Mangosteen Juice: Snake Oil or Miracle Cure?

How much would you pay if I told you that there was a product that could treat diarrhea, get rid of your migraines, give your more energy-- and possibly cure cancer? Does $35 sound like a bargain? What if I told you that this "miracle" is fruit juice, or to be more precise, mangosteen juice? For the uninitiated, a mangosteen is a tropical fruit, about the size of a small apple, with flesh that resembles that of an orange, but is said to taste like pineapple or peaches.

A quick Google search of mangosteen juice will net you a host of websites with testimonials to the miracle of this little known plant. As a juice, it has been used for centuries as a cure for dysentery. The rind of the fruit has been used as a poultice for cuts, bruises and broken bones. Newer claims tout its ability to fend off allergy attacks, viral infections, headaches, rashes and migraines. Salves made from the plant have been used to treat eczema, rosacea and acne. Perhaps the most troubling claim made by marketers of this expensive fruit juice is that it is an effective treatment for some forms of cancer.

Proponents of mangosteen juice point to its high level of xanthones-- anti-oxidants that are said to have cancer-fighting properties. What most mangosteen marketers don't mention is that many fruits and berries contain xanthones, and that most of the mangosteen's xanthones are contained in the rind and not in the juice.

According to the American Cancer Society, mangosteen juice has been shown to inhibit cancer growth in lab rats, but the study was small and has not been tested on humans. Mangosteen juice was also shown to slow the growth of bacteria and fungi, but many other fruit juices also exhibit this property. Some lab tests do show that the mangosteen may be helpful in the treatment of ance.

There are no harmful side effects from drinking mangosteen juice, but there is the risk that desperate people, or those who are looking for a natural cancer cure, will turn to mangosteen juice for serious conditions instead of following a traditional course of treatment. At an average of $35 for a 24 ounce bottle, mangosteen juice is an expensive modern day version of old fashioned snake oil.

Mangosteen juice is rich is anti-oxidants and other vitamins, but studies have not shown that it is effective as anything other than a refreshing drink. A diet rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables can have the same health benefits as a daily glass of mangosteen juice at a much lower price.