What is Mangosteen?
Mangosteen is a tree native to South Asia (predominantly Thailand and the Philippines) that bears purplish-red fruit the size of a tangerine. It has a tough rind and sweet, edible pulp. Mangosteen’s scientific designation is Garcinia mangostana and is not to be confused with the mango tree, a member of an entirely different plant species. St. John’s Wort, a popular Western herb being studied for its impact on mood disorders, is a popular herbal relation to the mangosteen family. Literature indicates that mangosteen supplements were first introduced to the American marketplace by a Utah-based company in 2002.
Mangosteen Uses
Mangosteen is most commonly consumed fresh off the tree and in juice form. Because the fruit contains high levels of xanthones, antioxidant compounds similar in structure to flavonoids, mangosteen juice is touted as a health tonic in Europe and America. Various derivatives and extracts of mangosteen peel, hull, pulp and seeds have strong foundations in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine and are contained in many dietary supplements targeted at holistic wellness.
Mangosteen Benefits and Claims
Mangosteen has been cleverly marketed by hundreds of supplement companies selling Mangosteen juice and powder as a cure-all for just about any ailment. Studies indicate that its antioxidant properties – similar to other fruits such as blueberries, raspberries and some citrus – may have the potential to the fight free radicals that present a detriment to good health.
Mangosteen possesses a high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) rating and may benefit the gastrointestinal tract, support cartilage and joint function and promote a healthy respiratory system. Doctors and nutritionists confirm that mangosteen supplements support most organs in the body and may help boost immune system function. Some even prescribe mangosteen to fortify the effectiveness of traditional medications and as adjunctive therapy.
The fruit and bark of mangosteen have been used for hundreds of years in Singapore, India, Malaysia and China to treat disorders such as diarrhea, dysentery, urinary problems, thrush and skin disorders such as eczema.
In American and in Europe, thousands of multi-level marketers and supplement companies claim that mangosteen can fight free radicals, balance blood sugar, prevent degenerative brain disorders, stave off migraines and depression and help with a host of other physical and mental complications.* Many claim that emerging evidence suggests that mangosteen can aid inflammation and fight infection too.* – claims backed by little to no clinical evidence and which remain unfounded by the FDA at the time of this writing.
Mangosteen Nutrition
Mangosteen contains protein, fiber, iron, phosphorus, calcium, thiamine, vitamin C and an assortment of other nutrients in trace amounts. The most nutritious part of the mangosteen fruit is the pericarp (peel or hull). And although juice made from mangosteen pulp may benefit overall health, most of the xanthone content is contained in the pericarp.
The nutritive value of mangosteen products can vary significantly and is dependent on the concentration of actual mangosteen fruit contained in the juice, powder, extract, concentrate or capsule. Oftentimes, the nutritive value of mangosteen is diminished as a result of pasteurization and processing, and the frequent use of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers by third world farmers. In addition, many mangosteen products contain artificial sweeteners, preservatives and stabilizing agents that can negate the healthful impact of the fruit.
Certain producers of mangosteen juice and supplements fortify their products with nutrients such as vitamins and minerals and other whole food sources of nutrition.
Mangosteen Side Effects and Toxicity
Literature cites no contraindications with other medications, no adverse side effects and no toxicity related to mangosteen. This, of course, doesn’t mean that none exist, but if they do, they’re rare and isolated incidents and have gone undocumented. Doctors and nutritionists agree that mangosteen is safe and nutritious for both children and adults and reacts in the body similar to other fruit juices and dietary supplements. If you have a known medical condition or allergy, it’s always advisable to consult a physician before using any dietary supplement.
Clinical Studies and Mangosteen Research
There is no wealth of information available in legitimate medical databases such as PubMed or others that justifies the efficacy of mangosteen claims made by marketers. And very little evidence exists regarding mangosteen’s free-radical-fighting ability in humans.
There are many clinical studies, however, that link the xanthones in Mangosteen to good health, but at the same time do not prove that mangosteen is any more or less beneficial to humans than a glass of orange juice. Mangosteen’s high ORAC rating doesn’t necessarily confer any health advantage and nutritionists stick to the notion that good health is achieved through a combination of many factors, including diet, exercise, hereditary and environmental circumstances.
Mangosteen and the FDA
Mangosteen is not regulated by the FDA in the U.S. It is allowed to be sold only as a dietary supplement and cannot legally claim that it is a cure, prevention or treatment for any known existing condition. Reports indicate that because the majority of mangosteen is grown and harvested abroad in third world and developing nations, there may be issues with handling, sanitation, cleanliness, product safety and overall factory conditions. Few countries around the world have standards as stringent as the U.S. FDA, often resulting in setbacks in product quality and safety. Although American standards may not apply to Asian mangosteen growers and producers, many mangosteen products and farms are certified by the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) of Organic Agricultural Products and may state as much on their labels. Japanese organic standards are similar to the U.S. and in some cases stricter. JAS standards do not allow for the use of pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers.
Dietary Benefits of Mangosteen Juice
Because of the high amounts of xanthones, the mangosteen is a more powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants naturally prevent free radicals, which are very easily found in the body as a result of both natural cell breakdown.
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