Is there research to suppport that this works?

Question

Mangosteen, does it work? Where is the proof that this Southeast asian fruit works to heal and act as an antioxidant?

Where is the real research to back up its claims?
No youtube videos please...

NO product pages please! I am looking for real research on this fruit! Thank you

Answer 1

No, in fact the opposite is true.
Since it has no pigmentation it has no antioxidant benefits. In fact there is NO scientific proof that it has any benefits.

According to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangosteen
"Mangosteen is typically advertised and marketed as part of an emerging category of novel functional foods sometimes called "superfruits" presumed to have a combination of 1) appealing subjective characteristics, such as taste, fragrance and visual qualities, 2) nutrient richness, 3) antioxidant strength and 4) potential impact for lowering risk against human diseases.

When analyzed specifically for its edible aril, mangosteen meets only the first criterion above, as its overall nutrient profile is absent of important content, it contains no pigmentation (correspondingly, no antioxidant phytochemicals in significant concentration) and there is no scientific evidence of aril constituents having any health properties.

Should purée or juice from the arils be infused with exocarp phenolic extracts, mangosteen juice adopts the purple color and astringency of its exocarp pigments. It is usually balanced for taste with sweeteners possibly requiring juices from other fruits."

It is funny how Einstein Freak quoted the exact same article and missed the key words "there is no scientific evidence of aril constituents having any health properties." Which makes his answer not only decptively false, but a downright lie. It is amazing how some people can be blind to what is right in front of them.

Answer 2

Mangosteen does work.

Nutrient content and antioxidant strength
Mangosteen is typically advertised and marketed as part of an emerging category of novel functional foods sometimes called "superfruits" [5] [6] [7] presumed to have a combination of 1) appealing subjective characteristics, such as taste, fragrance and visual qualities, 2) nutrient richness, 3) antioxidant strength and 4) potential impact for lowering risk against human diseases.

When analyzed specifically for its edible aril, mangosteen meets only the first criterion above, as its overall nutrient profile is absent of important content[8], it contains no pigmentation (correspondingly, no antioxidant phytochemicals in significant concentration) and there is no scientific evidence of aril constituents having any health properties.[9]

Should purée or juice from the arils be infused with exocarp phenolic extracts, mangosteen juice adopts the purple color and astringency of its exocarp pigments. It is usually balanced for taste with sweeteners possibly requiring juices from other fruits.

What Are Exotic Fruits
We all recognize the value of fruits as a source of healthy nutrition, and scientific evidence now shows that fruits can actually prevent disease and help the body to heal.




In recent years, a myriad of exotic fruits from around the world have been studied by the scientific community due to their powerful health-giving properties. The Power of 3TM contains eleven well-researched exotic fruits including Goji, Noni, Mangosteen, Acai Berry, Gac fruit, Cili, Camu Camu, Pomegranate, Sea buckthorn, Star Fruit and Papaya. For details on some of the exotic fruits found in the Power of 3TM go to the bottom of page 2.



What Are Xanthones
The Power of 3TM includes whole-fruit Mangosteen in our formula. The Mangosteen fruit, including the outer layer called the Pericarp, represents the single greatest supplier of Xanthones to be discovered in nature to date. Xanthones are a group of phytonutrients that exhibit powerful antioxidant properties. Xanthones can enhance the immune system and scavenge free radicals, while also benefiting multiple systems in the body.

Answer 3

I haven't done any recent research but I don't think anti-oxidants have been "proven" to have health benefits. In fact, I believe trials of anti-oxidants showed that they did not have benefits.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioxidant#Health_effects

"However, despite the clear role of oxidative stress in cardiovascular disease, controlled studies using antioxidant vitamins have observed no reduction in either the risk of developing heart disease, or the rate of progression of existing disease.[120][121] This suggests that other substances in fruit and vegetables (possibly flavonoids) at least partially explain the better cardiovascular health of those who consume more fruit and vegetables.[122]"



My point is basically that whether or not something is an anti-oxidant doesn't have to relate to whether or not it has a health effect, and so something can be an anti-oxidant, but not heal.

Answer 4

I doubt it works since I have never heard of it.

If it really worked like they say, people would have heard about it and it would be well known. It's not.