Mangosteen Benefits For Health
Health benefits of mangosteen include a reduced risk of cancer, inflammation, allergies, and diabetes. It has antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial properties which help in protecting the body against various ailments and also boosts the immune system. Mangosteen is beneficial in maintaining healthy skin, weight management, and providing relief from diarrhea and dysentery.
What is Mangosteen?
The fruit is reddish or dark purple in color. Due to its good taste, mangosteen is also known as the queen of fruits. The place of origin is not known but it is said to have domesticated in Southeast Asian countries. Thailand, Burma, India, and Vietnam are some of the countries where it was cultivated for many years. Apart from these countries, it is now grown in other Asian countries and some African countries.
Mangosteen does not have many varieties except for the one which is found in Sulu Islands. It is an ultra-tropical plant which needs humidity, rainfall, and cannot survive long periods of drought. And it cannot be grown at very high altitudes. Harvesting seasons vary on the basis of location and altitude. In India, there are two seasons for harvesting, monsoon and between April and June. In Ceylon, the fruit season is from May to July for low altitudes and for higher altitudes the fruit ripens from July to September.
It seems that the people of Southeast Asia realized the medicinal value that this fruit had a long time ago. Relying on it as a form of treatment for different medical conditions is the reason why scientists have continuously carried out studies and research to confirm these healing allegations. So far the benefits of this fruit have been proven scientifically over the past 3 decades.
Nutritional Value of Mangosteen
Mangosteen is a healthy fruit, which is rich in water, energy, protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. Essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, and manganese are found in this fruit. It contains vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and vitamin A which are required for maintaining good health. Other vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folate, folic acid, carotene, and cryptoxanthin are also found in it.
Health Benefits of Mangosteen
This queen of fruits has many health benefits, the best of which are mentioned below.
Speeds up Healing
Mangosteen, with its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, is beneficial as a medicinal drink and for quick healing of wounds. The leaves and bark of the tree can be mixed with other medicinal herbs and applied to the wounds for a faster recovery. The medicinal drink can be prepared by boiling the leaves and the bark of the tree.
Protects Heart Health
It is helpful in reducing the risk of stroke or myocardial infarction. Findings of a study indicate the cardioprotective effect of mangosteen on antioxidant tissue defense system and lipid peroxidation during a stroke.
Weight Loss
Incorporating mangosteen in the diet may be effective in weight loss. The various nutrients found in mangosteen also ensure good health and well-being.
Treats Menstrual Problems
Mangosteen root helps in regulating menstrual cycle in women.
Skin Care
The anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-allergy, and anti-oxidant properties help in reducing the risk of various conditions such as skin inflammation, skin aging, eczema, allergies, and bacterial infections. Research has been carried out to ascertain the various benefits of this fruit on skin and study suggests that mangosteen has properties which can prevent skin cancer.
Anti-cancer Properties
The pericarps of mangosteen contain xanthones which exhibit anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial effects. The xanthones inhibit the cell growth in human colon cancer and as per a research conducted by Akao Y et al., they exhibit the potential to be developed as agents to prevent cancer or can be used in combination with anti-cancer drugs for beneficial effects.
