Mangosteen is a tropical fruit from Southeast Asia that's been given the same super-fruit status as acai or goji berries. About the size and shape of a tangerine, mangosteen is rich in antioxidants called xanthones, to which marketers attribute mangosteen's healing powers. However, MayoClinic.com warns that more studies are needed to substantiate such healing claims. XanGo markets mangosteen in personal care products and in a proprietary juice blend that contains the whole fruit.
Immune Function Boost
Colds and influenza are among the most common illnesses often treated with over-the-counter remedies. Research suggests that you may also be able to fight them a little better with mangosteen. In a study published in the "Journal of Medicinal Food," researchers found that mangosteen was able to significantly improve immune responses. However, the researchers were not sure which components in mangosteen were responsible for the immune boost.
Obesity Management
If you are obese, mangosteen's anti-inflammatory properties may be able to protect you from developing heart disease and diabetes. In a study published in "Nutrition Journal" in 2009, participants drank half a liter of XanGo mangosteen juice each day. The participants' levels of C-reactive protein -- an inflammatory substance in the body -- decreased from 1.33 mg/L to 0.9 mg/L, which researchers point out is a statistically significantly drop. None of the participants experienced any adverse reactions from drinking the juice.
Leukemia Treatment
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects nearly 260,000 Americans, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Treatment for this cancer includes chemotherapy, radiation and bone marrow transplantation. However, an in-vitro study published in the "Journal of Natural Products" indicates that six xanthones from the pericarp of mangosteen were able to inhibit growth of leukemia cells. One xanthone in particular, alpha-mangosteen, was also able to trigger leukemia cells to "self-destruct," a process called apoptosis.
Skin and Anti-aging Benefits
XanGo mangosteen pericarp oil may help you fight skin aging and other skin problems. It contains the pure essence of mangosteen, highly concentrated xanthone oil, and it suppresses inflammation and stimulates collagen production. Inflammation plays a role in skin conditions such as acne and eczema, as well as sun damage to your skin. The manufacturer also claims that Xango mangosteen can improve fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Can drinking mangosteen juice reduce arthritis inflammation and pain?
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; Effect of a Mangosteen Dietary Supplement on Human Immune Function: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial; Yu-Ping Tang, et al; August 2009
- "Nutrition Journal"; Evaluation of Mangosteen juice blend on biomarkers of inflammation in obese subjects: a pilot, dose finding study; Jay K Udani, et al; October 20, 2009
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Leukemia Facts & Statistics
- "Journal of Natural Products"; Induction of Apoptosis by Xanthones in Mangosteen in Human Leukemia Cell Lines; Kenji Matsumoto, et al; 2003
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