Many people buy African mango capsules to help them eat less, lose weight and reduce fat. This diet supplement became popular after it was mention on the Dr. Oz show.
African mango is the common name for Irvingia gabonensis, a tree native to West and Central Africa. The tree produces fruits (called African mangos or bush mangos) that contain a single nut or seed. These seeds are concentrated sources of healthy fats and fiber and are the basis of African mango supplements.
African mango capsules often include other high-fiber plant extracts and are marketed as a weight loss supplement. On its own, African mango is used for weight loss, obesity, hyperlipidemia (high blood lipid levels), diabetes and pain. [1]



- Helps control the appetite
- Increases leptin sensitivity & adiponectin
- Improves blood sugar & cholesterol
Should you Buy African Mango Extract?
Should you buy African mango products to use in a diet plan? A small number of human studies have examined the effect of African mango on cholesterol levels and weight loss. In these studies, overweight individuals were observed to lose weight when taking African mango supplements.
However, other researchers have critiqued these studies for employing substandard methodology and poor reporting. Despite the positive results, more research is needed to rate the effectiveness of I. gabonensis capsules for weight loss or any other therapeutic use.
Will African Mango Capsules Help you Lose Weight?
African mango capsules are commonly used for weight loss and as a safe, natural appetite suppressant.
In studies involving overweight and/or obese human participants, Irvingia gabonensis was observed to improve markers of obesity, including body weight, fat mass, waist circumference, hip circumference, sensitivity to leptin and adiponectin activity. Two of these studies are discussed below.
In one study, Irvingia gabonensis seed extract, combined with a low-fat, calorie-restricted diet, was more effective than the low-fat, calorie-restricted diet alone in helping overweight individuals lose weight.
In the four week study, participants in the treatment group received 1.05 g of I. gabonensis. Participants in both the placebo and treatment groups adhered to the 1,800 kCal/day, low-fat diet.
At the conclusion of the study, the placebo group did not show statistically significant weight loss. The average treatment group member lost 8.8 lbs. [4]
Additional Reported Results
In a 10-week, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 102 overweight individuals were assigned to either the treatment or placebo group. The treatment group received 150 mg doses of IGOB131 (a specific I. gabonensis extract) before lunch and dinner. The placebo group received a placebo preparation at the same time.
Subjects given the African mango pills demonstrated improvements in:
- body weight and fat mass;
- waist circumference and hip circumference;
- total cholesterol levels and plasma LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol);
- blood glucose levels;
- adiponectin and leptin levels. [3]
Effects of Taking African Mango Capsules
African mango supplements are high in fiber, which may, in part, explain how the supplement is able to support weight loss.
In preliminary studies, African mango tablets exhibit a number of properties that are sometimes collectively referred to as anti-obesity effects.
Irvingia gabonensis has been observed to inhibit glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, an enzyme that converts glucose to fat.
It also enhances PPAR-gamma (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-gamma), which affects adipogenesis (the formation of fat cells) and sensitivity to insulin. Further, it increases synthesis of adiponectin, a compound that can increase insulin sensitivity.
African mango has also been observed to affect leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells that helps trigger a sense of hunger. By enhancing sensitivity to leptin and/or decreasing leptin expression, African mango may help maintain the feeling of being “full” (satiated) longer.
Many consumers who buy African mango capsules report that they feel less hungry. They also report feeling full after eating less food than normal.
African Mango Capsules for Detoxification
African mango capsules are sometimes taken to help the so-called ‘detoxification’ process.
In preliminary studies, African mango has been observed to affect a number of markers for liver function. I. gabonensis has been observed to decrease the liver’s distribution of phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol. This may affect the transport of lipids within the liver.
Levels of sphingomyelin, a primary constituent of cell membranes, in the liver have also increased via African mango capsule administration.
Medicinal Uses of African Mango Capsules
In the studies on African mango and weight loss, supplementation was observed to help lower total cholesterol levels.
In a separate study involving individuals with type II diabetes, African mango supplements were observed to lower LDL-C, VLDL-C (very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol), total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was elevated. [7]
In a study involving overweight participants with slightly elevated cholesterol levels, individuals who received a crude I. gabonensis extract had lower total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride levels compared to baseline.
Over the course of the four-week study, participants in the treatment group received 1.05 g of African mango seed extract three times a day. By the end of the study, the treatment group experienced, on average, a 39 % reduction in total cholesterol levels, a 46 % reduction in LDL-C levels and a 45 % reduction of triglycerides compared to baseline. [4]
This supplement is sometimes also recommended for diabetic patients. Diabetes is characterized by insufficient insulin production or insulin insensitivity. In both cases, individuals who suffer from diabetes are at risk of chronically high blood glucose levels.
African mango capsules have been observed to affect blood sugar levels and is sometimes used for diabetes.
In a 1990 study, individuals with type II diabetes were administered African mango seed fiber dissolved in water. Over the course of the study, participants experienced a reduction in fasting blood glucose levels. LDL-C, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were also significantly reduced. HDL-C was elevated. [7]
African mango may affect blood sugar and should only be combined with diabetes medication under the supervision of your doctor.
Buy African Mango Online
High amounts of medium-chain fatty acids and fiber in Irvingia gabonensis may help improve certain markers associated with obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus.
People buy African mango capsules to help them achieve a healthy weight, detoxify their bodies, improve lipid profiles and lower blood glucose levels.
You can purchase this supplement in single-ingredient formulations or as part of a complex designed to promote fat loss. Other ingredients found in African mango pills include caffeine, green tea extract, chromium picolinate, raspberry ketones, garcinia cambogia or white kidney bean extract.
Some reports online suggest that African mango may not be the most cost-effective weight loss supplement for sale online. The bioactive compounds in this product are similar to those in others such as glucomannan, but the cost per serving is higher.
Before deciding whether to buy African mango diet pills, it is important to consider the fact that this supplement will not promote weight loss on its own. Best results will be achieved when using this supplement as part of a comprehensive exercise and diet regimen.
Irvingia gabonensis may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications. Speak with your doctor before you buy African mango capsules to make sure the supplement is right for you.
- Irvingia gabonensis: Professional Monograph. Natural Medicines Therapeutic Research. Reviewed 2013 May 3, Updated 2015 Feb 15.
- Onakpoya I, 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.
- Ngondi JL 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 Health Dis. 2009; 8: 7.
- Ngondi JL, Oben JE, Minka SR. The Effect of Irvingia Gabonensis seeds on Body Weight and Blood Lipids of Obese Subjects in Cameroon. Lipids Health Dis. 2005; 4: 12
- Hui H, Tang G, Liang V, Go W. Hypoglycemic herbs and their action mechanisms. Chin Med. 2009; 4: 11.
- Oben JE, Ngondi JL, Blum K. 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.
- Adamson I, 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.
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment