Some dietary supplements for weight loss combine African mango extract with green tea extract. Together, these supplements are purported to control the appetite, improve fat burning and help to modulate healthy blood sugar levels.
African mango seed extracts are taken from the Irvingia gabonensis plant and contain high amounts of soluble fiber. This ingredient has been shown to support digestive health, help reduce waist size and exert other anti-obesity effects.
Green tea extracts contain a polyphenol plant chemical called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). EGCG is believed to speed up fat metabolism, which can support weight loss results when combined with diet and exercise.
The combined effects of African mango and green tea supplements may users to lose weight and maintain healthy weight levels. Other health benefits are possible, including natural regulation of blood glucose levels in those with type 2 diabetes mellitus.



- Helps control the appetite
- Increases leptin sensitivity & adiponectin
- Improves blood sugar & cholesterol
What is African Mango?
African mango is a commonly used name for Irvingia gabonensis. I gabonensis is a vining plant that produces edible fruits.
Seeds from these fruits are used to make dietary supplements for weight loss and obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and pain.
The seeds of African mangos are comprised of roughly 67% fat, 15% carbohydrates and 9% protein. They also contain fiber, thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), calcium, iron and other plant nutrients.
It is notable that there have not been any unique phytonutrients identified in I. gabonensis. This means that other plants also contain all known plant constituents isolated from African Mango extract.
Some African mango seed extracts have been shown to suppress appetite and boost weight loss. These effects may be due to high fiber content.
A standardized African mango seed extract called IGOB131 has been used in most clinical trials assessing I. gabonensis for weight reduction.
What are Green Tea Catechins?
Green tea extracts seem to be the best source for beneficial plant compounds called catechins. Catechins are flavan-3-ol plant chemicals. They are natural flavonoid phenols which demonstrate potent antioxidant effects.
In addition to being concentrated with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), green tea also contains high amounts of other catechins including epicatechin gallate and epigallocatechin. Increased consumption of catechins is associated with:
- Resistance of LDL-C (low density lipoprotein cholesterol) to oxidation;
- Increased brachial artery vasodilation;
- Increased plasma antioxidant activity;
- Resistance of fat to oxidation;
Green tea extracts are used for various additional health-enhancing purposes. Some uses include weight loss, improving mental alertness and cognitive functioning – and reducing the risks of developing cardiovascular disease.
African Mango with Green Tea for Weight Loss
Using an African mango supplement with green tea may provide more benefits for weight loss than using I. gabonensis alone.
African mango demonstrates appetite suppressing and metabolism boosting properties. Green tea catechins are believed to add in fat burning effects.
User reviews for African mango with green tea supplements vary. Some report high satisfaction; making claims of significant weight loss, appetite suppression, increased energy, reduced pain and improved blood-glucose levels. Other say they have experienced no benefits whatsoever.
Like all dietary supplements, African mango with green tea products vary in their bioactive ingredient concentrations.
Some green tea extracts contain no EGCG or other catechins at all. Other factors which may affect product efficacy include dosage taken, gender, health history, diet, physical activity level and therapeutic target.
Not all African mango and green tea extract supplements will produce the same effects. Make sure you choose a quality organic product that contains I. gabonensis seed extract and green tea catechins.
African Mango Clinical Proof
Some researchers believe that the health benefits associated with Irvingia gabonensis seed extracts result simply from their fiber content. Increasing dietary fiber is known to:
- Help to achieve and maintain healthy weight levels;
- Increase the weight, size and softness of stool;
- Decrease LDL-C and total cholesterol levels;
- Increase feelings of satiation after eating;
- Naturally improve blood glucose levels;
- Improve bowel movement consistency;
- Maintain digestive system health;
African mango seed extracts may help to activate fat burning genes in the abdomen and help to speed up weight loss.
In a 4-week double blind study, 28 of 40 subjects were given three daily 1.05-gram doses of IGOB131. The other 12 subjects were given placebo doses instead.
Results included a 5.26% body weight decrease in treatment subjects relative to a 1.32% reduction in controls. Treatment group members also experienced significant drops if LDL (low density lipoprotein cholesterol).
These results are similar to results obtained from using fiber supplements, such as glucomannan. Glucomannan is a natural dietary fiber that is cheaper than African mango seed extracts on a per-dose basis.
African Mango with Green Tea Side Effects
African mango seed extracts are considered safe for healthy adult users. The most common adverse effects associated with IGOB131 are headaches, flatulence and difficulties getting to sleep.
Possible side effects of green tea catechins like EGCG include upset stomach, indigestion (heartburn) and nausea. These are rare and pass quickly on their own. Very high doses of green tea extracts are associated with hepatotoxicity (liver poisoning).
