Do you remember green tea during the nineties? It was huge: not only offering a plentitude of health benefits, but actually acting as a way to lose a little weight.

Then during the aughts came acai. A few celebrities mentioned it and people took it to be the miracle cure for just about everything short of mortality itself.

Now a new challenger approaches: the African mango. Many people are wondering what it is, how it’s different from regular mangoes, and what health benefits it really has.

A Mango is a Mango, Right?

The common mango is a very healthy fruit, as all fruit are. It’s a source of antioxidants, fibers and healthy sugars and plant-fats.

You could conceivably base a diet on the common mango for its health benefits. However this would be the same as going on any other fruit diet.

So How is the African Mango Any Different?

The African mango comes from the genus Iveringia which is native to West Africa. Contrary to popular belief, it grows along the tropics from West Africa to Southeast Asia.

Also known as the “bush” mango, it is prized by locals for its health benefits. Similar to the common mango, it is sweet, healthy and an excellent source of vitamins and antioxidants.

But, How is it Different?

In reality, it’s not, except for one thing: its seed. The African mango has a large seed that takes up most of the fruit.

However, it’s this seed that makes it so valuable. It can be crushed and formed into a paste (known as Gabon chocolate) or made into bread (called dika bread).

Traditional hunters would eat the seed-paste when they went on long hunts. This recipe was knows to boost the hunter’s energy and stave off their appetites.

As a Weight-Loss Aid

Scientists found out about the seeds appetite-suppressing abilities and quickly began investigating it as a dietary supplement. As a natural source of safe fat-loss, it was worth the research.

As it turns out, the phyto-chemicals in the nut are not only filling (because of their high soluble fiber content), but regulate leptin. Leptin is responsible for telling the body it’s full.

So when you begin wondering what is African mango, know that it’s the nut that supplement companies are talking about. It has been shown in several studies to be effective at promoting weight loss.

One supplement of note is IrvingiAppress, a pill that combines the weight and health abilities of both African mango and the time proven green tea. Try it and see the benefits of African mango yourself!