Mangosteen is a fruit that grows in warm climates like Singapore, Malaysia, and Southeast Asia. The fruit is purple in color and about the size of an apple and was used many years ago by the locals because of its ability to cure bladder infections, diarrhea, and even gonorrhea. The reason this fruit is so amazing is because it contains many antioxidants known as xanthones. Scientists have taken these antioxidants and put them into a capsule that gives more benefit than eating the fruit raw. Though the fruit is called “Mangosteen” it is not actually related to the mango. All of the nutrients and xanthones are found in the rind of the fruit also called the pericap.

Benefits of the mangosteen capsule

Because mangosteen contains so many antioxidants it can strengthen your immune system. Mangosteen is much more effective than simply taking a Vitamin C pill because it contains more antioxidants. By strengthening the immune system you are protecting your body from harmful viruses and infections.

Taking mangosteen daily will also free your body of free radicals which dramatically reduces your risk for cancer and other diseases. This amazing capsule can even prevent dementia. Not many other capsules on the market can make this claim and have no side effects.

More benefits

Boosts energy

Prevents inflammations

Prevents pain

Prevents ulcers in stomach, mouth, and bowels

Moderate anti depressant

Prevents cancer

Anti aging

Prevents viral infections

Antibiotic

Antifungal

Protects the heart

Lowers blood pressure

Helps with weight loss

Prevents arthritis

Prevents gum disease

And that’s just to name a few. There are many more benefits to taking mangosteen capsules and you have nothing to lose, except weight, if you try this pill.

Liquid vs. Solid

Mangosteen is sold in liquid form and solid form; the liquid form is watered down and doesn’t contain the same amount of antioxidants as the fruit does. The solid form, or capsule, contains the exact same amount of antioxidants that the pericap (rind) of the fruit contains. You will benefit more from taking the capsule and you will get it at a lower price than the juice.

Taking the capsule is also more convenient than taking a bottle of juice with you where ever you go. The liquid form of mangosteen also contains additives that the capsule does not.

Where you can purchase mangosteen

Mangosteen capsules are widely known but a little hard to find, the best place to look would be online. There are many online retailers that are selling the mangosteen capsules and can give you a good deal. Make sure you do your research before purchasing your mangosteen capsules because you will want to make sure that you are getting pure mangosteen.

Of course you can try locating them in drug stores but as said earlier, they are very hard to find. Shop around to find the best price and value; mangosteen has already helped millions of people and can help you promote all around better health.

Scientists have been able to capture all the pure minerals and antioxidants of the mangosteen into a single capsule that you can take every day to promote better health and cure common ailments. Taking mangosteen everyday will help make you feel great, have more energy, and feel less tired. Make sure you only buy the capsules because, unlike the juice, the capsules contain only pure mangosteen without any fillers, or additives.

Solid and Liquid Forms

First, there are different preparations of the mangosteen extracts. There is a solid form making use of the fruit’s rind or pericarp that is processed into a pill form. Then there is the juice form, using the whole fruit. The pericarp is bitter to taste, hence the juice preparation is mixed with other pleasant-tasting fruits like pomegranate, black cherry, cranberry, bluberry, and grapes.

The pericarp of mangosteen contains the highest concentration of the anti-oxidant substances called xanthones. This is the logic behind the use of the rind in processing the solid form. The juice form makes use of the pericarp plus other parts of the fruit to maximize the health benefits which can also be derived from the fruit pulp and seeds, albeit in lower concentration.

The Processes Involved

The source of the mangosteen fruit must be put into consideration. They come from Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, etc.

Were they free of hazardous chemicals? Check with the manufacturer if they employed pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers in growing the tree. The risks of chemically-laden fruits defeat the purpose of consuming the product to benefit from its medicinal properties. The chemicals contain cancer-causing agents and other pathogens.

Are they clean? The richest source of xanthones of the mangosteen is its pericarp. In some companies, the pericarp is bought from canning companies that make use of the fruit pulp, but throw away the rind, as it is considered a waste. The mangosteen fruits they use come from different farms. The pericarp is swept off the floor and sold to other companies needing the pericarp. The cleanliness of the floor and the process how they were collected is of major concern. Would you take in supplements collected through this method?

Make sure that the manufacturer has their own farm, to ensure the consistency of the fruits, and that they have a clean collecting process. The collection of the pericarp should be prioritized. A responsible company will sort, clean and peel the mangosteens after harvesting from their own farm free of pesticides, separate the pericarp and have them transported to highly developed countries for processing.

