Why Mangosteen

One of the biggest discoveries of modern medicine or just overpriced fruit juice?

Why Mangosteen? That's a question that a lot of people are starting to ask. Exotic fruit juices such as Pomegranate, Goji, Noni, and Mangosteen, are at the forefront of some of the hot new health and wellness trends. These fruits and several others including cranberries, blueberries, red grapes and Acai are among those often referred to as “superfruits.” These superfruits are reported to be rich in nutrients and antioxidants, and it is presumed that they possess the potential to lower risk against human disease. Mangosteen meets at least the first two of these qualifications, and additional research may prove that Mangosteen does, indeed, offer significant health benefits.

What is Mangosteen?
Although the name is similar, Mangosteen is not related to the mango.

The Mangosteen, or Garcinia mangostana, is a small reddish-purple fruit about the size of a tangerine. Mangosteens grow on tropical trees with dark brown bark and leathery dark green leaves. The fruit is capped by the prominent calynx at the stem end, much like the pomegranate. There are 4 to 8 triangular segments of snow white juicy flesh inside the fruit which is the edible portion. Frequently referred to as the “Queen of Fruits,” the Mangosteen fruit, unlike noni, is sweet and delicious.

What's in Mangosteen?
Mangosteens contain a number of compounds, the most prominent being xanthones, a type of chemical in certain plants. These xanthones are believed to be powerful antioxidants with other potent physiological properties. Xanthones have been touted as having anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antiallergic, antitumor, and antiplatelet properties. Researchers have discovered more than 200 xanthones, 40 of these are found in Mangosteen fruit. Incidentally, xanthones were first discovered when researching the health benefits of Mangosteen fruit based on its traditional use as a folk medicine.

Interestingly, these xantones are found in the rind and seed of the Mangosteen – not in the edible portion of the fruit. As a result, you’ll find that most Mangosteen juices and many Mangosteen-related products contain powdered rind to take advantage of the rich antioxidants only available in that part of the fruit.

Why Antioxidants?
Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances in plants that protect the body from free radicals that interfere with normal cellular functions. Free radicals abound in our modern world in the form of pollutants, food additives, pesticides, cigarette smoke, viruses, and bacteria. Damage by unchecked free-radical compounds can manifest as serious illnesses. For example, cancer is now known to be associated with free-radical damage to healthy cellular DNA. Because antioxidants protect the body from these free radicals, they can help combat heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. Powerful antioxidants are also believed to help slow the aging process.

Why is Mangosteen so Popular?
Early research on Mangosteen is showing promising results, but it too early to determine the full health potential. Mangosteen’s popularity is due primarily to the emails and direct solicitations of a successful network marketing company selling a highly promoted Mangosteen juice. Distributors claim it can cure everything from Alzheimer's disease to cancer. Although most of the health claims have not been conclusively proven, hundreds of convincing and persuasive testimonials from satisfied consumers have caused sales to skyrocket. This five-year-old multi-level marketing company, who first introduced their juice in 2003, reported sales of more than $200 million in 2005.

But what do the researchers say? For more on health benefits and research studies, click here!

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or health care provider. You should not use information from this web site for the treatment of any health problem. As with any herbal or dietary supplement, talk to a heath care professional before making Mangosteen a part of your regular diet.