There was a rumour from the 1890s that Queen Victoria would grant knighthood to anyone who brought her a mangosteen fruit. Although the rumour is most likely to be false, it was enough to earn the mangosteen the widely-accepted title “the queen of fruits”.
Scientific name: Garcinia mangostana.
Table of Contents
Best time for mangosteen
Mangosteen in Sri Lanka
Between May and September, you will be able to find mangosteen in Sri Lanka. Matale, Galle, Kalutara, Gampaha, Kegalle and Kandy that well-known for growing this delicious fruit. You can also find them in abundance in Colombo when they are in season.
I was in Colombo during its season and my weekly fruit basket always had several of these.
Mangosteen in Malaysia
Season: June to August
Mangosteen in India
Season: April to June – The best time
Mangosteen in Thailand
Season: April to December
Mangosteen in Philippines
Season: August to October
You should be able to squeeze the mangosteen equally from all sides. If it’s hard on one side then it’s not a good mangosteen
Mangosteen Fruit BUYING TIP
Eating Mangosteen Fruit
It is not difficult to open the fruit. Just press firmly on the outside of the shell and twist until it cracks revealing the sweet fleshy cloves of Mangosteen. The taste is so addictive.
The inside should be firm and white. If it’s yellow then throw it away. Also if the fruit is leaking or oozing, then it’s going off and you shouldn’t eat it.
Top 5 Health Benefits of Mangosteen Fruit
Please note that these benefits are backed by scientific studies and sources are included at the bottom.
Mangosteen is not known to cause any harm, however, this is when it’s eaten as a fruit and not in other forms such as extracts, powders and juices.
1.) Boosts immunity and has anti-inflammatory
The xanthones along with vitamin C found in abundance in mangosteen improves the immune system.
This double-blind study found that compounds in mangosteen reduced markers of inflammation and showed an increase in healthy immune cell numbers compared to a placebo.
2.) Rich in antioxidants, anti-ageing properties and for better skin
Scientific Research has revealed that Mangosteen contains a class of naturally occurring polyphenol compounds known as xanthones. Xanthones and their derivatives have been shown to have several benefits, including being anti-inflammatory.
Mangosteen is filled with antioxidants such as catechin (the same antioxidant found in green tea). This helps in fighting free radicals. These antioxidants help protect the skin’s surface from oxidative damage caused by UV and pollution.
Studies on humans have shown that Mangosteen extract can help with the elasticity of the skin.
3.) Possible anticancer effects
The antioxidant activity of oxygenated and prenylated xanthone has resulted in anti-cancer effects. – Source.
Xanthones from mangosteen extracts act as natural chemopreventive agents. The fruit is loaded with Vitamin C and helps decrease the damage caused by the formation of free radicals in the body.
However, none of the cancer-specific studies have been conducted on humans.
None of the cancer-specific studies have been conducted on humans
4.) Supports blood sugar control
There are studies that show that Mangosteen may significantly reduce insulin resistance.
The researchers concluded that mangosteen could potentially be effective in managing obesity, and insulin resistance.
Diets high in fibre also help with blood sugar control and as a high fibre fruit, Mangosteen can help in this regard too.
5.) Nutritional from mangosteen that improve overall well-being
The vitamins and minerals in mangosteen fruit are important for maintaining many functions in the body, such as DNA production, muscle contraction, wound healing, immune system, nerve signalling and many other functions.
Mangosteen fruit nutritional highlights
- Fibre
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B9 – folate
- Vitamin B1 – thiamine
- Vitamin B2 – riboflavin
- Manganese
- Copper
- Magnesium
Mangosteen in herbal and traditional medicine
The mangosteen fruit and the peel, rind and hull are used in South Asian traditional medicine to treat skin infections, wounds, and dysentery.
Mangosteen is also believed to possess antidepressant properties.
In Chinese food therapy, mangosteen is considered “cooling”. – Great for hot weather.
Your question about mangosteen fruit
Why is mangosteen the queen of fruits?
The taste is unique and not easy to compare to any other fruits. There is a rumour from 1890 that Queen Victoria would grant knighthood to anyone who brought her a mangosteen fruit. Although the rumour is likely to be false, it was enough to earn the mangosteen the widely-accepted title “the queen of fruits”
What are mangosteen’s side effects?
