Benefits of Mangosteen Fruit

Mangosteen is one of the most popular tropical fruits, which is grown mainly in humid, hot climates. Mangosteen tree is a small evergreen tree, found in the Pacific islands, Africa and southeast Asia such as Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. Mangosteen is recognized by other names such as Garcinia mangostana L., manggis, mangostan or mangis. It is round in shape, approximately 2-3 inches in diameter, dark purple in color with a soft, snow-white, juicy flesh. Mangosteen fruits are popular for its medicinal properties. It offers a number of health benefits; that's why it is known as 'the Queen of fruits'.

Benefits and Advantages

Mangosteen fruit is known for its delicious taste as well as for its high nutritional value. It is rich in fibers and carbohydrates. It also contains abundant amount of vitamins like vitamin A, vitamins B2 and B6 and vitamin C as well as minerals like iron, calcium and potassium. Mangosteen fruit is a great source of xanthones. Xanthones are a group of naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds such as garcinone E, garconone B, alpha-mangostin and beta-mangostin. Due to antioxidant properties of xanthones, they help remove free radicals from the body and control their deteriorating effects. These antioxidants can help slow aging, boost immune system, control degenerative diseases like arthritis. They can also be effectively used to treat cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, thrombosis and hypertension. Mangosteen fruit is also popular for its antifungal, antibacterial, anti-fatigue and antihistamine properties. Due to its anti-allergenic properties, it can be used to heal various allergies. Its anti-inflammatory properties can relieve the pain of sciatica and peripheral neuropathy.

Mangosteen fruit and juice can be effectively used to prevent different hazardous diseases such as diabetes, cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, migraine, heart disease as well as other chronic health conditions such as fever, inflammation, body pain and depression. Mangosteen fruit also supports microbial balance, improves joint flexibility, maintains intestinal health, promotes a healthy respiratory system and provides positive mental support.

Medicinal Uses

For centuries, mangosteen fruits have been used for medication purposes such as traditional Chinese medicine to treat various ailments. They can be used to reduce pain and treat different infections. The dried rind in this fruit is rich in tannins. Tannins are known to have antiseptic and astringent properties. The rind is powdered and used to control dysentery. The extraction of the rind is used to relieve cystitis, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome and gonorrhea. It can be applied externally as an astringent. Mangosteen fruit can be used in the form of ointment to heal eczema, skin rashes and other skin disorders. A root extraction of the mangosteen tree is helpful in regulating menstruation.

One should keep in mind that xanthones in the mangosteen fruit can interfere with the normal process of blood clotting and in people having blood-thinning medications such as warfarin, it may cause bleeding. If taken in higher dose, mangosteen can cause sedative effects. Despite these side-effects, mangosteen fruit is no doubt a perfect source of all the essential nutrients. It can be taken in the form of juice or mangosteen tea or mangosteen supplements.