Many people have become inclined to try different types of tropical plants and fruits, and one of the most popular of these types at the present time is mangosteen or mangosteen, so what is mangosteen? What are the benefits of the mangosteen plant and fruit? Does it protect against cancer? And help in losing weight? Find out the answers to all these questions and more from the following article, in addition to some of their damages and prices in the market.

What is mangosteen?

Mangosteen or mangosteen (scientific name: mangosteen) is a plant used to make some medicines, and the mangosteen fruit is the most used part of this plant, but other parts such as seeds, leaves, and bark are also used for different purposes.

Mangosteen is a tropical fruit that has a sweet taste mixed with a mild acidic flavour. It is cultivated in Southeast Asia, but can be found in other tropical regions around the world.

This fruit is also sometimes known as the purple mangosteen, because of the dark purple color that appears on the peel when the fruit is ripe, but the inside of this fruit is usually white.

Mangosteen nutritional value

As we mentioned earlier, the fruit is the most used part of the plant, as this fruit offers many health benefits because it contains many nutrients and fiber, in addition to a large number of antioxidants, and a cup of this fruit contains or approximately 196 grams of the canned type As follows:

• 143 calories.
• 35 grams of carbohydrates.
• 3.5 grams of fiber.
• one gram of fat.
• One gram of protein.
• 9% of the amount of vitamin C that the body needs daily.
• 15% of the daily required folic acid.
• 6% of vitamin B2.
• 7% of vitamin B1 or thiamine.
• 7% of the required copper content.
• 10% of manganese.
• 6% of magnesium.

Benefits of mangosteen fruit

Benefits of mangosteen fruit include:

1- Full of nutrients

This fruit is considered a low-calorie food, but it provides many essential nutrients that the body needs, as it contains many important vitamins and minerals to maintain some basic body functions, including DNA synthesis, muscle contraction, and speedy wound healing, in addition to strengthening immunity. and transmit nerve signals.

2- Rich in antioxidants

The plant and fruit contain unique antioxidants, which help reduce the harmful effects of free radicals associated with some chronic diseases. This fruit contains an antioxidant known as xanthones, and according to some studies, this compound is responsible for some of the most important benefits of this fruit, and this compound can help reduce inflammation, but more studies and experiments are still needed.

3- A high percentage of fiber

This fruit contains a high percentage of fiber, which offers many benefits. According to some studies, a diet that contains a large amount of fiber can reduce the body’s inflammatory response, and thus prevent many diseases, but this matter still needs research. more.

4- Controlling blood sugar

Some animal studies have indicated that xanthones in this fruit can help maintain blood sugar at a healthy and normal level.

Some other studies that were conducted on some obese women also indicated that consuming a certain amount of mangosteen supplement greatly helped reduce insulin resistance and the risk of developing diabetes. This fruit contains a large percentage of fiber, as we mentioned earlier, that helps stabilize blood sugar levels.

5- Strengthening the immune system

The vitamin C and fiber present in these fruits help strengthen the immune system, as the fiber supports healthy bacteria in the gut, and the vitamin C helps improve the function of immune cells. Some elements of the plant also contain antibacterial properties that can help the immune system fight off harmful bacteria.

6- Maintaining healthy skin

Some animal studies have suggested that using mangosteen supplements can provide skin and skin protection against the skin-damaging UV rays from sun exposure. Some other studies also found that using the supplement on a daily basis increases skin elasticity and reduces the accumulation and accumulation of harmful particles on the skin, which cause skin aging, but these benefits still need more research to confirm their effectiveness and safety.

7- Maintaining the health of the heart and brain

According to a number of studies, the extract of this plant can help reduce risk factors for heart disease such as high cholesterol and triglycerides, and this extract can also help prevent any mental decline, and reduce inflammation in the brain, but most of these studies were conducted on animals And these benefits still need many proofs.

Does mangosteen help fight cancer?

Studies have shown that there is a link between following a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, such as mangosteen, and lower risk factors for cancer. The components of this plant also contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help fight and prevent the spread of any cancerous cells.

As mentioned earlier, mangosteen contains xanthones, which some experimental studies have shown can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, especially in the breast, stomach, and lungs.

Mangosteen for weight loss

A study conducted on some rats indicated that the group that was given doses of mangosteen supplements did not gain excess weight, or gained a small amount of weight, compared to the other group. Another experiment conducted on a small group of people stated that introducing an amount of mangosteen juice to the diet helped reduce the body mass index.

Although the name of the mangosteen fruit is usually associated with its ability to help with weight loss, there are very few studies that look at the relationship between this fruit and obesity, and more experiments are still needed to find out how this fruit can help in weight loss, so we advise against Eat this fruit for this purpose without consulting a doctor first to find out if it is a safe option for you or not.

How to eat mangosteen

It can sometimes be difficult to find this fruit fresh, and it is more available in canned form, or it can be available in the form of juice or supplement powder:

• In the case of fresh fruit, be sure to choose the type that has a smooth and dark skin, as this type can easily remove the skin with a serrated knife.
• The inner part of the fruit is white and full of juice. This part can be eaten raw, added to juices, or placed with fruit salad.

Mangosteen damage

Since this plant is usually available in the form of juice or powder, these images of this plant may present some health harms, including the following:

• The xanthones in herbal supplements can reduce the process of blood clotting, and this may cause health complications if you have problems with blood clotting or if you take blood thinning medications.
• When taken orally for a long time, mangosteen can cause the following side effects:
  1. constipation.
  2. Nausea.
  3. bloating
  4. vomiting.
  5. feeling tired
• There is not enough scientific evidence to support the safety of using mangosteen for pregnant and lactating women, so it is preferable not to take it without consulting a doctor first.

Mangosteen price

The price of mangosteen fruit varies from place to place, and according to the type, whether fresh or canned, but the price of fresh fruit usually ranges between 100 to 140 Egyptian pounds in the Egyptian market, and it can sometimes be purchased from online shopping sites and may reach a price of 83 USD for ten grains.