Recently, African Mango has become such a hot topic among weight loss discussion groups that the famous doctor, Dr. Oz, is even talking about it. What is it and does it work to help lose those unwanted pounds?

The African mango, or irvingia gabonesis, is a fruit very similar to the mangoes that many have bought in the market. It is grown in the Cameroonian rainforest in West Africa, and the seed extract has been the subject of recent weight loss studies.

According to a Reuters article, the results of the first well-controlled clinical trial on the extract’s efficacy in reducing excess weight suggest that iringia gabonesis could be a “useful tool” in the battle against obesity.

A four-week study, conducted by researchers at Yaondue University in Africa in 2005, involved 40 adults given 3.15 g of irvingia gabonesis 30 minutes before meals. A control group received an oat bran placebo. Each subject consumed about 1,800 calories a day and did not increase her activity level.

After four weeks, the group that had taken irvingia gabonesis lost an average of 12 pounds each, or 5.6 percent of their body weight, compared to the control group, which lost just 1 percent. Systolic blood pressure was also lowered in those who took irvingia gabonesis.

In a subsequent 10-week study, published in the journal Lipids in Health and Disease, 102 overweight people were given either irvingia gabonesis or a placebo again. At the end of the trial, the subjects given African Mango lost an average of 28 pounds compared to the control group who lost just 1 pound.

Furthermore, it was discovered after 10 weeks that these subjects also had a noticeable decrease in body fat and their waistlines were two inches smaller, indicating its effectiveness in reducing abdominal fat.

Fox News recently reported on the cholesterol-lowering effects of this West African fruit, noting that levels of LDL, the bad cholesterol, had decreased. Total cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, and C-reactive proteins had also decreased.

Another study reported an increase in adiponectin production in the group taking irvingia gabonesis. The anti-inflammatory properties of adiponectin have been associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

Insomnia, headache, and gas were reported as mild side effects. Research indicates that the African mango may be a useful aid in weight reduction.