MANGOSTEEN – THE QUEEN OF ALL FRUITS

Mangosteen is prized throughout certain regions of the world, especially Southeast Asia, for its medicinal value and its decadent taste – which many admirers claim is unrivaled by any other fruit. This exotic fruit is known as “The Queen of Fruits”.

Mangosteen originated in the Sunda Islands of Indonesia and is currently cultivated in various parts of Asia and Africa. It is identified by its dark purple or reddish exterior and its white flesh. The fruit is roughly the same size as a tangerine.

The tropical plant only grows in areas with enough humidity and rainfall – requiring steady temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Over the past thirty years or so, numerous scientific studies have been carried out to confirm the health benefits of mangosteen.

ABUNDANT IN MINERALS

A serving of mangosteen contains plenty of essential nutrients including magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, potassium, iron, calcium, copper, and manganese.

MINERALS	NUTRIENT VALUE	% OF RDA
Calcium	5.49 mg	0.5%
Copper	0.069 mg	7%
Iron	0.17 mg	2%
Magnesium	13.9 mg	3.5%
Manganese	0.10 mg	4%
Phosphorus	9.21 mg	1%
Zinc	0.12 mg	1%

(Source: USDA National Nutrient database)

RICH IN VITAMINS

Mangosteen is a potent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamins B6 and B12. The fruit also contains folate, folic acid, carotene, cryptoxanthin, riboflavin, niacin, and thiamin.

VITAMINS	NUTRIENT VALUE	% OF RDA
Vitamin C	7.2 mg	12%
Vitamin A	35 IU	1%
Niacin (Vit B3)	0.286 mg	2%
Pantothenic Acid (Vit B5)	0.032 mg	<1%
Pyridoxine (Vit B6)	0.041 mg	3%
Riboflavin (Vit B2)	0.054 mg	4%
Thiamin (Vit B1)	0.054 mg	4.5%

(Source: USDA National Nutrient database)

HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS

The fruit contains 20 out of the 200 known xanthones that occur in nature, making it a powerful source of antioxidants that help to boost the immune system, reduce free radicals, and contribute to overall health

Reported Health Benefits:

Natural Anti-Cancer Properties

The pericarps, the outer layer of the fruit, contain polyphenol compounds called xanthones which have been shown to inhibit the growth of breast, prostate (1) and colon cancer. (2)  Mangosteen can be used in combination with other healing modalities to cope with cancer as well as to prevent it.

 

Heart Health

The potassium content helps control heart rate and regulate blood pressure, which in turn aids in stroke and coronary heart disease prevention. (3) The high content of magnesium can effect the electrical function of the heart and promote healthy blood pressure and regular heartbeat. Mangosteen can also influence the blood flow in the body by dilating the blood vessels, thus reducing heart congestion and chest pains. It also lowers CRP levels which decreases the risk of heart disease. (4)

Anti-Fungal Agent

Mangosteen has been shown to be a potent antifungal – making it useful for those dealing with thrush or candida infections.

Anti-inflammatory Components

In many Southeast Asian countries, mangosteen has been utilized as a natural anti-inflammatory for countless years. One research study showed that individual components of mangosteen inhibit the release of both prostaglandin and histamine, which both contribute to inflammation. Drinking mangosteen juice has lowered biomarkers of inflammation in a trial study.(5) By reducing inflammation in the body, mangosteen helps to guard against the many conditions that are being tied to chronic inflammation, such as eczema, heart disease, arthritis, respiratory problems, allergies, autoimmune disorders, bacterial infections and certain types of cancer.

Wound Healing Capabilities

In addition to the fruit, the leaves, and bark of the mangosteen tree can also be implemented as medicinal tools. The leaves and bark have shown to be beneficial when mixed with other medicinal herbs and applied to wounds to help speed recovery. A drink can be prepared from the leaves and bark to serve as a natural anti-bacterial, which also helps with wound healing.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Majority of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are over 66 years old. It is estimated that by 2050, 1 in 85 people will become a victim of this debilitating brain disorder. Again, xanthones to the rescue! These powerful compounds have helped resolve the inflammation within brain tissue. Japanese scientists with the Department of Pharmaceutical Molecular Biology at Tohoku University performed two separate studies and concluded that gamma-mangostin in Mangosteen “directly inhibited” the process that leads to inflammation.

Stomach Upset

The outer layer of the fruit has been used to treat stomach upset such as diarrhea and dysentery.

Diabetes Treatment

Diabetes is at epidemic levels in the Western world right now. Mangosteen is used successfully as a natural treatment for helping to regulate blood sugar levels by those with diabetes.

“Long-term alpha-mangosteen supplementation has anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic effects and increase insulin sensitivity by improving beta-cell functions
in type 2 diabetes mellitus.”

Menstruation

Mangosteen roots have been used to help regulate the menstrual cycle by women in Malaysia. Adding mangosteen into your diet can also help reduce PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome) symptoms like mood swings and high blood pressure.

Skin Health

“What if I told you that you have a silent friend that is with you all the time, placing a beautiful, sheer, protective barrier around you…”

Anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-oxidant properties of mangosteen are helpful in preventing eczema, slowing down skin aging and possibly even preventing skin cancer.(6)

Weight Management

A high fiber and low-calorie content promote healthy weight loss. In some studies, subjects who were supplementing with mangosteen juice showed a decrease in BMI (Body Mass Index) (7)

Tuberculosis

Thanks to its powerful antibacterial and immune system enhancing properties, mangosteen turned out to be beneficial in the recovery process of tuberculosis patients.

As you can see, various parts of the mangosteen plant are utilized for their medicinal properties. The rind and leaves can be prepared to make a medicinal tea, while the mangosteen fruit can be eaten whole if you are lucky enough to find yourself in an area where the delicious fruit is available. Mangosteen juice, mangosteen powder, and supplements are available for purchase online or in various health food stores or Asian markets.

Resources:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-10/bc-mjc101609.php

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21902651

http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/guide/alzheimers-dementia

“A Doctor’s Challenge: A Mangosteen Solution”, J. Frederic Templeman, M.D., Sounds Concepts, 2003; www.mangosteentools.com.

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