Frank Georgalis – Writer

Mangosteen–Asian Fruit: Healthy Teeth, Hair and skin

Mangosteen: The Fruit of the Gods

Impressed by good things I hear of The African Mango and influenced by the article I wr0te and posted on my website, I extended my research into other related fruits, so I come to you with another fruit called Mangosteen.

The tropical fruit (Garcinia mangostana), colloquially known simply as mangosteen, it grows on a tropical evergreen tree believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas of Indonesia and it bears fruit twice a year. The tree grows from 7 to 25 m (20–80 ft) tall.

 

The fruit starts out being green as the fruit enlarges over the next two to three months; the exocarp (the peel of the fruit) color deepens to darker green. During this period, the fruit increases in size until its exocarp is 6–8 centimeters in outside diameter, remaining hard until a final, abrupt ripening stage, taking the color of purple that is why the fruit is referred to the Purple Mangosteen. The fruit of the mangosteen is sweet and tangy, juicy, and somewhat fibrous, with an inedible, deep reddish purple-colored rind (exocarp) when ripe. In each fruit, the fragrant edible flesh that surrounds each seed is botanically endocarp, i.e., the inner layer of the ovary.

The edible endocarp of the mangosteen is botanically defined as an aril with the same shape and size as a tangerine 4–6 centimeters in diameter, but is white

Various parts of the plant have a history of use in folk medicine, mostly in Southeast Asia. It is believed to have possible anti-inflammatory properties, and have been used to treat skin infections or wounds, dysentery or urinary tract infections. Researchers on the photochemistry (Plant Chemistry) of the plant are still inadequate to assure the safety or scientific certainty of any of these effects. It is understood that thre are many things in doubt in some countries where their culture and the lack of monetary interests of civilized countries had slowed down civilization and records were not kept, but the belief of the people still stands very tall and very convincing. Researchers have been blocking the importation of the fruit to USA till July 2007. In the meantime the fruit was on the market for $46.00 per lb: Can anybody tell me what took place in July 2007 and the blocking of the fruit to be allowed in the USA was lifted, subject to irradiation to be under the control of Federal Food and Drug Administration. I know USA was afraid of the fruit fly, which can be very destructive in the US crops, salon On the other hand imports of related fruits with ability of harboring fruit flies, were allowed: such as Mexico; pineapples, Haiti; Mangos and different fruits and vegetables from many South American countries

 

There is a legend about Queen Victoria offering a reward of 100 pounds sterling to anyone who could deliver to her the fresh fruit. Although this legend can be traced to a 1930 publication by the fruit explorer, David Fairchild, it is not substantiated by any known historical document, yet is probably responsible for the uncommon designation of mangosteen as the “Queen of Fruit”

 

Mangosteen is packed with vitamins, especially vitamins C, B1, B2 and B6, and it is a good source of potassium, calcium and iron. The fruit itself does not travel well, so it is mostly available in the form of juice, which can be found in health food stores and produce departments in Asian markets.

 

 

Benefits of mangosteen juice

Manufacturers advertise mangosteen juice is believed to be a product that cures everything, from minor ailments to cancer. These properties of the juice have not been completely proven by researchers, but the fact is that the juice does offer significant benefits for the human health.

One of the most impartialities of mangosteen juice is its antioxidant content. By now almost everybody knows how important antioxidants are. They counteract the effects of free radicals which cause oxidative damage on the cellular and tissue levels and thus are considered to be the cause for many serious diseases.

 

Xanthenes are a specific group of antioxidants, believed to be among the most powerful antioxidant types. Mangosteen provides as much as 7 different xanthenes, from the total of 200. The problem with xanthones is that their highest concentration is found in the pericarp of mangosteen, which is not the tastiest part of the fruit. Luckily, when boiled, pericarp tastes better and the antioxidant content remains almost intact. Therefore, it is recommended to pick the juice made of all parts of the fruit, including pericarp.

 

Mangosteen fruit and its juice are believed to be highly beneficial for a number of body functions, from digestive health to eye sight, and they have antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. They also provide protection from viruses.

Mangosteen juice boosts the immune system, helps the body in fighting off infections, restores the energy levels, and improves the appearance of hair and skin and its antioxidants work on a deeper level to assure longevity and better overall health. I lived in Thailand for over three years; the truth is in the putting. Whatever Mangosteen fruit and its juice is proved by science and scientists to be highly beneficial to a number of body functions as I have stated above, I do not know, but the women here have the most beautiful hair and skin and teeth in the world and I have been around the world. Their bodies look like an artist with love for beauty has designed them and a thirty five year old person can pass, any day of the week, in the rain in the sun in the darkness for 22 year old. They are the true Shatarupa (She is the most beautiful female species in the Hindu Mythology). Tropical fruits and vegetables are their main diet including mangosteen that sells for $1.00 per lb; no wonder mangosteen fruit is called, The Fruit of the Gods

My wish is not for you to stop what you are doing pack and go to Thailand just for the improvement of your hair and skin, thinking of long healthy life span. The contribution for all the above are coming from other sources too. I don’t want to sound like the reporter who, hearing about a group of centenarians in the Greek Island of Ikaria went there to investigate along with over one hundred reporters, doctors scientists and other experts in the field. What cause of longevity in the island. Finally after much talking and asking questions of number of the centenarians and looking for answers, he stood in front of the camera with a pile of weeds and other green items, stretched on a huge table and began to tell the camera what he had found out. Pointing at the weeds he declared the reason the people live this long in the island of Ikaria was the eating of all those weeds that he counted and came to 151 kinds. Believing or not believing his lecture, I called some days later and spoke to one female centenarian named Eleni. In our course of the conversation her mother’s image came to light, who died at the ripe age of 104. Eleni continued to tell me that her sister of 102 years old is still alive and Eleni herself was pushing 101. She indicated to me that she and the rest eat those weeds, adding that she did not know the exact number and she finally said that growing old runs in the family more than the eating of 151 types of weeds, because even though everybody is eating the weeds, some die at the age 64 and 72.

I have mentioned to you about the benefits of eating mangosteen, but you must remember that some of those benefits derive from other sources.