For the juice form, the whole fruit has to undergo irradiation, as required by law, to ensure that viruses, bacteria, and pests are killed before they are transported. The exposure of your food to radiation may potentially harm your health due to the carcinogens produced, which is something you may want to think about.

In the solid form, the fruit is crushed and encapsulated using a machine. In the liquid form, the juice is prepared by pulping the whole fruit, draining the liquid, and pasteurizing the juice afterwards. In most of the commercially prepared Mangosteen juices, Mangosteen is reconstituted from mangosteen puree back into liquid form.

What is Pasteurization?

It is the process that slows down the growth of microorganisms in food. It was named after Louis Pasteur, who discovered that spoilage organisms could be inactivated in wine by applying heat at temperatures below its boiling point. It does not kill the disease-causing micro-organisms, but reduces the number of viable pathogens so they will be less likely to cause a disease.

The process uses heat, at temperatures below the boiling point. The methods are usually standardized, and governed by national food safety agencies.

Standard pasteurization involves having the product exposed to heat for a long period of time. While it prevents bacterial growth, it tends to deteriorate the nutritional value of the juice and its fresh flavour. A newer method called flash pasteurization requires shorter exposure to higher temperatures, which works best for preserving color and taste in some products.

How Does Pasteurization Affect Mangosteen Juice?

All mangosteen juices are required to undergo pasteurization. The process of pasteurization, in general, while it saves you from harmful microorganisms and extends the shelf life of the product, comes with a price to pay. It destroys the many inherent healthful properties of the mangosteen. The naturally occurring enzymes and vitamins that function as antioxidants are killed.

In addition to pasteurization, the reconstitution process of mangosteen concentrate back into liquid further diminishes the medicinal value of the fruit.

Instead of enjoying the nutritional benefits of mangosteen, you are more likely to suffer from risks brought about by the juice additives included in the production of the juice. Benzoic acid or sodium benzoate is added to prevent the deterioration of the product before it is consumed after opening. Scientific studies have shown that adding sodium benzoate to any hot bottled liquid which also contains synthetic vitamin C may cause a chemical reaction resulting to the production of benzene within the product. Benzene poses many hazards to the body, including the risk for leukemia. The pleasant taste that comes with the juice may be due to citric acid, sodium benzoate, and artificial flavours added during the manufacturing process.

With all the processes involved and the additional fruits and preservatives used in manufacturing the juice, the production cost is increased, making it the more expensive option. Would you be willing to pay for a more expensive preparation when all the important health benefits are lacking and destroyed?

First off, some basic chemistry: a xanthone is an organic compound with the molecular formula C13H8O. This means that it’s made up of the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. These three elements (CHO) make up most of the organic compounds on earth.

In mangosteen, all the xanthones are found in the outer layer or rind of the fruit (also known as the pericarp). Depending on the company and manufacturing process that they employ the general steps to harvesting the mangosteen include collecting the pericarp, grinding and drying it, and then packaging it up for consumption. Some companies sell their mangosteen in a juice format, but since all the xanthones are found in the outer layer of the fruit (which doesn’t taste very good) there is no need to go through the extra expense of juicing the pericarp and adding extra flavours/juices to make it taste half decent. A good solid form mangosteen supplement can be found by searching for the Natural Home Cures brand, they offer a supplement that’s 100% pure pericarp at a decent price.

So far, there have been over 200 different types on xanthones identified, but we refer to them collectively as xanthones. What makes xanthones so special are their antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

An antimicrobial is a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microbes such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Antimicrobials either kill microbes, in which case they are microbicidal, or prevent the growth of microbes, in which case they are microbistatic. Some common antimicrobial agents you might be familiar with include penicillin and tetracycline. While the mechanisms that xanthones use to inhibit, prevent and kill microbes aren’t exactly the same as those in pharmaceutical drugs, they are similar enough to get the job done. Often times, as is the case with mangosteen, they are tolerated by the body better than traditional drugs.

Antioxidants are all the rage these days, it seems you can’t walk into a supermarket without hearing about the benefits of these compounds. But what are they? Simply put, antioxidants are substances that stop, inhibit or impede oxidation. This is good for us because oxidation causes tissue and cellular damage in our bodies. A more complex explanation of the relationship between oxidation and our bodies: oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent (an oxidizing agent gains electrons). Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals which are atoms, molecules or ions with unpaired electrons on an otherwise open ’shell configuration’. These unpaired electrons are usually highly reactive, so radicals are likely to take part in chemical reactions which in turn damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates (which are required to continue the deleterious chain reaction), and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. As a result, antioxidants are often reducing agents which means that they lose electrons.

