Mangosteen: Everything You Need To Know
Mangosteen is a tropical fruit. The fruit, the rind, the fruit juice, the twig, and the bark are all used medicinally. Mangosteen may be used to treat a range of conditions, but there is little scientific data to demonstrate that it is effective for any of them at the moment.
You will discover everything you need to know about mangosteen in this article. Continue reading!
What is Mangosteen?
Mangosteen is a tiny, purple fruit originating from Southeast Asia. It has a tough outer shell and sweet, white, juicy flesh. Its flavor has been compared to that of lychee, peach, strawberry, and pineapple.
You can find mangosteen in several different forms. You can purchase the fruit, juice, rind, twig, and bark of the tree.
The fruits are purple on the outside with white flesh on the inside. They contain a soft seed that is edible but tastes terrible so most people spit it out once they’ve finished eating the fruit.
You can purchase mangosteen in dried, frozen, and juice forms. You can also buy mangosteen supplements that contain extracts or juices from the fruit.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Mangosteen?
One way that mangosteen may be beneficial is by helping to fight infections. People also use the fruit for other purposes, such as preventing cancer and curing arthritis.
The fruit may help treat a variety of health issues, including:
Colds And Flu
Mangosteen can be used to prevent colds and flu because it contains antioxidants that reduce inflammation and promote immune health.
High Blood Pressure
Mangosteen can be used to treat high blood pressure because it contains antioxidants that lower LDL cholesterol levels and reduce blood pressure levels.
Diabetes And Heart Disease
Mangosteen can be used to prevent heart disease because it helps lower the risk of LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood sugar levels.
Cancer
Mangosteen can be used to prevent cancer because it contains antioxidants that fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
The antioxidant xanthone has been shown to kill cancer cells in a test tube, but more research is needed to determine if it works as well as other treatments currently available.
Arthritis
Mangosteen can be used to treat arthritis because antioxidants in the fruit reduce pain and swelling.
However, mangosteen isn’t as well known for treating arthritis as it is for other conditions such as cancer and high blood pressure so there’s not enough evidence to show whether or not this is an effective treatment yet. The fruit’s other medical uses aren’t well known either, but there isn’t enough evidence to show whether or not they work yet.
Other Conditions
Mangosteen can be used to treat a variety of other conditions due to the fruit and bark because it contains antioxidants and xanthones. However, more research is needed to determine if mangosteen works for these conditions too.
You can also read: How To Eat Mangosteen? 6 Health Benefits Of Eating Mangosteen
What Kinds Of Side Effects Can I Expect?
Mangosteen is considered safe for most people. However, there are some cases where it can cause side effects like:
Some of these side effects may be minor while others may require medical attention. For example, you should take mangosteen with caution if you’re taking blood-thinning medications because it can increase your risk for uncontrolled bleeding.
You should also speak to your doctor if you have pre-existing conditions. For example, mangosteen may help protect against some cancers but it can also slow blood clotting. This can be dangerous if you’re already at risk for getting cancer or if you’ve had cancer before.
Mangosteen is not recommended for pregnant women or nursing mothers due to a lack of evidence.
It’s also not safe for children, so they should avoid eating mangosteen.
How Do I Know If It Will Work For Me?
Scientific research has shown that mangosteen may be helpful for osteoarthritis pain and improving symptoms of dry eyes, but there isn’t enough information to say whether or not it works for other conditions.
In the future, if mangosteen does prove to have many medicinal benefits, it will most likely be for joint pain and osteoarthritis because that’s where there is currently a lot of evidence supporting its effectiveness.
As you read above, mangosteen isn’t recommended for everyone. For example, if you’re currently taking blood-thinning medications, mangosteen may increase your risk for uncontrolled bleeding.
Therefore, you should speak with your doctor before trying any treatments that involve mangosteen. This will help you determine whether or not it will be helpful and safe in the long term.
Additionally, if you’re pregnant or nursing, you should avoid eating mangosteen to be on the safe side.
You can also ask your pharmacist if there are any products containing mangosteen that you might be able to use even while pregnant or nursing. For example, some pharmacies carry a variety of fruit juices and supplements that may help with joint pain, but they should only be used under a doctor’s supervision.
How Do I Keep Mangosteen Fresh?
If mangosteen is stored in a cool, dry environment, it will remain fresh for up to three weeks. The reason for storing mangosteen in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it is because it has a strong flavor. As a result, because mangosteen does not have a lengthy shelf life, it is recommended that you consume it within one day of obtaining it.
Mangosteen should be stored in a firmly sealed container separate from other types of fruit and vegetables if you plan to preserve it for an extended time period.
Keep mangosteen fresh by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching the fruit, among other precautionary measures. If there are any pollutants on the fruit or in its packaging, this will help to prevent disease.
Final Thoughts
Mangosteen is a tropical fruit that has been used in Southeast Asia for thousands of years. It comes from the mangosteen tree and can be eaten fresh or processed into juice and other products like supplements, teas, and cosmetics.
You can eat mangosteen either raw, cooked, or juiced. However, even though it has a lot of health benefits, eating too much may cause nausea and diarrhea in some cases.
In addition to finding ways you can use mangosteen at home with your family, you can also speak with your doctor about whether or not you should take supplements like mangosteen extract.