Green tea extracts may cause stimulation of the CNS (central nervous system). This can cause insomnia, restlessness, tremors, dizziness and confusion. Green tea extracts are rated as possibly safe for proper oral short-term use.
Green tea extracts can interact with various medicines, herbal supplements and diseases.
If you have been diagnosed with any serious health condition, or use prescription medications and/or herbal supplements, then it is best to seek medical advice before beginning to use these products.
Irvingia gabonensis extracts are rated as possibly safe for proper oral usage in the short term. 1.05-gram doses have been used safely three times daily over 4 weeks. Twice daily doses of 150 mg have been used for 10 weeks without causing adverse effects.
Some health professionals recommend limiting African mango and green tea product usage to 12 weeks before cycling off for at least one month. Always follow product label dosage instructions carefully.
- Nagao T1, Komine Y, Soga S, Meguro S, Hase T, Tanaka Y, Tokimitsu I. Ingestion of a tea rich in catechins leads to a reduction in body fat and malondialdehyde-modified LDL in men. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Jan;81(1):122-9.
- Ngondi, Judith L, Julius E Oben, and Samuel R Minka. "The Effect of Irvingia Gabonensis seeds on Body Weight and Blood Lipids of Obese Subjects in Cameroon." Lipids in Health and Disease 4 (2005): 12. PMC. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.
- Oben, Julius E, Judith L Ngondi, and Kenneth Blum. "Inhibition of Irvingia Gabonensis seed Extract (OB131) on Adipogenesis as Mediated via down Regulation of the PPARgamma and Leptin Genes and up-Regulation of the Adiponectin Gene." Lipids in Health and Disease 7 (2008): 44. PMC. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.
- Sun, Jianghao, and Pei Chen. "UHPLC/HRMS Analysis of African Mango (Irvingia Gabonensis) Seeds, Extract and Related Dietary Supplements."Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 60.35 (2012): 8703–8709. PMC. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.
- Takeuchi H1, Sekine S, Kojima K, Aoyama T. The application of medium-chain fatty acids: edible oil with a suppressing effect on body fat accumulation. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17 Suppl 1:320-3.
- Ross SM1. 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. Holist Nurs Pract. 2011 Jul-Aug;25(4):215-7. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0b013e318222735a.
- Adamson I1, Okafor C, Abu-Bakare A. A supplement of Dikanut (Irvingia gabonesis) improves treatment of type II diabetics. West Afr J Med. 1990 Apr-Jun;9(2):108-15.
- Adamson I, Okafor C, Abu-Bakare A Erythrocyte membrane ATPases in diabetes: effect of dikanut (Irvingia gabonensis). Enzyme. 1986;36(3):212-5.
- Oben JE1, Ngondi JL, Momo CN, Agbor GA, Sobgui CS. The use of a Cissus quadrangularis/Irvingia gabonensis combination in the management of weight loss: a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Lipids Health Dis. 2008 Mar 31;7:12. doi: 10.1186/1476-511X-7-12.
- Nangue, Thierry Joël et al. "Irvingia Gabonensis fat: Nutritional Properties and Effect of Increasing Amounts on the Growth and Lipid Metabolism of Young Rats wistar sp." Lipids in Health and Disease 10 (2011): 43. PMC. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.
- Egras, Amy M. et al. "An Evidence-Based Review of Fat Modifying Supplemental Weight Loss Products." Journal of Obesity 2011 (2011): 297315.PMC. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.
- Onakpoya I1, Davies L, Posadzki P, Ernst E. The efficacy of Irvingia gabonensis supplementation in the management of overweight and obesity: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Diet Suppl. 2013 Mar;10(1):29-38. doi: 10.3109/19390211.2012.760508.
- Ogaji, Ikoni J, Anjan Nan, and Stephen W Hoag. "A Novel Extraction Method and Some Physicochemical Properties of Extractives of Irvingia Gabonensis Seeds." Journal of Young Pharmacists?: JYP 4.2 (2012): 66–72. PMC. Web. 5 Aug. 2015.
- Ngondi, Judith L et al. "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." Lipids in Health and Disease 8 (2009): 7.PMC. Web. 4 Aug 2015.
- Marí M1, Fernández-Checa JC. Sphingolipid signalling and liver diseases. Liver Int. 2007 May;27(4):440-50.
- Hongxiang Hui, 1,3 George Tang,2 and Vay Liang W Go3 Hypoglycemic herbs and their action mechanisms. Published online 2009 Jun 12. doi: 10.1186/1749-8546-4-11
Article last updated on: March 12th, 2018 by Nootriment