The mangosteen has quite a few healthful properties, mainly its powerful nutrient contents of xanthones, flavonoids and fiber. In addition, these nutrients play into disease fighting capabilities such as warding off cancer and lymphatic diseases. The health benefits from the mangosteen are not found only in the fruit, but in the rind as well. The mangosteen is a fruit that thrives in the tropical climate of Southeast Asia. This small fruit is about 2 to 3 inches around with a purple rind and white fruit. In one serving of mangosteen, or 100 grams, there are 63 calories.
Xanthones
The mangosteen's rind contains a powerful phytonutrient that aids in healthy body function. A xanthone is a polyphenol that is only found in plants. Polyphenols cause the different hues in plants and possess antioxidant properties. Since xanthones contain antioxidant benefits, this makes the xanthone a free radical fighter. Therefore the xanthone helps to prevent cell damage, which can lead to cancer and increased rates of aging.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are also found in the mangosteen's rind. Flavonoids work in your body to help boost other antioxidants that help your immune system to protect your body. The mangosteen's flavonoids exhibit anti-inflammatory properties because they stop certain enzymes in your body from reacting with free radicals that can cause inflammation. Inflammation is one of the leading causes of lymphatic diseases, so the mangosteen acts as an inhibitor to such diseases of the lymph.
Fiber
One serving of mangosteen provides the body with 5.1 g of dietary fiber. Fiber helps the body by forcing waste through the colon and cleaning out any bacteria that may be found. Clearing out these bacteria lessens your risk for colon cancer. The pushing effects of fiber also help to keep you regular by softening stools and reducing constipation. In addition, fiber helps to keep blood sugar levels stable. When the body ingests food, sugars cause the blood sugar level to spike. Fiber helps to slow the absorption of the blood sugar, resulting in less of a rise in blood sugar levels.
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