Mangosteen Fruit – The Queen of the Fruits is a Dog

Author: F Fleming B.Sc.Pharm, M.H

Have you been aware lately when you flip through a health website that there is some recently discovered exotic food being trumpeted as the “New Super Food”? We are constantly being bombarded with new information and claims. From all kinds of non-native fruits to power drinks how do we know what items have some valuable medicinal qualities?

I want to discuss a fruit that I’ve recently been introduced to named Mangosteen. Mangosteen fruit has been used since the beginning of mankind in the eastern world while it has only recently been revealed in the western world. Introduction of Mangosteen fruit to the western world brought with it the name “Queen of Fruits”

Mangosteen fruit, sometimes referred to as Xango, began it’s existence in Southern Asia. This locale is where Mangosteen fruit is usually grown. The fruit grows on Asian tropical evergreen trees where the temperature is relatively warm, does not grow in higher temperatures and grows at a very slow pace. When these trees are approximately ten years old they begin to produce diminutive purplish fruits which bear no relation to the Mango. In Asia, Mangosteen fruit is regarded as the “Queen of Fruits” owing to its delicate taste and fragrance

The “Claim to Fame” for Mangosteen fruit comes as a  plentiful source of xanthones. These are phenolic compounds with potent antioxidant properties. Numerous people are unaware that most of the xanthones are based in the rind and outer shell, not in the fruit itself. Slick campaigning has promoted this exotic fruit for sale in the form of juices at outrages prices. On the internet I found Mangosteen juice being sold at $35.00 for a 750ml bottle. In a health food store I couldn’t believe it when I saw 1 liter of Mangosteen juice for sale at $50.00. Are these prices justified?

Wikipedia advises that when Mangosteen was tested for nutrient content, antioxidant strength and potential impact for reducing the risk against human conditions it was discovered that the overall nutrient content was absent of important content.

I am very wary of any food items arriving from China. There is a recall on toddler’s toys due to lead contamination, milk products have been defiled with melamine which is a known toxin that has poisoned thousands of kids while chickens, eating melamine, and their eggs are also contaminated.

A recent story in The National Geographic magazine advises us about the Yellow River in China being so polluted that the water is unusable. Thousands of chinese are destined to die of cancer and other terminal illnesses because they use the water out of the Yellow River. In light of this information I must then invite some questions:

- If Mangosteen fruit comes from China what are the soil conditions like at the location where it is being grown?

- What waterways are feeding these fruits and how seriously are they polluted?

- What poisons are we consuming into our bodies when we choose these exotic products?

We tend to forget our own superfoods produced right here in our country’s own backyards. Enjoy blueberries, black cherries, concord grape juice, blackberries and cranberries. All of these have been proven to contain plentiful antioxidant properties while they diminish the risk against some human diseases. We can purchase these delicious foods certified organic which means we can be sure that no pesticides have been used.

While you can take home our own homegrown foods, for your loved ones, at a fraction of the price of Mangosteen juice you can also rest easier with the declaration of quality coming from our own certified organic farming. My money and my families good health stays with our own superfoods!

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