The last of the xanthone’s unique qualities comes from it’s anti-inflammatory properties. An anti-inflammatory is anything that combats inflammation; it really is that straight forward. Your body has many inflammation ‘procedures’ in place and for good reason. It is one of your body’s first weapons against infections and disease. Inflammation also helps to heal wounds and triggers the the proper chemical messengers to deal with trauma or injury. Think about getting a cut, your body starts an ‘inflammation procedure’ that tells certain chemicals to inflame the tissue around the cut and to start repairing the damage. Without this mechanism, and the help of several teams of cellular ‘repair men’ any nick or scratch would cause us to bleed to death. But inflammation can also be harmful. Too much inflammation, like that found in anaphylaxis, can cause severe discomfort and even death. Chronic low-level inflammation isn’t any better, it has been linked to many chronic diseases ranging from arthritis to cancer.

So now you know why xanthones are so important to us and why taking a good quality mangosteen supplement can do so much to improve your health. As I mentioned before, a good brand to check out is Natural Home Cures mangosteen. They offer a fantastic quality product for a very reasonable price. After reading this article, you are now equipped to make the right choice in supplementation and to give yourself the best health you can imagine.

You can consume a kilo of mangosteen, enjoy its sweet, delicious fleshy pulp, and yet miss out on the biggest source of its healing properties by throwing away the pericarp. It will not be a delight to eat because the pericarp is the rind or peel of the fruit with bitter taste. The nutrients from the pericarp, however, have been shown to be well-absorbed by the body.

Parts of the Mangosteen

• Pericarp- is the rind or peel which is green when unripe and purple when ripe. It measures around half-centimeter in thickness.
• Pulp- is the soft, white fleshy part that feels like something that melts in the mouth. The taste is a delicate sweet and sour blend. The acidity of the fruit is due to malic acid.
• Seeds- are usually one or two, within the pulp.

The Wonders within the Pericarp

The powerful anti-oxidants in mangosteen called xanthones, are richly concentrated within its pericarp. Xanthones are a unique class of phytonutrients found in the mangosteen fruit that has only been recently discovered to bring about good health.

More than 40 xanthones are identified within the pericarp. The presence of highly bioactive substances in mangosteen accounts for its medicinal uses.

The two well-studied Xanthones found in mangosteen are named alpha mangostin and gamma mangostin. These Xanthones have been found to have a remarkable effect on cardiovascular health. They also have natural antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, are considered to be one the most powerful antioxidants found in nature.

Mangosteen was found to have potential for the prevention of cancer due to its strong anti-proliferation, anti-oxidant and induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death) properties. Recent research on breast cancer, showed that the higher the dose of mangosteen, the more potent it is in preventing the proliferation of the breast cancer cells.

A study on alpha mangostin, a xanthone derivative, reveals that it has effects against colonic cancer, suggesting that longer exposure to alpha mangostin may result in the suppression of tumor development.

Six xanthones from the mangosteen pericarp were likewise found to have inhibitory effects on the leukemia. Among them, alpha mangostin gave the most promising results.

Gamma mangostin, another form of xanthone, is a powerful anti-oxidant that has been found to protect the bad cholesterol (LDL) from oxidation by free radicals. This means that it lessens the risks for formation of plaques that could clog the arteries and lead to heart problems. In addition, gamma mangostin lowers bad cholesterol without liver-damaging effects, unlike most anti-cholesterol drugs.

Gamma-mangostin has also been proven to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent by directly inhibiting COX-2 enzyme that is responsible for inflammation and pain.

The pericarp also contains a significant number of nutrients, such as that of vitamins, catechins, polysaccharides, and stilbenes.

In powderized form, the pericarp has been used for ages as a treatment for dysentery. In ointment form, it is an effective cure for eczema and other skin disorders.

Preparations of Mangosteen Supplements

There are two preparations of mangosteen supplements, the solid form and the liquid form. The solid form utilizes the pericarp part of the fruit, which is grounded and encapsulated. The liquid form makes use of the pericarp, and the rest of the fruit.

Proponents of the liquid form claim that using the whole fruit maximizes the health benefits from mangosteen, as xanthones are also found in the pulp, albeit in lower concentrations. Since the pericap is bitter to taste, other fruits are added, such as cranberry, grape, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, and others.

