African Mango
EVIDENCE: WEAKAlso sold as: Irvingia gabonensis, bush mango, dika nut, IGOB131
African mango is a West African fruit whose seed extract was tested for weight loss. A few small trials reported large effects at 300 mg a day, but an independent review found the studies too weak to trust.
Compiled by iSupplementReviews editorial team ·Researched 2026-10-16 · 3 sources
- Type
- Botanical seed extract
- Studied dose
- 150 mg twice daily (IGOB131 seed extract)
- Best form
- seed extract; the trials used a branded extract called IGOB131
- Our rating
- WEAK — Mostly small, animal, or traditional evidence
What is African mango?
African mango (Irvingia gabonensis) is a West African tree whose seed is eaten as food and sold as a weight-loss extract. It is not related to the common mango.
Other names and forms
Bush mango, dika nut, ogbono. Most research used IGOB131, a branded seed extract.
Where does African mango come from?
Forests of Cameroon, Nigeria and Gabon. The seeds are ground into a soup thickener in local cooking.
How does African mango work in the body?
The seed is rich in soluble fiber, which may slow digestion. Lab work suggested effects on fat-cell signaling. None of these mechanisms has been confirmed in people.
What is African mango claimed to do?
Burn fat, cut appetite, lower cholesterol and steady blood sugar.
What does the research show?
| Claim | Evidence | Dose studied | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight loss | Few small trials, criticized | 300 mg/day | Unreliable |
| Cholesterol and glucose | Same small trials | 300 mg/day | Unreliable |
The headline trial
A 2009 trial reported unusually large weight loss. Ngondi et al. gave 102 overweight adults in Cameroon 150 mg of IGOB131 twice a day or placebo for 10 weeks and reported about 12.8 kg of weight loss versus under 1 kg on placebo, plus better glucose and cholesterol.
The independent review
A systematic review judged those results unreliable. Onakpoya et al. (2013) found only a few small, short trials with poor reporting and said the effect on weight is uncertain until better trials exist.
What dose was studied?
| Goal | Dose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Weight and metabolic markers | 150 mg extract twice daily | 4–10 weeks |
Side effects
Headache, sleep difficulty and gas in short trials.
Drug interactions
- Diabetes medicines: theoretical additive effect on glucose (minor).
Who should not take African mango?
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and anyone with a medical condition who hasn’t checked with a clinician.
What the authorities say
No health authority recognizes African mango as an effective weight-loss aid. Weight-loss supplements as a group are a common source of adverse-event reports (Pittler et al., 2005).
What to know about African mango
African mango’s weight-loss evidence comes from a few small trials that an independent review called unreliable. Studied amounts were 300 mg a day of a specific seed extract.
Frequently asked questions about African Mango
Does African mango cause weight loss?
The evidence is unreliable. A 2009 trial reported about 12 kg lost over 10 weeks at 300 mg a day, but a systematic review found the trials small, short and poorly reported, and said the effect is unproven.
Is African mango the same as regular mango?
No. It is a different tree (Irvingia gabonensis). Supplements use extract from its seed, not the fruit flesh.
Is African mango safe?
Short trials reported mild side effects like headache and sleep problems. Long-term safety hasn't been studied.
References
- [1]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 (Lipids Health Dis, 2009)
- [2]Onakpoya I et al. — The efficacy of Irvingia gabonensis supplementation in the management of overweight and obesity: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (J Diet Suppl, 2013)
- [3]Pittler MH et al. — Adverse events of herbal food supplements for body weight reduction: systematic review (Obes Rev, 2005)
Products we reviewed containing African Mango
Based on recorded labels or seller-described formulas. Inclusion does not establish a match to the strains, preparations or amounts studied here; check each review's disclosure limits.