Mangosteen is a small purple fruit that grows in Southeast Asia. In recent years, news reports and internet influencers have said the fruit has a range of health benefits. It now has a reputation as a superfood.<\/p>\n
This article will outline what a mangosteen is, look at the science behind the health benefit claims, and explain how to eat mangosteen.<\/p>\n
Mangosteen is a small, purple fruit from Southeast Asia. It has a hard outer skin and sweet, white, juicy flesh. People have described its taste as a mix of lychee, peach, strawberry, and pineapple.<\/p>\n
Farmers tend to grow mangosteen in Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Thailand. In these countries, people consume it as:<\/p>\n
Fresh mangosteen is hard to find in the United States for two reasons.<\/p>\n
First, mangosteen trees need a fully tropical climate and lots of time to grow. Small farms in Hawaii and Puerto Rico, started in the 1990s, are only now starting to bear fruit.<\/p>\n
Second, fresh mangosteen can harbor quarantine pests or non-U.S. native bugs that could threaten the ecosystem. It means mangosteen importers must sterilize the fruit before it enters the country. This sometimes affects the quality, taste, or shelf life.<\/p>\n
Mangosteen has many benefits. It contains a range of compounds and substances that are good for human health.<\/p>\n
The benefits of mangosteen include:<\/p>\n
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, all fruits provide nutrients that are vital for good health.<\/p>\n
One cup of drained, canned mangosteen contains:<\/p>\n
Most fruits, including mangosteen, are low in fat, sodium, and calories, helping people maintain a moderate weight. They are also free from cholesterol, which can contribute to chronic conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n
Fruit is also a good source of nutrients that people in the U.S. often lack, such as:<\/p>\n
Antioxidants fight free radicals or harmful substances that can build up inside the body. Free radicals can contribute to health problems including:<\/p>\n
Studies have suggested that mangosteen contains antioxidants. One study from 2015 asked 30 people to drink a mangosteen-based beverage every day for 30 days. Researchers compared their blood to that of 30 people who had consumed a non-mangosteen-based drink or placebo.<\/p>\n
At the end of the 30 days, the mangosteen group had 15% more antioxidants in their bloodstream than the placebo group.<\/p>\n
Inflammation is a normal part of the immune system. It is the bodys way of removing foreign substances, like bacteria, viruses, or chemicals.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, inflammation happens unnecessarily. Other times, it continues after the body has removed the threat. Doctors call this chronic inflammation. It can contribute to health problems including:<\/p>\n
In the 2015 study outlined above, scientists found that mangosteen may also act as an anti-inflammatory. They concluded this by measuring the C-reactive protein, a substance that signals inflammation levels. Over the 30 days of the study, levels of this protein in the mangosteen group reduced by an average of 46%.<\/p>\n
Some medicines include mangosteen as an ingredient, including:<\/p>\n
It is important to note that studies on the health benefits of mangosteen have been small so far. Scientists need more research before they can be sure.<\/p>\n
The National Library of Medicine says that there is not enough evidence to say that mangosteen can help with:<\/p>\n
It also advises against using mangosteen medicines in the following situations:<\/p>\n
Mangosteen and other herbal supplements may also interact with some medications, such as liraglutide (Saxenda).<\/p>\n
People can peel the outer skin of the mangosteen and eat the wedges of fruit inside raw.<\/p>\n
However, fresh mangosteen is hard to find in the U.S. Lots of mangosteen-based products, including supplements and juices, are available for people who would like to gain the health benefits of mangosteen but have difficulty finding fresh fruit.<\/p>\n
Things to bear in mind with these products include the following:<\/p>\n
Mangosteen is a small purple fruit that grows in Southeast Asia. It is difficult to grow and import into the U.S.<\/p>\n
Studies have suggested that the fruit has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, there is not yet enough evidence to conclusively prove this.<\/p>\n
Some medicines include mangosteen as an ingredient. These include drugs for obesity and gum disease. People who are pregnant, nursing, have a blood disorder, or are about to have an operation should avoid mangosteen-based medicines.<\/p>\n
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Mangosteen: What it is, benefits, how to eat it - Medical News Today<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Mangosteen is a small purple fruit that grows in Southeast Asia. In recent years, news reports and internet influencers have said the fruit has a range of health benefits. Continue reading