The problem now lies in the processes involved in the manufacturing of both forms. Although the solid form only utilizes the pericarp, you are assured that the amazing medicinal properties are preserved with the less destructive manufacturing processes. While in the liquid form, the pasteurization and reconstitution procedures destroy the inherent bioactive substances in mangosteen. The whole fruit has to undergo irradiation, as required by law, to kill microorganisms and pests before they can be transported to other countries for processing. The effect of radiation on the food that you eat is something to think about. Furthermore, the addition of other ingredients to improve its taste, in fact, brings more risks than benefits.

Sodium benzoate is essential for the extension of the juice’s shelf life. It prevents the product from turning rancid after it is opened. Research shows that the addition of sodium benzoate to any liquid that has ascorbic acid or vitamin C, incites a chemical reaction, resulting the the production of hazardous levels of benzene within the product. Benzene is known to cause leukemia.

The processes involved in the manufacturing of the liquid form increase its cost, making it more expensive.

The pill form, on the other hand, does not need to use preservatives to prolong its shelf life. It contains 100% mangosteen,  without putting you at risk for the hazards brought about by the preservatives.

More ingredients do not necessarily mean more nutritive value, especially if all the essential nutrients are only destroyed. That being said, the pericarp inclusion in the prepation of the solid form of mangosteen supplements should suffice.

When Taken in Tablet or Pill Form, 90% of the Mangosteen is Wasted

This is a very misleading statement.

Here’s why: there is a huge variation in mangosteen quality.

On one end of the spectrum, you have cheap mangosteen which is mass-produced and sold in supermarket chains. These supplements are made using the cheapest ingredients possible, as well as the cheapest excipients possible (excipients are what bind the ingredients together).

Because of the excipients used, the nutrients are mostly released in the stomach and thus, destroyed by the strong digestive acids present.

In the case of these supplements, 90% of the mangosteen can, indeed, end up wasted in the toilet.

On the other end of the spectrum though, there are companies that manufacture highly sophisticated supplements, often referred to as nutraceuticals. These companies use extremely expensive, all natural, potent ingredients and excipients.

Some of these nutraceuticals, due to the differences noted above, have highly sophisticated delivery systems. For example, high-end brands use excipients that ensure the nutrients are absorbed via the lining of the upper intestinal walls, allowing them to enter the bloodstream where they go to work

In short, it is dishonest for these purveyors of liquid mangosteen to try and claim that all tablet or pill forms of mangosteen have poor absorption. Comparing supermarket variety mangosteen to sophisticated nutraceuticals is like comparing apples to oranges.

Absorption of Liquid Mangosteen is 98% vs. 10% When in Solid Form

Sadly, this is also misleading.

There are only a select few ways nutrients can enter the bloodstream:

1) By injection. This must be performed by a physician or other trained individual. Compounds such as B12 or Human Growth Hormone can be introduced into the body via this route.

2) Through the mucous membranes of the mouth via a sublingual tablet or liquid. This can be a highly effective method of absorption for certain nutrients, but does not work for many others simply because many nutrients possess molecules that are too large to be absorbed via the mucous membranes.

3) Via the lining of the walls of the upper intestines. (Discussed above, this is how many of the best nutraceuticals work).

4) Via the lining of the colon walls using suppositories (suppositories are prescription items and are not applicable to supplements).

5) No specific delivery system.

It is this last category that the cheap supermarket brand mangosteen supplements and the so-called liquid multivitamin fall into.

In short, these cheap supplements and multivitamins are consumed by themselves or with water. After consumption, the vitamins enter the stomach where the majority of the nutritionally beneficial compounds are destroyed by the strong digestive acids present.

The bottom line is, the companies that market liquid mangosteen are taking advantage of the fact that most people are not equipped with an understanding of the principles behind absorption and bioavailability. These companies present their liquid mangosteen as having greater efficacy than it truly does, while at the same time “knocking down” mangosteen that comes in tablet or pill form.

In my opinion, the efficacy of liquid mangosteen is on a par that of the cheap supplements you can buy in any supermarket. Unfortunately, most of these liquid mangosteen products are not cheap at all!

Indeed, many of them command prices of 40 dollars and upwards. This is primarily due to the way these liquid mangosteen products are marketed—multi-level marketing (MLM). MLM schemes have a strong tendency to inflate the retail prices of their products because there are many levels of payment involved for those marketing them.

In my final analysis, the only real reason we can find for taking liquid mangosteen products is if you have problems swallowing pills or tablets.

If you are one of these people, then taking a liquid mangosteen product will probably be better than taking nothing at all.

