Ivingia gobonensis, commonly known as African mango or bush mango is a tree that is native to the rainforests of Western Africa. The fruit, bark and seeds of the African mango have been highly valued for centuries by the local peoples as both food and medicine. The seeds are incredibly nutritious and were traditionally used by tribesman on long hunting trips to ward off hunger.
More recently, research studies have been conducted to explore the potential health benefits of African mango. In two randomised, placebo-controlled trials of overweight or obese people taking African mango supplements; participants in the African mango group showed improved weight loss, reduced body fat, reduced hip and waist circumference, and lowered cholesterol. In these and other studies, results demonstrated a significant improvement in levels of body hormones that influence fat metabolism and blood sugar levels in participants taking African mango seed.
African mango seed extract has recently become commercially available in a supplement form. Natural Health Trading’s Super African Mango 1200 has been hugely popular worldwide and is now available in New Zealand. Each capsule of Super African Mango 1200 provides you with 600mg of African mango seed extract, so taking just two capsules daily provides the recommended dose.
The seeds utilised to make Super African Mango 1200 are harvested from both plantation and wild growing sources. The workers involved in harvesting are paid a fair wage, and the sustainability of commercial use of African mango is monitored by the International Herbal Foundation.