Science
Mangosteen is very rich in xanthones and antioxidants. It's also a rich source of B-complex vitamins such as thiamine, niacin and folates.
To find out more about what this means, discover below.
"Mangosteen is widely considered to be the finest fruit of the world"
Bror Dahlgren, botanist
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are chemicals that fight "free radicals".
A free radical is a molecule that does not possess a full outer-shell of electrons, and thus steals an electron(s) from cells, damaging them in the process.
This can contribute to a range of human diseases. Antioxidants are molecules that give up their own electrons to help neutralise free radicals, thus offering greater protection for cells.
Free radicals come from smoke, alcohol, pollution, pesticides and heavy metals. Antioxidants include vitamin C, copper, zinc and manganese.
"There is nothing to mar the perfection of this fruit"
David Fairchild, fruit explorer
Xanthones
Xanthones rarely occur naturally, and are found in only 20 plant families, most of which are fungi. Mangosteen, however, is an abundant source of xanthones and many even take their name from the fruit.
Xanthones are compounds that, initial studies suggest, may have holistic health properties. Mangosteen has also been used as a traditional medicine in Southeast Asia for centuries.
However, as an obscure and hard to transport fruit, there is much more research that needs to be done.*
* Early research is available on the effects of xanthones: Bumrungpert et al (2010), Sakagami et al (2005), Sidahmed et al (2013), Zhongbo et al (2013), Chi-Kuan Ho et al (2002)