
Garcinia mangostana or mangosteen is one type of fruit that is widely found in tropical countries, such as Indonesia. This fruit is in demand by many people because it has a refreshing combination of sweet and sour flavors. Behind its delicious taste, mangosteen is also rich in nutrients that are good for health. So, what are the health benefits of mangosteen? Let’s see the full review in the following article.
Mangosteen Content
Before discussing its benefits for body health, it is important to know the nutritional content of mangosteen first. Reported from the Indonesian Food Composition Data, in 100 grams of fresh mangosteen, there are the following nutrients:
- Energy: 63 calories.
- Water: 83 grams.
- Carbohydrates: 15.6 grams.
- Fiber: 1.5 grams.
- Protein: 0.6 grams.
- Fat: 0.6 grams.
- Potassium: 61.9 milligrams.
- Phosphorus: 12 milligrams.
- Sodium: 10 milligrams.
- Calcium: 8 milligrams.
- Vitamin C: 5 milligrams.
- Iron: 0.8 milligrams.
- Copper: 0.1 milligrams.
- Zinc: 0.1 milligrams.
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 0.03 milligrams.
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 0.03 milligrams.
- Vitamin B3 (niacin): 0.3 milligrams.
Various Benefits of Mangosteen for Health
There are various benefits of mangosteen for the body that are a shame to miss, starting from maintaining endurance, helping to lose weight, relieving arthritis, to minimizing the risk of cancer. Here is a complete description.
- Maintaining Body Immunity
The first health benefit of mangosteen is that it can help maintain body immunity. This is because mangosteen is enriched with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) which can improve the performance of the body’s immune system. In addition, this fruit also contains antioxidant compounds, namely xanthones, which also have antibacterial properties so that they can help the body’s immune system fight disease-causing bacteria.
- Helps Lose Weight
The next health benefit of mangosteen is that it can help lose weight. In fact, a study shows that people who consume mangosteen juice twice a day tend to have a lower body mass index (BMI).
The reason is, mangosteen contains anti-inflammatory substances that affect the process of fat metabolism in the body. However, it is important to balance mangosteen consumption with other healthy foods and exercise regularly so that weight can be lost healthily.
- Relieves Arthritis
Because of its anti-inflammatory content, mangosteen can also be used to help reduce pain due to inflammation in the body, one of which is arthritis. The vitamin C content in this fruit is also believed to optimize the recovery process of arthritis.
- Controls Blood Sugar Levels
An equally important benefit of mangosteen is that it can help control blood sugar levels (glucose). This is because mangosteen contains fiber and xanthones antioxidants that can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Mangosteen extract is known to help increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Insulin sensitivity refers to how well the body responds to the hormone insulin, which is the hormone responsible for helping the absorption of glucose in the body’s cells to control blood sugar levels.
Therefore, there is nothing wrong with diabetics consuming mangosteen in moderation. However, further research is still needed to determine the effectiveness of mangosteen in controlling blood sugar levels.
- Maintains Digestive Health
Mangosteen is also believed to be able to maintain overall digestive tract health. The benefits of mangosteen for digestion are obtained from its fiber content which can maintain the balance of intestinal microflora (good bacteria) which play an important role in the digestive system.
- Maintaining Brain Function
Again, thanks to the xanthones content in it, one of the health benefits of mangosteen that is a shame to miss is that it can maintain brain function. This is because the antioxidant compound can increase brain cell regeneration, prevent damage and death of brain cells, and maintain electrical flow in the brain.
However, the efficacy of mangosteen has only been proven through research conducted on animals. Therefore, further research is needed to determine the benefits of mangosteen for human brain health.
- Reducing the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Mangosteen is enriched with various minerals, such as copper, potassium, manganese, and magnesium which are believed to help lower blood pressure. In addition, consuming sufficient mangosteen extract is also useful for reducing bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and increasing good cholesterol levels in the blood. This is what can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Minimizes the Risk of Cancer
The content of xanthones which are antioxidants also makes mangosteen fruit have properties to minimize the risk of cancer. This is because the antioxidant compound is able to fight the development and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Antioxidants are compounds that can neutralize damaging molecules (free radicals) that contribute to the development of chronic diseases. If the number of free radicals exceeds the number of antioxidants in the body, it can cause cell damage and inflammation.
If you want to know more about the benefits of mangosteen or suggestions for good food intake for your body’s health, don’t hesitate to consult an experienced Clinical Nutrition Specialist Doctor at Siloam Hospitals.
In addition, if you want to get healthy, appropriate food intake that suits your body condition, you can order the Healthy Catering package from the Siloam at Home service. This catering package has been adjusted by a nutritionist based on your nutritional needs and restrictions.