Facts about Mangosteen
Fruit
The mangosteen, which carries a botanical name of Garcinia
mangostana is a tropical plant indigenous to Southeast Asian
countries and the Malay Archipelago. Many believed that the unique
and exquisite flavor of mangosteen fruit had delighted the Queen of
England that she called it "Queen of Fruits".
The mangosteen tree can grow to between 20 and 82 feet tall,
featuring dark-brown, flaking bark. The leaves of the mangosteen are
elliptic, thick and leathery, deep-green, fairly glossy on top and
yellowish-green beneath. The flowers of the mangosteen are 1 1/2 to
2 inch wide. The pericarp of ripe mangosteen is dark reddish purple
in color. The aromatic flesh is creamy and sweet, with a little
peach-like flavor. It is tightly related to some other edible exotic
fruits like lemon drop mangosteen and button mangosteen.
Health Benefits of Eating Mangosteens
- As the pericarp of mangosteen consists of numerous compounds, it is
regarded as an antioxidant. In clinical studies, mangosteen has
xanthones, which have anti-cancer effects. Some other health
benefits include its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and
antifungal properties.
- Succulent, juicy mangosteen is among the well-known fruit that have
a remarkable amount of essential nutrients important for regular
development and growth as well as general dietary well-being.
- The fruit is extremely low in calories, has no cholesterol or
saturated fats, but full of fibers (13% of RDA in each 100 g) which
is often essential for those who are worried about gaining excess
weight.
- Mangosteens are rich in vitamin C; supplies around 12% of RDA in
each 100 g. Ascorbic Acid is a strong water soluble antioxidant.
Intake of fruits full of vitamin C aids your body build resistance
to combat flu-like infectious agents and eliminate damaging,
pro-inflammatory free radicals.
- Fresh mangosteens are an extremely excellent source of B-complex
vitamins like thiamin (vitamin B1), niacin (vitamin B3) and folates
(vitamin B9). All these vitamins functions as cofactors, which
usually useful to help our body system to metabolize fats, proteins
and carbohydrates.
- Mangosteens have a great amount of minerals such as potassium,
magnesium and manganese. Potassium in an essential component that
helps manage heartbeat and blood pressure; thereby provides
protection against coronary heart disease and stroke.
How to Choose and Buy Mangosteens?
- Check mangosteens for bruising. When selecting the fruit, pick ones
that appear to be good on the exterior. Examine for bruising to
ascertain if the fruit remains fresh.
- Press the pericarp of the
mangosteen using your finger. If you find the skin too soft, the
fruit are probably not fresh.
- Try to find mangosteen that is firm
but not too tough.
- Check out the number of pieces in the mangosteen. There is a simple
trick to find this out. Turn the mangosteen upside down. You are
going to come across a flower-like spot at the center of the
mangosteen. Count the number of the petals on the flower. The amount
is equal to the amount of pieces in the fruit.
How to Store Mangosteens?
- Store mangosteens at normal room temperature and consume in a couple
of days. Also, you need to keep in mind that unlike mangos,
mangosteens must not be frozen.
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