Limited evidenceWeight management

African Mango (Irvingia)

Seed extract of Irvingia gabonensis, marketed on the back of trials reporting dramatic weight loss. Those trials came almost entirely from one research group and have serious methodological problems.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

Body weight and waist Limited evidence
A systematic review and meta-analysis reported reductions in body weight and waist circumference with Irvingia gabonensis extract, but the pooled trials were few, small and largely from a single source. Effect sizes were implausibly large for a plant extract.
Quality of the evidence Limited evidence
An independent systematic review of randomized controlled trials concluded that the trials had methodological weaknesses and that the evidence for Irvingia in overweight and obesity is not convincing. Independent replication is absent.
Lipids and metabolic markers Limited evidence
A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of the IGOB131 extract reported improvements in body weight and metabolic parameters over 10 weeks. It shares authorship and site with the other positive trials, so it does not provide independent confirmation.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTrials used 150 mg twice daily of the IGOB131 extract before meals, or 1.05 g three times daily of cruder preparations, for 4–10 weeks.

SafetyReported side effects in trials were mild: headache, flatulence, sleep disturbance. Because it is claimed to affect blood glucose and lipids, people on diabetes or lipid medication should monitor. Data in pregnancy and breastfeeding are absent, and product identity and dose vary widely between brands.

Scientific references

The Effects of Irvingia gabonensis Seed Extract Supplementation on Anthropometric and Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Lee J, Chung M, Fu Z — J Am Coll Nutr, 2020
The efficacy of Irvingia gabonensis supplementation in the management of overweight and obesity: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Onakpoya I, Davies L, Posadzki P — J Diet Suppl, 2013
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
Ngondi JL, Etoundi BC, Nyangono CB — Lipids Health Dis, 2009

Where to buy

View on iHerb

Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.

Related in Weight management

L-Carnitine Moderate evidence
MCT Oil Moderate evidence
CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) Limited evidence
White Kidney Bean Extract Limited evidence
Glucomannan Limited evidence
Chitosan Limited evidence