So there you have it, when you’re looking for mangosteen be sure to buy it in solid form. I prefer the Natural Home Cures brand myself as I believe they offer the most Mangosteen ‘bang for my buck’. I can pay less and get more (and it’s great quality). Who wouldn’t like that!

INFLAMMATION is the primary cause of PAIN. Everyone experiences pain at one point or another. It often indicates that something is not right. Each individual is the best judge of his or her own pain; it is as if whenever a person tells there is. Pain may be mild and last just a moment, or it may be severe and last for weeks or months.

There are actually two types of pain, one is acute pain and the other is chronic pain. Surgery, broken bones, toothache, burns etc. are the usual cause of acute pain, while cancer pain, arthritis pain, neurogenic pain (pain resulting from damaged nerves) and so forth causes chronic pain. However, acute pain may eventually lead to chronic pain.

In addition, most of us also have already experience the redness, warmth, swelling, and pain that signals inflammation. It begins when white blood cells release chemicals in response to a virus and bacteria or to provide protection immediately after an injury.

PAIN and INFLAMMATION: how is it treated?

Pain may be treated in a number of ways, depending upon its severity. Following is a list of strategies on how to manage pain:

Ø Medicines – Over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen and stronger types of painkillers such as morphine are the most common strategy for relieving pain. Although these prescriptions are effective, they usually cause some side effects.

Ø Non- pharmacological approaches – heat or cold compress, massage (healing power of touch), relaxation techniques (deep breathing or progressive relaxation), mental techniques (meditation), and diversional activities (reading, chat with a friend).

If these conventional forms of pain relief are not your type, you may try various methods to achieve maximum relief and I would like to introduce the value of the tropical fruit MANGOSTEEN in relation to pain or inflammation management.

MANGOSTEEN: A Natural Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic

It is a natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic, perhaps the most powerful health product in the world today. What are the benefits of the incredible mangosteen fruit particularly in managing pain and inflammation? Find out the facts about this mysterious fruit.

Xanthones, which are very unique to the mangosteen appears to possess numerous potential beneficial properties such as, “antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, antituberculotic, antitumor, antiplatelet, Beta-adrenergic blocking and anticonvulsant” properties. More recent research has revealed that, xanthones appear to be the most nutritionally important elements in the mangosteen fruit.

Proanthocyanidins present in the mangosteen as in grape seeds and skins and pine bark extract, have numerous qualities considered to be valuable in both the prevention of disease and the restoration of homeostasis (healthful balance) when disease is present.

Its anti-inflammatory xanthones may be responsible for providing more immediate relief than any other phytonutrients found in the fruit. Also, the anti-inflammatory properties of mangosteen have been compared in strength to one of the most potent anti-inflammatory prescription drugs, Dexamethasone. Possible side effects of this prescription drug are dizziness, insomnia, restlessness, easy bruising, upset stomach and vomiting. Mangosteen has NONE of these SIDE EFFECTS!

Mangosteen also contains other benefits that are even more exciting in some ways.

A. Overall body health and wellness

§ Fatigue (may boosts energy without stimulants)

§ Aging (due to free radical exposure)

§ Immune function

§ Assists other vitamins and antioxidants

§ Allergies (may act as an anti-histamine)

B. Brain and Nerve Health

§ Parkinson’s disease (may protect neurons against damage)

§ Alzheimer’s disease (may decrease the inflammatory response to damaged neurons)

§ Nerve damage (may decrease free-radical damage, especially common in diabetes)

C. Kidney and Urinary Tract Health

§ Kidney disorders (may enhance kidney function)

§ Bladder infections (may decrease inflammation)

D. Musculoskeletal Health

§ Arthritis and joint health (may decrease inflammation, pain and joint damage associated with arthritis)

§ Headaches, Migraine headaches

§ Fibromyalgia (may relieve muscle pain, whole body inflammation, depression and anxiety)

§ Sports health (may decrease pain and inflammation following sports workout and minor injuries)

If you might have a food to aid with all of the mentioned above, why wouldn’t you? Right? However, the question now is how to decide on the right mangosteen? Will I take a mangosteen in a Liquid or Solid form? Try to look profoundly unto this table, then you decide!

Various sources on the Internet state that mangosteen in solid or powdered extract contains more beneficial xanthones than the fruit in liquid form. The pericarp is ground into a fine powder, and is typically manufactured in 515 mg capsules. Mangosteen capsules provide the purest form of mangosteen at a fraction of the cost of mangosteen fruit juices. Capsules are also more convenient for people who live an active lifestyle.

Mangosteen in Solid Forms gives you the best nourishment possible!