African Mango: The Perfect Aide in Your Weight Loss Journey?

According to the statistics published by the World Health Organisation, 13% of the world’s adult population is obese, whereas 39% is overweight. Seeing these ravaging numbers, it’s only normal to witness the fitness industry booming. Understandably, the use of dietary and herbal supplements for weight loss is also on the rise. There is an increasing trend toward looking for newer and better ways to assist weight loss. One of the latest revelations in the domain has been the African Mango.

African Mango is a native fruit of West Africa. Although the fruit has long been used as traditional medicine by the African tribes, it’s only recently that African mango for weight loss has become a buzz worldwide. Read through to know more about this tropical fruit and its weight loss benefits.

What is African Mango?

African mango, known as the Irvingia Gabonensis in Latin, grows in the dense deciduous forests of West Africa. Also known as the bush mango, wild mango, and dika nut, the fruits of Irvingia gabonensis are greenish-yellow in colour and have fibrous pulp with a large and hard seed. These attributes are similar to those of a common mango, therefore the name African mango.

Traditionally, the African mango has been used in varied ways. These include:

1. Effective in treating dysentery and diarrhoea
2. It has been used in balm and pain relief ointments
3. The preparations from bark of the African mango tree is used to treat hernia 
4. The tender and soft tree barks help provide relief from toothache and are actively used in mouthwash preparations
5. Leaves of the African mango tree, brewed in tea, help treat infections
6. The antimicrobial attributes of African mango assist wound healing
7. African mango seed extract is a food flavouring agent
8. The edible oil extracted from the seed acts as a healthy cooking medium.
9. African mango pulp lends flavour to jam, jelly, and juices

Nutritional Value of African Mango

African mango is loaded with nutrition which helps it confer numerous health benefits. Every 100 grams of the fruit contains: 

• Calories: 86
• Protein: 1 gram
• Fat: 0.4 grams (coming from myristic and lauric acids)
• Carbohydrates: 18 grams
• Vitamin C: equivalent to 62% of the Daily Dietary Requirement 

Furthermore, the fruit is rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and sodium. It is loaded with soluble fibre and is an excellent source of antioxidants and plant protein. It is known to contain 41 phenolic compounds including flavonols, tannins, and ellagic acid.

African Mango for Weight Loss

The supplement ‘African mango for weight loss’ that is gaining popularity worldwide is the extract derived from the seed of the fruit. Normally, the fleshy portion of the fruit is eaten and not the seed. But researchers have found that it is the seed of an African mango that contains the supposedly powerful nutrients that help melt away the belly fat and reduce the waistline.

The supplements of African mango for weight loss are available in the market in powdered, liquid, and capsule form. The nutritional value of the African mango extract makes it an ideal weight loss supplement. African mango benefits weight loss in the following ways:

1. Boosts Metabolism

The metabolism rate of a body is the speed at which the fats are burned. Obese people have a slow metabolism rate which leads to the accumulation of fats over time. However, adiponectin, a hormone released by the fat cells in the body, plays a key role in regulating the metabolism rate of the body. African mango extract is known to increase the levels of adiponectin. This boosts metabolic activity, helping the body burn fat faster. As the count of calories burnt surpasses the count consumed, the body begins to lose weight.

2. Suppresses Appetite

Calorie intake is directly related to weight gain. And our appetite is monitored by the levels of leptin hormone in the body. Obese people have a reduced sensitivity to leptin hormone which signals the brain when to stop eating. Thus, obese people end up eating much more than what is required by the body. But African mango extract helps in leptin formation and regulation, which helps suppress appetite.

3. Keeps the Stomach Full

The African mango extract contains high quantities of soluble fibre. The fibre stays in the stomach for a long time and delays stomach emptying, which in turn, cuts down appetite. Once the calorie intake reduces, the body turns to stored fats to generate energy, leading to weight loss.

4. Puts the Body into Thermogenesis

African mango extract helps burn body fat through thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is a process in which the body’s core temperature is increased. This leads to burning larger amounts of body fat without losing muscle mass and strength. 

5. Increases Energy

African mango is a nutrient-rich fruit. It provides the body with adequate nutrition to keep it active and agile throughout the day. When a person feels energetic, they indulge in regular exercise and workouts and shun the sedentary lifestyle habits. The change in lifestyle habits forms the basis of healthy body weight.

Possible Side Effects of African Mango Extract

Coming from a natural source, consuming African mango for weight loss is broadly considered to be safe. However, a few side effects have been reported. These include:

Sleep Disturbance – The body is consistently high on energy; this makes it challenging to get adequate sleep.

Dehydration – The African mango fruit and extract can leave the mouth dry and may spur dehydration. 

Constipation – High quantity of soluble fibre in African mango delays stomach emptying. This mixed with dehydration can lead to severe constipation.

Gastric attacks – Chronic constipation can lead to gastric attacks and flatulence.

Headaches – Flatulence can be a cause of perpetual headaches

Drug Interaction – People on diabetes and cholesterol-lowering drugs can experience drug interaction and adverse reactions.

Who Should Avoid African Mango for Weight Loss?

African mango supplements for weight loss are not recommended for:

1. Pregnant women
2. Breastfeeding mothers
3. Children
4. People suffering from immune-compromised diseases
5. People on prescribed medication

African Mango Supplement Dosage 

According to clinical studies, the recommended daily dose of African mango supplements ranges from 150 mg twice a day to 1,050 mg three times a day. The appropriate dose will depend upon a person’s overall health and medical condition, age, and tolerance to the African mango supplements. The daily dose of African mango for weight loss must be taken 30 minutes before a meal for best results.

Conclusion

The African mango is most sought after for its extract which has proven to be a new weight-loss mantra. Rich in nutrients and weight loss attributes, the supplement promises to help shed those extra kilos with ease. But like any other weight loss supplement, African mango for weight loss is not without side effects. So, it is important to consult your medical practitioner before consuming it. 

Also, given its popularity, the market is loaded with African mango supplements. But it is important to stay away from companies/brands that sell cheap or fake products. Read the ingredient details mentioned on the pack carefully to check efficacy and strength as cheap quality supplements can trigger toxic reactions. But remember, the African mango supplement is not a stand-alone magical pill. It delivers results only when used in tandem with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits.