Author: F Fleming B.Sc.Pharm, M.H

Have you noticed lately when you read a health website that there is some recently discovered exotic food being solicited as the “New Super Food”? We are often being deluged with new information and declarations. From all kinds of non-native berries to unheard of beverages how do we know what items have some good medicinal qualities?

I want to feature a fruit that I’ve recently been introduced to named Mangosteen. Mangosteen fruit has been consumed since the beginning of man in the eastern world while it has only recently been revealed in the western world. Introduction of Mangosteen fruit to the accepting western world brought with it the title “Queen of Fruits”

Mangosteen fruit, also known as Xango, originated in Southern Asia. This country is where Mangosteen fruit is usually grown. It grows on Asian tropical evergreen trees where the temperature is relatively warm, does not resist higher temperatures and grows at a very slow pace. When these trees are about ten years old they begin to produce small purplish fruits which bear no relation to the Mango. In Asia, Mangosteen fruit is known as the “Queen of Fruits” on account of its delicate taste and fragrance

The “Claim to Fame” for Mangosteen fruit originates as a  plentiful source of xanthones. These are phenolic compounds containing potent antioxidant properties. Most people don’t know that most of the xanthones are located in the rind and outer shell, not in the fruit itself. Slick campaigning has promoted this exotic fruit for sale in the form of juices at exorbitant prices. On the internet I found Mangosteen juice being sold at $35.00 for a 750ml bottle. In a health food store I was shocked to find 1 liter of Mangosteen juice for sale at $50.00. Are these prices justifiable?

Wikipedia advises that when Mangosteen was analyzed for nutrient content, antioxidant strength and potential impact for lowering the risk against human illnesses it was determined that the overall nutrient content was absent of important material.

I am very suspicious of any food items arriving from China. There is a recall on toddler’s toys because of lead contamination, milk products have been contaminated with melamine which is a known toxin that has poisoned thousands of young people while chickens, ingesting melamine, and their eggs are likewise contaminated.

A recent article in The National Geographic magazine talks about the Yellow River in China being so incredibly polluted that the water is not usable. Thousands of chinese are destined to die of cancer and other terminal diseases because they use the water from the Yellow River. Considering this revelation I must then invite some questions:

- If Mangosteen fruit arrives from China what are the dirt conditions like at the location where it is being grown?

- What waterways are supplying these fruits and how terribly are they contaminated?

- What poisons are we consuming inside our bodies when we buy these exotic items?

We tend to forget our own superfoods grown right here in our country’s own backyards. consider blueberries, black cherries, concord grape juice, blackberries and cranberries. All of these have been proven to contain plentiful antioxidant properties while they lessen the risk against certain human diseases. We can get these quality foods certified organic which means we know that no pesticides have been used.

While you can take home our own homegrown foods, for your loved ones, at a fraction of the expense of Mangosteen juice you can also rest easier with the assurance of quality coming from our own certified organic farming. My money and my families health remains with our own superfoods!