects Human and animal trials alike reported no significant adverse effects of taking African mango supplements. Some individuals may experience headaches, gas, or sleep disruptions. Consult with a physician before starting any new supplements to avoid any adverse reactions with other medications or medical conditions. References https://web.archive.org/web/20191013121418/http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/dataSheet%3Fid%3D6958 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22386809/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2651880/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4484011/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31366215/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344216629_Production_and_Quality_Evaluation_of_Flavoured_Yoghurt_from_Graded_Levels_of_Sweet_Variety_of_African_Bush_Mango_Ugiri_Irvingia_gabonensis_Juice_and_Pulp https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21697664/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31366215/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2931392/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31366215/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23633245/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2651880/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7603620/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2330043/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2651880/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29336718/ http://www.ifrj.upm.edu.my/22%20(01)%202015/(37).pdf
