Mangosteen

Mangosteen which is scientifically named as Garcinia mangostana. It comes under exotic fruits category, and tastes in sweet & sour flavor. It is a tropical fruit found in tropical region of the world but native to southeast Asia.

The fruit is mostly called purple mangosteen because it has a bright, intense deep purple color. It attains its bright color only on ripening. But its inner edible flesh has white color which is a nice contrast color. This fruit has many health benefits because of its high nutrient value and compounds like antioxidants.

There are many health benefits:

Highly Nutritious

Mangosteen is a fruit with very low calories but containing a lot of nutrition.

A 196 gram of mangosteen contain:

• Calories: 143
• Carbs: 35 grams
• Fiber: 3.5 grams
• Fat: 1 gram
• Protein: 1 gram
• Vitamin C: 9% of daily intake 
• Vitamin B9 (also called folate): 15% of daily intake
• Vitamin B1 ( also referred as thiamine): 7% of daily intake
• Vitamin B2 (also referred as riboflavin): 6% of daily intake 
• Manganese: 10% of daily intake 
• Copper: 7% of daily intake 
• Magnesium: 6% of intake

Mangosteen have vitamins and minerals that function a part in many body  mechanics such as in DNA production, fast healing of the wounds, immunity booster as well as help nerve chemical messenger at nerve joints.

It has a very powerful antioxidant profile.

This is the most significant property of mangosteen. When there is any type of disease or infection in the body, free radicals are released that have potency to make damage in the body.

Mangosteen  has nutrients such as vitamin c and folate that have these antioxidant properties. Xanthones, an antioxidant with strong power, is the uniqueness of this fruit. These Xanthones have anti-inflammatory, anticancer and solve diabetic problems. The xanthones compound in mangosteen have anti-inflammatory properties. Many test studies suggest that diseases which cause inflammation such as cancer, heart diseases can be treated by Xanthones.

As mangosteen has less calories and high fiber, fiber in our diet helps us in reduction of inflammation in the body.

High fiber fruits like mangosteen help in reducing cancer.

Xanthones, a special compound, reduce the inflammation or reduction of free radicals caused by cancer in the body. The spreading of it is checked by it.

Cancer growth in breast, stomach, colon are inhibited by Xanthones and it definitely slows the spreading to other parts of the body.

Mangosteen has a claim of reducing weight loss.

In one of the studies mice show the weight reduction who consume mangosteen supplement and there was no change control mice.

Research says that its anti-inflammatory effect on the body increases the fat metabolism which in turn reduces the weight and prevents weight gain. We can include this in our diet .

In a study on humans, people consuming mangosteen got their BMI index lowered.

Mangosteen has Fiber and vitamin C which supports the immune system by boosting it.

Fiber in the stomach helps to create an environment of good gut bacteria. And immune cells in the body use vitamin C to fight with bacteria. This fruit shows antibacterial properties which will combine with the immune system to fight with bacteria.

A study found that people who are on a mangosteen supplement have fewer markers of inflammation and a higher number of immune cells than those who are in control. The Immune system needs many nutrients which can be provided by consuming mangosteen.

Due to high fiber, mangosteen helps to balance the blood sugar.

The compound Xanthones also show in maintaining the blood sugar levels.

In diabetic people there is insulin resistance, a factor which is responsible for diabetes. By consuming mangosteen daily there is reduction in insulin resistance. This combination of fiber and Xanthones help to balance the blood sugar levels significantly.

How to eat:

• Mangosteen can be easily consumed  but its availability may be difficult.
• It is often not found and as well as it is a seasonal fruit. 
• You should look in the Market but they are quite expensive in price. The frozen and canned mangosteen are easy to find and are cheaper.
• You can found it in juice form or powered 
• Your best bet is to look for it at specialty Asian markets, but be aware that fresh mangosteen can be quite expensive. Frozen or canned forms may be cheaper and easier to find — but be mindful that canned versions often contain added sugar.
• The fruit can also be found in juice form or as a powdered supplement. Fresh ones with white inner part can be used in smoothies or in juice making. It can be used in salad. It has an incredible flavor when white part  ripens.

Conclusion:

This fruit contains many nutrients required in the body at immunity level, acts as anti-inflammatory, Xanthones Reduces cancer and diabetes. Many compounds in it are beneficial in weight loss. Consuming it is good for the body but its availability is difficult. There are no side effects of eating mangosteen. Please eat it but pregnant women, or people with some other disease should consult the doctor.