Mangosteen is a fairly small fruit. In fact, it’s not too dissimilar from a tangerine in size, roughly about 2-3 inches round. It has a colorful purple rind, while the inside is a white-colored fruit with between 4 and 8 segments.
Mangosteen is a type of unique tropical fruit that originates from Southeast Asia. Mangosteen has been used both as a delicious food and as a source of traditional medicine. The portion of the mangosteen fruit that’s generally considered edible is a white, fleshy aril about the size of a tangerine.
The primary active components of the mangosteen fruit are called xanthones. Xanthones are a recently discovered class of polyphenolic compounds that are biologically active and structurally similar to bioflavanoids. These compounds occur only rarely in nature, with the majority being found in only two families of plants. Two hundred naturally occurring xanthones have so far been identified. Around forty of them have been discovered in the mangosteen fruit.
Xanthones and their derivatives have been shown to have several benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties, anti-allergic, and anti convulsant abilities. There are also other components of the mangosteen that have medicinal qualities, including polysaccharides, sterols, proanthocyanidins and catechins. These are less nutritionally important and biologically active than xanthones, but are still a major part of providing the fruit with its medicinal benefits, since many of them act as antioxidants.
Mangosteen fruit has been discovered to contain a number of these strong antioxidants. These are compounds that prevent or reduct oxidation and reactions that are promoted by peroxides and oxygen. Oxidation in the body can produce free radicals, which begin chain reactions, causing cell damage. This type of cell damage has been linked to premature aging and a number of diseases. Antioxidants stop these chain reactions because they remove the free radicals. Low levels of antioxidants in the body causes what is called oxidative stress, which has been associated with many diseases. The use of antioxidants has been intensively studied in recent years, particularly in treatments of neurodegenerative disease and strokes.
Rind of the mangosteen that provides the greatest benefit. This rind is strongly astringent, containing tannins and other chemicals intended to keep insects away from the fruit. However, it’s the healthiest portion of the mangosteen. Because of the unpleasant taste that comes with processing the mangosteen skin along with the fruit, most mangosteen juices are actually blends. They contain other strongly antioxidant fruits to improve the health benefits and taste of the mangosteen juice.
Mangosteen has the ability to make us healthier and happier. Its potent antioxidants are useful against many different ailments, and can help our immune systems and entire bodies grow stronger. However, only effective, quality mangosteen products and juices can give us these benefits. Look for items that use the whole fruit, and that have as few types of filler as possible. That way, you’ll get the most out of your mangosteen.
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