Mangosteen is a pear-shaped tropical fruit, native to Southeast Asia, that is characterized by a thin, smooth rind and dense flesh. Rind color ranges from deep red to purple when the fruit is ripe. Mangosteen is marketed primarily for its purported medicinal benefits. The fruit is mostly available as juice or puree, but it is also available in supplement form in the United States.
Habitat
Mangosteen is grown almost exclusively in Southeast Asia -- in China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Singapore. Growers in the United States, hoping to cash in on mangosteen's purported medicinal benefits, have attempted to cultivate the fruit in Hawaii, California and Florida; however, the mangosteen tree is not well-adapted to the soil in these areas.
Purported Benefits
Mangosteen fruit contains xanthones -- chemical compounds thought to have anti-oxidant properties. Anti-oxidants are substances that may inhibit the oxygenation action of free radicals -- unstable molecules in your bloodstream that require oxygen to attach to and damage healthy cells. Anti-oxidants may help prevent the formation of cancer cells caused by free-radical damage. Mangosteen fruit may also boost immune system function, helping your body to heal wounds and prevent bacterial infections.
Considerations
Although mangosteen is heavily marketed in the United States for its potential anti-oxidant and immune-system-boosting benefits, no current scientific evidence supports the use of mangosteen fruit for cancer prevention. Tests have shown this fruit to help prevent cancer only in laboratory animals, according to the American Cancer Society. Mangosteen fruit's potential to destroy bacteria has not been established in humans.
Health Risks
Mangosteen fruit is high in sugar, which can contribute to blood glucose spikes, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. If you have diabetes or hypoglycemia, check with your doctor before using any product or supplement containing mangosteen fruit. The anti-oxidants in mangosteen may inhibit the activity of radiation therapy and chemotherapy drugs. Long-term consumption of mangosteen fruit may increase your risk of lactic acidosis, a condition characterized by weakness and nausea.
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