Health benefits of xanthones in mangosteen

The mangosteen is one of the world’s most delicious fruits. The mangosteen is an exotic fruit that comes from Asia. The fruit has many health benefits and has been nicknamed "the queen of fruits" due to its delicious taste.

Not content with its culinary virtues, many retailers are touting it as a ‘miracle fruit’, useful for treating major diseases including cancer, heart disease, stroke diabetes and arthritis and having antiviral, anti-aging, antihistamine, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Mangosteen pericarp consists of an array of polyphenols including mostly xanthones and tannins which create astringency. Mangosteen contains an abundant amount of xanthones, which are very powerful antioxidants. There is a whole family of this antioxidant, and the most dynamic of these are found in the mangosteen.

Xanthones are found in a few rain forest plants, but they are for the most part found in the mangosteen fruit, and over 40 have been identified.

The important xanthones in mangosteen are α-mangostin, β-mangostin, 3-isomangostin, 9-hydroxycalabaxanthone, gartanin and 8-desoxygartanin. These xanthones have been shown to have a variety of benefits, by supporting the immune system and are a natural antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, antiallergic, and perhaps most importantly, anti-inflammatory.
Health benefits of xanthones in mangosteen