Nutrition

 by: Shawn Paeltzer

Mangosteen, or Garcina mangostana, is a tropical fruit of the size of an apple. It has a thick rind and hard seeds and is grown in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The fruit is rich in vitamins such as B1 and B2 and contains minerals like potassium and iron. However, the standout feature of this fruit is the presence of a high concentration of antioxidants and xanthones.

Mangosteen has been used for centuries in the traditional Chinese and ayurvedic medicine systems prevalent in South-east Asia as a remedy for skin and gum diseases, parasites, wounds, burns, as an anti-depressant, cure for fatigue and fevers, etc.

The health benefits of this fruit are available in the form of mangosteen juice which is sold by health stores and is available online as well. One well-known brand of mangosteen juice is Xango.

The rind, seeds, and the flesh are used to prepare the juice, which is credited with having anti-aging, anti-allergen, and antibiotic properties. The key to the health giving properties of mangosteen juice is xanthones. They serve an important purpose by fighting free radicals. Free radicals seek to attain atomic stability by acquiring an electron from the cells in the human body; thereby, causing irreversible oxidation of the cells. Xanthones have an antioxidant effect and they counter the deleterious effects of free radicals thus protecting biological cells.

The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test shows that mangosteen juice is 20-30 times more effective than other fruits and vegetables in absorbing free radicals.

Xanthones offer benefits such as

? Supporting microbiological balance

? Promoting cell growth

? Regulating cholesterol

? Boosting the immune system

? Promoting suppleness of joints

? Fighting mental fatigue

? Controlling the actions of histamines

? Anti-carcinogenic agent

? Fungicide and bactericide

The xanthones contained in mangosteen are strongly anti-carcinogenic and according to a recent study, Garcinone E, which is a xanthone, is useful in cases of cancers of the stomach, lungs, and liver. Mangosteen juice, which contains all the goodness of xanthone, is found to be efficacious in the treatment of asthma, arthritis, fibromyalgia, mouth ulcers, problems of the gastro-intestinal tract, etc. Of the more than 200 known xanthones that are found in the plant kingdom, more than 40 are found in mangosteen.

Mangosteen is a fruit of the tropical climes and is not readily available everywhere; mangosteen juice is an equally effective alternative that is readily available and is packed with the goodness of xanthones. The recommended daily dosage is 1-3 ounces. Mangosteen juice as sold by brands such as Xango may contain some additional ingredients like sodium benzoate and citric acid as well as additional juices of fruits such as pears, apples, grapes, and cranberries in order to counter the bitterness of the pericarp of mangosteen, which is used in the final product.

Xango, which was the first mangosteen juice brand, is popular with users who consume this beverage regularly and attest to its health giving properties. Xango can be taken with other foods that have antioxidant properties, such as broccoli and spinach.