It is a round, dark purple or red fruit with a white pulp.
Mangosteen is often called the queen of fruits'' because of its slightly acidic yet sweet flavor.
Mangosteen has garnered attention for its health benefits, namely its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
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This article covers the benefits of mangosteen fruit, its nutrition, mangosteen supplements, and specific considerations.
Elizabeth Beard / Getty Images
What Is Mangosteen?
Mangosteen is a popular fruit native to Southeast Asia.
In traditional Southeast Asian medicine, mangosteen can treat infections, wounds, inflammation, and diarrhea.
Mangosteens are rich inxanthones, a bang out ofpolyphenol(a special plant compound).
Xanthones are likely responsible for the medicinal properties of mangosteen.
Two forms of xanthones abound in mangosteen:alpha-mangostinandgamma-mangostin.
Like most fruits, fresh mangosteen can be an excellent addition to a healthy dietary pattern.
Canned or frozen mangosteen or mangosteen syrup may be more readily available.
When purchasing mangosteen, check the added sugar content because canned products often include sugary syrup.
Mangosteen Is a Good Source of Fiber
Fiberis an essential nutrient for health.
According to one study, only 5% of Americans meet recommendations for fiber intake.
Adult males 19 to 50 should consume 38 grams of fiber, and adult females 25 grams.
Recommendations decrease to 30 and 21 grams of fiber daily for males and females, respectively, over 50.
Mangosteen is a significant source of fiber; adding it to the diet can help YOU reach fiber recommendations.
Manganese also supports antioxidant function by protecting against cell damage from unstable molecules.
Copper helps with energy production,ironmetabolism, and the formation ofneurotransmitters.
Additionally, copper is vital for antioxidant-related functions.
Folateis a bang out of B vitamin necessary for DNA production and cell division.
Additionally,folateis essential during theearly stages of pregnancyto preventneural tube defects.
How to Eat Mangosteen
Mangosteen can be eaten raw.
First, remove the outer husk by making a quarter-inch-deep cut around the fruit.
Use your fingers to separate the two halves, exposing the white, pulpy fruit.
Separate the individual fruit sections.
Each section contains an edible seed or pit.
Consume raw or add to smoothies or fruit salad.
you’re able to also juice the mangosteen.
Mangosteen is also available as a juice, extract, or capsule supplement.
Mangosteen extract should be consumed with food because dietary fat helps increase the bioavailability of alpha-mangostin.
Health Benefits of Mangosteen
Mangosteen has been popularized as a supplement for many aspects of health.
Although research is promising, additional studies are required to understand the effects of mangosteen on health.
Body Composition
Some research suggests mangosteen affects body composition changes.
Moreover, participants taking the supplement noticed changes to body composition, specifically reductions in theirwaist circumference.
However, deciphering whether the changes in body composition are due to mangosteen extract or other factors remains difficult.
The supplement also contained a mix of medicinal plant extracts.
Supplementing with mangosteen pericarp worsened symptom severity.
Mangosteens are high in polyphenols, compounds found in plants with known cognitive benefits.
However, despite this, supplementing with mangosteen pericarp extract does not improve cognitive outcomes in people with schizophrenia.
Cognitive outcomes included psychomotor function, attention, visual learning and memory, andworking memory.
Muscle fatigue can result from highly unstable reactive molecules orlactic acidbuildup.
Mangosteen may reduce physical fatigue fromexercisedue to its antioxidant properties.
Antioxidants prevent the production of unstable, reactive molecules.
One study showed no benefit of a mangosteen-based juice on physical fatigue from exercise.
However, a self-reported psychological mood score revealed decreased fatigue among those taking mangosteen.
More research is necessary to determine if mangosteen alleviates physical fatigue from exercise.
Untreated periodontitis can causetooth loss.
Oral supplements and topical gels containing mangosteen improve the severity and symptoms of gum disease.
Researchers attribute the beneficial effects of mangosteen on gum disease to its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities.
If free radicals outnumber the antioxidants in the body, then cellular damage and inflammation ensue.
Mangosteens potent antioxidant activity is due to the xanthones alpha- and beta-mangostin.
Alpha-mangostin inhibits the production of inflammatory molecules.
Studies indicate that consuming mangosteen-based products such as juice increases the levels of antioxidants in the body.
However, it is unclear whether these increases result in health benefits or are clinically meaningful.
The positive result is likely due to mangosteens high antioxidant content, but more research is still necessary.
Acne is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions.
Although topical creams exist totreat acne, people are still interested in alternative treatment methods.
One clinical trial demonstrated that a facial cleanser containing mangosteen extract and other herbals reducedacneandinflammationafter eight weeks.
Whether the benefits are due to mangosteen or the additional extracts in the cleanser remains unclear.
Mangosteen appears promising for skin health, but more information is necessary on the specific forms and dosages.
Multiplein vitroand animal studies show that alpha-mangostin inhibits the spread and growth of cancer cells, particularly incolonandbreast cancer.
One study suggests that mangostin may help inhibit the cell receptors responsible for excreting anticancer medication fromcancer cells.
This may allow more of the medication to accumulate in these cells.
Therefore, combining mangosteen supplements with anticancer medications may increase the effectiveness of specific cancer treatments.
However, further research is necessary.
Is Mangosteen Good for Me?
Mangosteen is a nutritious fruit that can be consumed as part of a healthy diet.
However, more data is necessary to support specific health claims associated with mangosteen and its various forms.
Additional research is also necessary to determine the health benefits of mangosteen fruit, juice, and pericarp extract.
Precautions
People takinganticoagulantorantiplateletmedication (such aswarfarin) should exercise caution with mangosteen consumption.
Xanthones in mangosteen prevent platelet aggregation, slowing blood clotting and increasing the risk of bleeding and bruising.
Mangosteen may also interact with certaincancer medications.
For example, mangosteen increases the effectiveness oftamoxifen, a drug commonly used forbreast cancer.
No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Summary
Mangosteen is a fruit native to Southeast Asia.
It is used in traditional medicine for infections, wounds, inflammation, and diarrhea.
Interest has grown in the health benefits of mangosteen as a fruit, juice, and supplement.
Health claims surrounding mangosteen abound.
Despite promising research, more information is necessary to understand how the different forms of mangosteen influence health.
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