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Irvingia gabonensis is a fruit-bearing tree indigenous to the African continent. It is also known as African mango, bush mango, ogbono and/or dika.
Its fruit is high in healthy fats, and there is also high levels of protein content in the nuts it produces.
I. gabonensis is used by as a dietary supplement because it is widely believed to promote fat metabolism and weight loss. Research trials show that supplementing with Irvingia gabonensis in obese individuals can increase weight loss resulted and improve cardiovascular health.
Benefits attributed to this natural supplement include:
- Reducing appetite and controlling hunger cravings;
- Improving leptin sensitivity – the “satiety hormone”;
- Lowering “bad” LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and total cholesterol levels;
- Elevating “good” HDL cholesterol levels;
- Decreasing waist circumference;
- Decreasing hip circumference;
- Decreasing body fat composition;
- Lowering systolic blood pressure;
- Enhancing the weight loss effects of Cissus quadrangularis;
Weight Loss
Appetite
Carb Blocker- Helps control the appetite
- Increases leptin sensitivity & adiponectin
- Improves blood sugar & cholesterol
Top African Mango Products* ❯Irvingia Gabonensis Botanical Characteristics
Irvingia gabonensis grows best in wet tropical climatic zones, including semi-deciduous forests, jungles and gallery forests.
It thrives in altitudes ranging between 600 and 1500 feet and it requires annual rainfall between 1225 and 1525 mm yearly.
This plant prefers temperatures ranging from 21° to 37° C. Soil pH levels need to be consistently ranging between 4.6 and 7.4 for this tree to survive.
It is a full-sun plant, but can still thrive in slightly shaded areas. Well-draining soil at least 5 feet deep is needed to ensure successful propagation.
Irvingia gabonensis grows straight upward and reaches heights over 130 feet. It develops diametrically to a dimension of up to 40 inches. At about ten feet, its buttresses stop developing. It grows a smooth/scaly outer bark that is yellow with grey tints.
Its elliptical leaves are asymmetrically rounded, taper to points and are dark green with a glossy finish on the top sides. Its flowers are green-white-yellowish and display in loose, small panicles. The stones contain a single seed per stone.
African mango plants can be pollinated by several related species including Diptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. It produces flowers between March and June each year – and generates fruits between April and July, and again between September and October.
Certain vertebrates including gorillas and elephants help to disperse the seeds and continue natural propagation. As these animals continue to be degraded in number, I. gabonensis’s successful propagation becomes more and more dependent on human cultivation.
Irvingia Gabonensis Effects
Irvingia Gabonensis is primarily used today as a weight loss supplement. African mango extract is a popular component of several diet pills and is used as a natural appetite suppressant. The effects of this extract seem to be most prominent among obese individuals.
Irvingia gabonensis is known to be an emulsifier of foodstuffs, and to add viscosity to liquids. Similarly, in the human body, its high fiber content may affect weight management variables including digestion efficiency and satiation perception.
In a recent clinical study, administration of 150 mg doses of Irvingia gabonensis over ten weeks was associated with an 87% increase in subjects’ capacities to control their appetites. Also, treatment subjects demonstrated a 6.3% reduction in body fat mass.
Additionally, reductions in waist circumferences and a 389 calorie dietary deficit were noted. This means trial subjects naturally ate 389 calories fewer than they burned, resulting in a caloric deficit needed to achieve weight loss.
Irvingia gabonensis seems to be effective at enhancing the weight loss effects of Cissus quadrangularis. Cissus is a supplement that has been noted to reduce the absorption of some fats and carbohydrates into the bloodstream following ingestion.
In one study, 150 mg of I. gabonensis was stacked with C. quadrangularis supplements. After ten weeks, Cissus-only weight loss was quantified at 14.63%. Cissus/Irvingia stacking supplementation resulted in 20.65% weight reductions.
Although I. gabonensis seems to be effective at reducing body fat, larger scale clinical trials need to be conducted to verify this information. Current data in support of these actions is based on research with substandard methodological quality – or it has been confounded by the conjunctive use of other botanical agents; most notably Cissus quadrangularis.
Benefits for Managing Weight, Blood Sugar and Cholesterol
Irvingia supplementation exhibits other benefits that can improve weight management, cholesterol levels and the regulation of blood sugar.
All of these factors can reduce the risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome.
In human trials, Irvingia gabonensis supplementation has resulted in the suppression of PPAR-gamma, which is known to the decrease proliferation of fat cells, and enhance the uptake of triglycerides. It has also been shown to lower systolic blood pressure by inducing a vasodilation effect.
In one placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial, 40 obese subjects were selected at random via telephone interviews. Irvingia gabonensis supplementation in the treatment group resulted in significant improvements in several cardiovascular disease risk factors.
After four weeks of I. gabonensis usage, there was a 39.2% decrease in total cholesterol, a 45.9% decrease in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, a 44.9% decrease in triglycerides and a 46.9% increase in HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
In a placebo-based 10-week study, treatment group participants received three daily 150 mg doses of I. gabonensis. Combined treatment group blood-sugar levels decreased by 22.5%. In comparison, placebo group subjects experienced blood-glucose level decreases of only 5.3%.
In a separate study, 3.15-gram daily doses of I. gabonensis for one month resulted in a 32.36% reduction in blood-glucose levels. Research continues to examine the effects of I. gabonensis on glucose absorption, insulin sensitivity and other factors associated with Diabetes.
Additional Use of Irvingia Gabonensis
Humans have long harvested and prepared Irvingia gabonensis for a variety of dietary and medicinal uses, including:
- Processing into jellies, jams, juices and wines;
- Making black clothing dye;
- Eating seeds, roasted or raw;
- Pressing the seeds for oil making;
- Further processing the oil to make cosmetics, soaps and medicines;
- Providing food for livestock;
- Using as a thickening agent for stews and soups;
- Making bread;
- Using as a purgative (laxative) agent;
- Treating liver and gastrointestinal conditions;
- Treating hernias;
- Treating urethral discharge;
- Using as a topical agent for treating wounds and sores;
Nutritional Value of Irvingia Gabonensis
For every 100g serving of the edible parts of I. gabonensis, there are:
- 67 grams of fat;
- 15 grams of carbohydrates;
- 8.5 grams of protein;
- 4 grams of water;
- 120 milligrams of calcium;
- 2.4 milligrams of iron;
- Trace amounts of B vitamins including thiamine, niacin and riboflavin;
Irvingia Gabonensis Side Effects and Safety
Irvingia gabonensis is regarded as safe for human consumption. Studies have found it safe for daily continuous use up to 4 weeks and a proprietary extract IGOB131 has been found safe for up to 10 weeks. Dosages fall anywhere from 150-3,000mg per day, but most studies have used an amount of 150mg taken twice a day, 30 minutes before meals.
Few side effects are reported and they generally consist of transient flatulence, headaches, and sleep problems. Because of its propensity to lower blood-glucose levels, it is not recommended for supplementation by those who are pregnant, mothers nursing, anyone with diabetes and/or anyone with an upcoming surgery scheduled.
Always talk with your doctor before beginning Irvingia gabonensis supplementation.
Article last updated on: November 22nd, 2017 by Nootriment