Jewel of the Tropics

Jewel of the Tropics

By Julia F. Morton

The mangosteen has often been called one of the best tasting fruits in the world.  Originally found in certain parts of Asia, mangosteens can now also be found in Northern Australia, Brazil, Burma, Central America, Hawaii, Southern India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and other tropical areas.  Mangosteens have a universal appeal because of their quality in colour, shape and flavour.  Due to this tropical fruit’s popularity demand often exceeds supply.

The combination of a beautiful deep purple outer colouring, an interesting persimmon like shape and delicate, enticing flavour ranks the mangosteen above other fruit of the Asiatic tropics.  The soft flesh resembles a bright white tangerine and has a rich grape-strawberry-like flavour that melts in your mouth.

Despite early trials in Hawaii, Florida and California, the mangosteen tree requires abundant moisture and has not become well acclimatized outside in North America for a limited time in container greenhouses, and one lone tree in a protected coastal location with special soil lived to produce a single fruit and then succumbed to winter cold.

The rind of partially ripe mangosteens yields a polyhydroxy-xanthone derivative called Mangostin.  The rind of fully ripe fruits contains the xanthone gartanin, 8-disoxygartanin and normangostin.

What are xanthones?

Xanthones are a class of chemical compounds similar to vitamins that help the body’s cells to function correctly and optimally. A xanthone is composed of three diamond-shaped rings that resemble part of a honeycomb.  Carbon and oxygen atoms make up the atomic backbone.

What do the xanthones in mangosteen fruit do? 

There are over 40 known xanthones in the pericarp (rind) of the mangosteen fruit. There are also polysaccharides and other active chemicals that give the mangosteen fruit its medicinal properties.  These specific medicinal components work for:

-         Inhibit swelling, tenderness, edema and pain

-         Stop the harmful effects of free radicals in the body

-         Inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol before it has a chance to damage the lining of an artery and cause plaque to build up

-         Inhibit growth of different types of liver cell cancers and show promise with pancreatic cancer and breast cancer

-         Exercise anti-ulcer activity and help the body overcome diarrhea and dysentery

-         Reduce the effects of allergic reactions from common allergens to anaphylaxis

-         Produce a therapeutic effect in both the treatment and prevention of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s

-         Reduce the effects of dermatitis, eczema and skin infections.

Can I get xanthones from simply eating food?

No, The pericarp (which is not usually edible) of the mangosteen is the premier source where xanthones are found in concentrated amounts.  Many scientific studies name the mangosteen pericarp as one of the main sources of xanthones in nature.  There are (so far) over 40 different xanthones in the pericarp of the mangosteen fruit.

Why haven’t I heard about xanthones before?

Xanthones are very restricted in occurrence.  The majority of natural xanthones have been found in just two families in nature - guttiferae (the family of the mangosteen) and gentianaceael.  The guttiferae family contains over 1000 known species of plants that are mainly confined to the tropics.

How effective are xanthones compared to vitamin A, C, E and other antioxidants?

Several experiments have used xanthones to protect LDL, the “bad cholesterol,” from being oxidized.  In those studies, alpha tocopherol (one of the forms of vitamin E) was used as a comparison and the xanthone was more effective than the vitamin E at preventing the oxidation of LDL. 

The edible fruit portion of the mangosteens also contains a significant amount of catechins, which have been shown to be more potent as antioxidants that even the mighty vitamin C.  Some of the benefits associated with catechins are as follows:

-         Protection against free radicals

-         Maintenance of immune system health

-         Promotion of joint flexibility

-         Provision of positive mental support

-         Cancer prevention

The mangosteen fruit is a rare nutritional find with the amazing properties that can benefit the overall health and wellness of everyone.  Taste one today and your body will thank you!

Julia F. Morton is Research Professor of Biology and Director of the Morton Collectanea, University of Miami.  She received he D.Sc. from the Florida State University in 1973 and was elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London in 1974.  She has conducted extensive field studies for the US National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense, has served as horticultural development consultant in Florida and tropical America, and since 1954,  has been consultant for the Poison Control Centers in Florida.  In 1978, she was selected as the Fist Distinguished Economic Botanist by the international Society for Economic Botany.  She served as President of the Florida State Horticultural Society in 1979.  She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fairchild Tropical Garden, Miami, and of the Board of Directors of the Florida National Parks and Monuments Association.  She is the author of 10 books and co-author of or contributor to 12 others; has produced 2 full-colour wall charts of poisonous plants; a set of Survival Cards for Southeast Asia and a 157-page report on the Survival-related Flora and Fauna of the Mekong for the US Department of Defense.  She is well known as a lecturer on toxic, edible and otherwise useful plants.