Mangosteen | Proven health benefits and uses | nutrition and recipes

The scientific name of mangosteen is Garcinia Mangostana. Mangosteen fruit and peel has many medicinal health benefits for body and skin. It helps to prevent acne, provide pain relief,  rich in antioxidants, good for kidney and brain health, prevent allergies, helps fight and prevent cancer,  aid in weight loss, rich in antioxidants, good for kidney and brain health, has antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Mangosteen fruit taste sweet and tangy, juicy, somewhat fibrous, with fluid-filled vesicles (like the flesh of citrus fruits).

Mangosteen nutritional value and calories

According to the USDA nutrient database, 100g of mangosteen contains the following values:

73kcal

17.91g Carbs

1.8g Fiber

.58g Fat

.41g Protein

.054mg Thiamin (5% RDI)

.054mg Riboflavin (5% RDI)

.286mg Niacin (2% RDI)

.032mg Pantothenic acid (1% RDI)

.018mg B6 (1% RDI)

31ug Folate (8% RDI)

2.9mg Vitamin C (3% RDI)

12mg Calcium (1% RDI)

.3mg Iron (2% RDI)

13mg Magnesium (4% RDI)

.102mg Manganese (5% RDI)

8mg Phosphorous (1% RDI)

48mg Potassium (1% RDI)

7mg Sodium

.21mg Zinc (2% RDI)

Health benefits and uses of mangosteen

Antioxidants

Oxidative damage is involved in many chronic diseases including those cited as the major causes of death in Western societies such as cardiovascular disorders and cancer. Antioxidants may prevent these degenerative processes by various mechanisms including the scavenging of free radicals.

According to a study, Mangosteen fruit is rich in xanthones, which has measurable antioxidant activity in human subjects.

Anti-Inflammatory

A study has shown that mangosteen juice is rich in antioxidants levels and has ability to reduce inflammation in overweight and obese individuals may be valuable in preventing the progression to metabolic syndrome with associated risks for heart disease and diabetes.

Food for kidney health

Mangosteen fruit has protective effect on kidney. According to a research study, compounds in mangosteen prevents cisplatin-induced toxicity to the kidneys.

Pain relief

Mangosteen fruit contains oxygenated and prenylated phenol derivatives, such as xanthones which has effective pain relieving properties. In a study, Mangosteen contains compounds with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.

Anti-cancer and anti-tumor

According to a study mangosteen fruit helps in repression of tumor growth and the reduction of their sizes. These results demonstrate the potential of mangosteen xanthones to serve as anti-cancer agents for the chemotherapy of cancer.

In another study,  α -Mangostin, a natural product isolated from the pericarp of the mangosteen fruit helps to suppress the proliferation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells.

Another study has found mangosteen fruit potential in inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells.

A study has shown that mangosteen strongly inhibits a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line.

Prevent diabetes or insulin resistance

Insulin resistance (IR) is  a condition in which cells fail to respond to the normal actions of the hormone insulin. The body produces insulin, but the cells in the body become resistant to insulin and are unable to use it as effectively, leading to high blood sugar. Beta cells in the pancreas subsequently increase their production of insulin, further contributing to a high blood insulin level. This often remains undetected and can contribute to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

A study has found that compounds found within mangosteen inhibit inflammation and insulin resistance in human adipocytes.

Antiviral

According to a study ,Mangosteen and Licorice contain compounds, alpha-mangostin and 18-beta-glyceryrrrhetinic acid, respectively, which confer resistance to rotavirus infection. Rotavirus causes acute gastroenteritis, which can lead to severe diarrhea and vomiting, among infants and children worldwide. Intake of mangosteen helps to prevent such infections.

Another study has shown that mangosteen seedcases contains potent neuraminidase inhibitory activity. That helps in treatment and prevention of influenza A and B.

Protects the body from harmful toxins

Mangosteen contains many phenolic compounds that helps to protect protection to the cells against harmful agents and oxidative damage. A study indicates that mangosteen contains compounds with antioxidant and cytoprotective properties.

Anti-bacterial and prevent acne

Mangosteen fruit rind or peel is good for skin as it is rich in antioxidants and helps to prevent acne.

According to a study, Mangosteen contains the compound alpha-mangostin which has significant antibacterial activity against acne-inducing bacteria.

In another study has shown that mangosteen contains compounds with potent free radical scavenging and anti-acne activity.

Protection against HIV Infections

In a study, Mangosteen has found to contain constituents active against HIV-1 protease.

Obesity

According to a study, mangosteen contains 13 phenolic compounds mainly including xanthone and benzophenone that helps to accumulation of fatty acid and act as  natural inhibitors of fatty acid synthase. Mangosteen may  have potential therapeutic value to treat cancer and obesity.

Good for nerve cells and brain

Intake of fruits like mangosteen helps to protect nerve cells and are capable of preserving brain function and structure. It helps to prevent neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s Disease.

According to a study, mangosteen extract has a protective effect against beta-amyloid-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and altered protein expression in neurons.

Prevent allergies and ulcers

Mangosteen act as antiallergic agent and helps to provide relief against various allergies. It also prevent and treat ulcers.

In a study mangosteen inhibits histamine and inflammatory prostaglandin E2 synthesis.

Prevent Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for several difficult-to-treat infections in humans as they are resistant to many antibiotics. MRSA is especially troublesome in hospitals, prisons, and nursing homes, where patients with open wounds, invasive devices, and weakened immune systems are at greater risk than the general public.

In a study mangosteen plants inhibit MRSA Staphylococcus A.

Antimicrobial

The fruit and leaf of the mangosteen plant contains various potent compounds that helps to prevent and treat many infectious diseases and act as anti-infective and antimicrobial agent.

In a study, the phytocompounds from mangosteen may provide promising improvements in the therapeutic approach to infectious diseases and melanoma treatment.

How to open/ cut or eat mangosteen?

It is best to open mangosteen with fingers than knife. Just squeeze using thumb on one side, and index, middle finger on the other. Once fruit rind develop crack, it allows the rest of rind open easily.

Mangosteen recipe ideas and uses

  • Enjoy mangosteen milkshake with coconut milk and honey.
  • Add fresh lemon juice and honey to mangosteen juice. Enjoy mangosteen sorbet.
  • Add them into your salad, smoothies, juices or drinks.
  • Make jams and preserves out of it.
  • Dehydrate the mangosteen rind, dry the powder and add it into smoothies, teas or take it in capsule form. Mangosteen’s xanthones are concentrated in the rind so utilize it well.
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