Long revered in Southeast Asia for its taste and nutritional properties, modern science is only now catching up to what people have known for years about the health benefits of the whole mangosteen fruit.
Historically, the whole fruit was ingested or used topically to treat far-ranging and diverse conditions. Today, ongoing research continues to find health benefits associated with the mangosteen's natural plant compounds known as antioxidants.
What sets the mangosteen apart from other antioxidant-containing fruit is the unique antioxidant content of its pericarp or rind, which is the most nutrient dense portion of the fruit and contains nature’s most concentrated source of xanthones and a large concentration of flavonoids, vigorous phytonutrients.
Research shows that consuming mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) fruit in its whole fruit form (pulp and rind), enables absorption of its numerous phytonutrients, allowing for optimization of its antioxidative properties.
Flavonoids:
More flavonoids – catechins and proanthocyanidins (PCOs) – are found in the whole mangosteen fruit than in dark chocolate, grapes and blueberries.
Catechins belong to the flavan-3-ol class of flavonoids – a part of the bioflavonoid family. The catechins found in green tea are slightly more abundant in the whole mangosteen fruit, and the health benefits of catechins have been studied extensively in humans and in animal models. Science shows catechins may help maintain cartilage, cardiovascular health and respiratory systems.*
PCOs are a significant source of antioxidants that deactivate free radicals before they have a chance to harm your body. Therefore the protection from free radicals that PCOs offer helps to increase efficiency of the circulatory system and play a key role in maintaining intestinal health and cell integrity.* PCOs also may help support the immune system and promote a healthy seasonal respiratory system.*
Xanthones:
The whole mangosteen fruit delivers powerful antioxidants that contain approximately 39 different xanthones. Xanthones are biologically active plant phenols with powerful antioxidant compounds, more potent than vitamins C and E. Research shows xanthones possess properties that may:
- sustain a healthy cardiovascular system.*
- support cartilage and joint function.*
- support the immune system.*
- promote a healthy seasonal respiratory system.*
- maintain intestinal health.*
- neutralize free radicals. *
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