It has long been suggested that many xanthones in mangosteen fruit, including α-mangostin, have anti-cancer properties, such as the initiation of apoptosis by regulating cell death pathways, suppressing cancer cell proliferation and metastasis by inhibiting anti-apoptotic molecules, and. Mangosteen is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia. It is consumed as food and as medicine. Data from in vitro and animal studies revealed that it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects against cancer cells.
Xanthones, the main components of the mangosteen fruit, have been implicated in these effects. It has not yet been studied in humans. However, despite the lack of clinical evidence, mangosteen products are marketed to cancer patients as dietary supplements. Cancer patients should be careful before consuming mangosteen products, as they can interact with cancer treatments and also affect blood sugar levels.
Mangosteen has not been shown to treat cancer in humans. Mangosteen fruits are used in traditional Southeast Asian medicine to treat skin infections, wounds and diarrhea. Laboratory studies have shown that the compounds found in mangosteen fruit are effective against bacterial and fungal infections and can reduce inflammation. Other studies have shown that mangosteen can inhibit the growth of several types of cancer cells.
There is also evidence that some compounds in mangosteen act as free radical scavengers to prevent damage caused by low-density lipoprotein (LDL), more commonly known as bad cholesterol. Skin cancers are often resistant to conventional chemotherapy, but mangosteen has demonstrated its ability to fight skin cancers naturally. A study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology examined the anticancer properties of crude ethanolic extract from the mangosteen pericarp in human squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. If this is your first time enjoying mangosteen and eating the fruit fresh, keep in mind that some sections may have hard and bitter mangosteen seeds that you will have to spit out.
Although mangosteen is a relatively unknown fruit, it should not be overlooked, as it can offer many health benefits due to its rich supply of nutrients, fiber, and unique antioxidants. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, there isn't much reliable information to indicate whether or not using mangosteen as a supplement is completely safe, so stay safe and avoid supplemental forms (such as a mangosteen capsule) of this tropical fruit. In addition, some research suggests that certain plant compounds in mangosteen may have antibacterial properties that could benefit immune health by fighting potentially harmful bacteria (1). The side effects of mangosteen when taking a mangosteen supplement may include an increased risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders).
The benefits of mangosteen include that it is rich in fiber but low in calories, as well as having a good portion of vitamin C. If mangosteen is not eaten raw or in the form of juice, it is most commonly added to smoothie recipes for a large amount of nutritional benefits.
