Secrets of the Mangosteen By Wayne G. Geilman, Ph.D.

Secrets of the Mangosteen

By

Wayne G. Geilman, Ph.D.

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L) is regarded as one of the most delicious fruits in the world.  Known as the "Queen of Fruits," the mangosteen is grown in wet tropical regions throughout Southeast Asia.  This beautiful fruit has a thick deep red peel or hull that protects the soft white and segmented fruit inside. 

The tree itself is a slow growing evergreen that only produces fruit after six -12 years, reaching maturity at 20 years.  Due to the low fruit to husk ratio, long growing time, short harvesting season and fears concerning the spread of insect species, worldwide commercialization of this crop has been slow and the mangosteen remains an exotic and expensive fruit. 

Today’s modern food processing practices such as pulping of whole fruit and sanitary freezing and packaging have allowed mangosteen concentrates, purees and extracts to be imported into parts of the world that otherwise would have never been able to enjoy this marvelous fruit.

For centuries, native healers have used the mangosteen fruit and decoctions of the peels to treat diarrhea, cystitis, thrush, dysentery and urinary disorders, as well as to reduce pain and control fevers.

The mangosteen is loaded with xanthones, a potent class of antioxidants.  It is the major source of xanthones, with more than 40 found in the fruit and peel.  Antioxidants inhibit oxidation, or reactions promoted when oxygen combines with chemical compounds in the body.  Sunlight, chemical toxins and stress such as extreme exercise can often initiate this process.  Free radicals are formed during chemical oxidation.  Free radicals are molecules that are out of balance and as they try to become chemically balanced they often attack other molecules.  Antioxidants have the ability to stop this process that can destroy membranes, essential metabolic biochemicals and even DNA in the body.

One method for measuring the antioxidant capacity for food and supplements is ORAC or Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity.  The higher the ORAC score, the higher the number of oxygen or free radicals that can be extinguished.  The Tufts University Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging recommends that individuals consume fruits and vegetables with a combined ORAC score of 5,000 per day.  Mango•xan from Pure Fruit Technologies, the leading retail mangosteen supplement, has an ORAC score of 2,400 per one ounce serving.  

Although xanthones were isolated from the mangosteen fruit as early as 1855, it was more than a century later before the scientific community recognized their importance and began conducting studies surrounding xanthones specifically. 

Between 1979 and 2006, 38 articles outlining results of in vitro and animal studies on various components of the mangosteen have been published in scientific journals.

These published studies note the effectiveness of mangosteen extracts in fighting against microorganisms, including antibiotic resistant bacteria strains, several types of cancer cells including breast cancer and leukemia, and indicators of inflammation.  These studies lend enticing support to the observations made long ago by practitioners of traditional Asian medicine and should spur more research concerning mangosteen. 

Individuals consuming Mango•xan on a continual basis report a host of additional health benefits including reduced cholesterol levels, lowered blood pressure, improved digestion and increased energy and stamina.  The fact that people continue to purchase Mango•xan because it makes them feel better and improves their health is often not conveyed in published research.

Scientists around the world are continually looking for naturally occurring bioactive chemicals that can be attributed to eliciting a specific health benefit.  As a result, research often fixates on finding the mode of action for a single, identifiable chemical compound and often neglects the synergistic effects of whole food complexes. Bioactive chemical compounds in plants called phytochemicals often interact with each other. A good example of this is vitamin C and vitamin E.  Together they are more effective than the sum of their separate parts.    

Most mangosteen-based products on the market today are combinations of many different fruits, each with their own nutraceutical potential.  Properly trained technicians select fruit blends that will produce economical, flavorful and potent liquid supplements.  Potency of a product is one of the most critical components and studies have shown that Mango•xan is the most potent mangosteen supplement on the market. Watered down products have weakened healing potential while overly concentrated products can often produce negative results.  Selection of a properly formulated product is crucial to eliciting a favorable health response.

The growth of mangosteen-based products is truly amazing.  As research continues, additional information concerning the health benefits of mangosteen will accumulate. In the meantime, individuals can try Mango•xan ($39.95 for 24 fluid ounces) and make their own judgment about the effect it has on their health. Consumers should remember that dietary changes are often not immediate. Although some people will experience immediate results, other benefits may only surface after time.

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Wayne G. Geilman

Dr. Geilman is director of product technologies and food science at Pure Fruit Technologies, a manufacturer of healthy exotic juice supplements based in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He has extensive background in the production, marketing and distribution of food products, and has worked in the food industry as a private consultant for nearly 20 years.  Dr. Geilman served as an adjunct professor at Utah State University and he has worked as a food scientist for the Dairy Products Technology Center at California Polytechnic State University, Ridgeview Foods, Kraft and Quesos La Caperucita.  Dr. Geilman holds bachelor’s degrees in Nutrition and Food Science and Business Administration from Utah State, a master’s in Nutrition and Food Science from Utah State and a Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology from Mississippi State. 

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Mango•xan

Manufacturer: Pure Fruit Technologies     

Description: Mango•xan is a nutritional juice supplement made from the exotic mangosteen fruit and other pure fruit juices. Mango•xan is extremely high in antioxidants, specifically xanthones, and consuming one ounce per day can provide the amount of antioxidants found in three servings and fruits and vegetables and help alleviate "free radical" cell damage, increase energy and stamina, support the immune system and promote a healthy digestive system. Mango•xan contains no preservatives, added gums, pectins, artificial flavors or fillers. 

MSRP: $39.95

Sizes Available: 24 fluid ounce bottle

Availability: Sold at retail outlets throughout Canada and online at www.mangoxan.ca