Very few adverse health effects have been reported from consuming mangosteen in its whole form. This does not extend to extracts, supplements, juice or powders.
How to eat mangosteen fruit?
Just press firmly on the outside of the shell and twist until it cracks revealing the sweet fleshy cloves of Mangosteen.
Mangosteen fruit benefits
Scientific studies suggest that mangosteen possesses strong antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-microbial. Citations at the bottom of the article.
What is the mangosteen season?
April through August where it’s hottest in places where mangosteen grows.
What are mangosteen tea benefits?
Scientific studies suggest that mangosteen possesses strong antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-microbial. Citations at the bottom of the article.
Are mangosteen seeds edible?
The mangosteen fruit seeds are soft and edible and do not need to be removed. They are sometimes bitter and not pleasant if chewed.
Where does mangosteen grow best?
Mangosteen grows where it’s hot all year round. Typically close to the equator.
How do you know when to eat mangosteen fruit?
You should be able to squeeze the mangosteen equally from all sides. The outer layer should crack a little. If any one side is hard then it’s not good mangosteen.
How long do mangosteens last?
Ripe mangosteens can be kept well for 3 to 4 weeks when refrigerated.
How do you know if mangosteens have gone bad?
1.) If it is dripping juice, just throw it away
2.) The flesh inside should be white. If it’s yellowish, then it’s not fresh.
What is the biggest danger of eating mangosteen fruit?
The taste is so addictive and you’ll want more. There are no known adverse health effects from consuming mangosteen in its whole form. This does not extend to extracts, supplements, juice or powders. Speak to your physician if you are taking any Anticoagulants or have any bleeding disorders.
How to pick a good mangosteen fruit?
Squeeze the mangosteen equally from all sides. If it’s hard from one side then it’s not good mangosteen.
What can mangosteen do for the body?
The combination of xanthone and other vitamins found in mangosteen fruit possesses anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. The antioxidant in mangosteen fruits fights the free radicals present in our bodies. It should also strengthen the immune system and is beneficial for the skin.
Does mangosteen help you lose weight?
Mangosteen is nutrition-dense and contains a lot of fibre which makes you feel fuller for longer.
Is mangosteen good for diabetes?
A 26-week study in obese women found that those receiving 400 mg of supplemental mangosteen extract daily had significant reductions in insulin resistance – Insulin resistance is the biggest factor in type 2 diabetes.
Who shouldn’t eat mangosteen?
Mangosteen could slow blood clotting. Speak to your physician if you are taking any Anticoagulants or have any bleeding disorders.
Is mangosteen good for the kidney?
There is a study that indicates that xanthones (found in mangosteen) protect against lead-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Related Articles
7 Amazing Types of Bananas You Must Try in Sri Lanka
Sapodilla: An Exotic Fruit You Must Try & 5 Health Benefits
5-day Itinerary for Ethical Explores Guide to the Philippines
How to Avoid Bad Durian and Not to Be Scammed by a Durian Vendor
Sources and Resources
Meet the Mangosteen – National Geographic
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/meet-the-mangosteen
Daily consumption of a mangosteen-based drink improves in vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial – National Library of Medicine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4534161/
Effect of a mangosteen dietary supplement on human immune function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial – National Library of Medicine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19697997/
Medicinal properties of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.): A comprehensive update
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28842267/
Mangosteen Extract Shows a Potent Insulin Sensitizing Effect in Obese Female Patients: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Pilot Study – National Library of Medicine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5986466/
Mangosteen xanthone γ-mangostin exerts lowering blood glucose effect with potentiating insulin sensitivity through the mediation of AMPK/PPARγ – Science Direct
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332221011173
Xanthones from mangosteen extracts as natural chemopreventive agents: potential anticancer drugs – National Library of Medicine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21902651/
Mangosteen pericarp extract inhibits the formation of pentosidine and ameliorates skin elasticity – National Library of Medicine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26236097/
Xanthones protects lead-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) via activating Nrf-2 and modulating NF-kB, MAPK pathway – National Library of Medicine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6920509/
Evaluation of antimicrobial and antitumoral activity of Garcinia mangostana L. (mangosteen) grown in Southeast Brazil – National Library of Medicine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25229510/
0 Comments