Mangosteen: Miracle Fruit Packed with Nutrients

Mangosteen (not to be confused with mango) is a tropical fruit with remarkable nutritional and healing powers. Relatively little known in the US and Europe, mangosteen has been used in Southeast Asia for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, from inflammation to skin conditions to digestive problems.

Mangosteen is a unique looking fruit. Round and dark purple in color, it consists of two parts, both of them edible: the thick, fleshy purple skin, or rind, and under it, several juicy white segments looking somewhat like a peeled tangerine. Mangosteen can be eaten fresh, as a dessert; its sweet taste has been described as citrusy, peachy, or a cross between grape and strawberry.

According to HEALTH NEWS International, mangosteen helps to overcome the following conditions:

• Allergies
• Arthritis
• Back Pain
• Diabetes
• Migraines
• Fibromyalga
• Chronic Fatigue
• Low Energy Levels
• Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Other sources add antitumor and cancer prevention, strengthening of immune system and blood vessels, weight loss, reduced nerve pain; mangosteen is known to work well as an antidepressant, it has a strong antiviral effect. It helps to heal ulcers, lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure. The health benefits of this miracle fruit seem to be too many to list.

So what is the secret of this funny-looking fruit? What makes it such a health-booster? The answer is Xanthones, which are powerful antioxidants. Oxygen is good for breathing, but it is not good for our cells, damaging and weakening them. As weakened cells replicate themselves, the body's immune system weakens as well, and health problems begin. Antioxidants, contained in certain foods, go to the root of the problem and fight the oxygen's damaging effects.

According to the Breakthroughs in Health magazine, "more than 200 xanthones have been identified in nature, with more than 40 of them found in mangosteen." That's more than in any other fruit.

With its proven healing and preventing powers, mangosteen is an excellent natural supplement. Mangosteen juice can be purchased in health stores; fresh fruit may be a little harder to find as it is currently not grown in the United States.