MANGOSTEEN

What is Mangosteen?

Mangosteen is commonly pronounced as (mang'g?-sten').The proper Latin or botanical name of the Mangosteen is Garcinia Mangostana L, and the genus Garcinia is an honor bestowed upon Laurent Garcin by Linnaeus for his work as a botanist and naturalist in the 18th century.Where exactly is Mangosteen found? The mangosteen is a fruit originating in Southeast Asia. It is considered a member of the plant family Clusiaceae, although it is often in earlier works referred to as a member of the Guttiferae family. The mangosteen as a fresh fruit is in great demand in its native range and is savored by all who find its subtle flavors a refreshing balance of sweet and sour. The popularity of the mangosteen in its native range has resulted in it being planted as a dooryard or backyard tree or in small plantations and then harvested for local consumption.The wild trees are found in Borneo, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and other Asian countries where they are sought out and fruits are collected for the markets in towns of the region. The usual method is to climb the tree or use ladders to avoid letting the fruit hit the ground or be handled roughly during the harvest. The bright yellow and very astringent latex which occurs throughout the tree trunk, stems, leaves and developing fruit can enter the edible white portion of the ripe fruit with any undue pressure on the rind of the mangosteen during picking.What potential benefits could I expect to experience by consuming Mangosteen? Reminder: results may vary from person to person.Studies have shown Mangosteen: · To have over 40 different Xanthones, which are chemically beneficial molecules, each having specific leading properties. · These health promoting Xanthones help the body in so many ways - healthy foods help us age more successfully. · These free radical scavenger/fighters stop pain, reduce swelling and inflammation, and help in the body's healing process. · The "strong" antioxidants strengthen cell walls. · They kill bacteria, viruses, and fungus. · They stop the attack in DNA and even have restorative properties. · They help the body run as a complete, interrelated and integrated system. · They help the mind think better, adapt better, and give a sense of well being (anti-depressant). · They stop the damage of brain cells so they grow and divide properly and help the cell walls and the neuro transmitters function properly. · They aid with Alzheimer’s, and all forms of memory loss. · They help in the battle against degenerative diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and all forms of brain malfunctions. · They help the VISION process: cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other forms of vision loss may be prevented.Today, the Mangosteen rind has been found to contain the compounds alpha-mangostin, beta-mangostin, garcinone B, and garcinone E, which are collectively called xanthones.Laboratory studies suggest xanthones have anti-cancer effects when they are studied in test tubes. Mangosteen has also been found to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties in test tube studies.Reference: 1) http://www.mangosteen.com/2) http://www.researchmangosteen.com/ 3) http://www.pubmed.gov/