The African Mango was a staple among many tribes in Cameroon and Nigeria, and now it is used all over the world for its health benefits, aiding in weight loss in particular. It’s extremely popular among dieticians and weight loss enthusiasts alike for its weight loss and fat burning effects.
But the benefits of African mango doesn’t stop with its fruit — extracts of various parts of this tree also have antioxidant properties, the ability to lower cholesterol levels and reduce blood pressure.
Botanical Name and Family of African Mango
The botanical name of African mango is Irvingia gabonensis. It is a part of the Irvingiaceae family of flowering plants and is referred to as Bread tree, Wild Mango and Dika nut.
What Is African Mango?
African mango is the fruit of a tree that is native to the rainforests of western Africa. The trees can grow pretty tall, up to 40 meters, and have round greenish fruits that have a bright-orange inside.
The pulp of the mango fruit is the part that is consumed, but the seeds are more valued as they are used in preparing medicines. It has gained more popularity in recent times due to the claims of it being an effective weight loss aid.
Active Ingredients Found in African Mango
African mango is rich in protein; vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin and thiamine; fatty acids such as stearic acid, oleic acid and lauric acid; amino acids such as valine, tryptophan and phenylalanine; and compounds such as alpha curcumene, zingiberene and esters of cinnamic acid.
Health Benefits of African Mango
Researchers have found evidence of weight loss induced by consumption of African mango. In a 10-week study of 120 overweight volunteers, consuming African mango with no exercise significantly reduced body fat by 6.3 percent and waistline circumference by 16.2 percent.
Another study of 72 patients has found that after 10 weeks of taking a mixture of African mango and Cissus quadrangularis (a plant used for bone health) body fat dramatically decreased by 20.1 percent compared to a placebo.
It has also been found to help lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. Preliminary studies indicate that African mango helps with control of blood sugar levels, making it a promising herb for dealing with diabetes.
Along with the previously mentioned benefits, African mango also provides benefits for the following ailments:
- Improve gut health
- Relieve pain
- Inhibit bacterial and fungal growth
Different ways to use African mango:
Seed, leaves, bark and root extracts are used to make medicine. The fruits are used to make wine, jam and jelly.
Side Effects of African Mango
African mango proposes an array of benefits that can heal you from the inside out. By adding it to your daily diet you can begin to reap the benefits for yourself.
African mango is safe for general use when used in the prescribed doses. Some people may experience flatulence, sleep difficulties and headaches. Those who are taking anti-diabetic medication must use African mango with caution.
Talk about African mango with your doctor to make sure it’ll be beneficial for you before consuming it.
The content of this Website is for informational purposes only, is general in nature and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and does not constitute professional advice. The information on this Website should not be considered as complete and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions, or their treatment. You should consult with your physician before beginning any exercise, weight loss, or health care program and/or any of the beauty treatments.
References
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. PMCID: PMC1168905
