The inner flesh is white and very juicy when ripe. The rind is inedible but can be easily removed with a serrated knife. If you happen to score a fresh supply, choose fruits with a smooth, dark purple outer rind. The fruit can also be found in juice form or as a powdered supplement. Frozen or canned forms may be cheaper and easier to find - but be mindful that canned versions often contain added sugar. Your best bet is to look for it at specialty Asian markets, but be aware that fresh mangosteen can be quite expensive. The fruit’s season is relatively short, which often limits its availability. Mangosteen is easy to prepare and eat - though it may be difficult to find depending on where you live. Research suggests that nutrients and other plant compounds in mangosteen may support optimal digestive, heart, and brain function. It’s still too early to make definitive claims regarding mangosteen’s role in supporting brain, heart, and digestive health in humans. Though these results are promising, human studies in these areas are lacking. Fiber is essential for digestive health, and high-fiber diets help promote bowel regularity ( 1, 6). Just 1 cup (196 grams) provides about 14% of the RDI. Studies indicate that mangosteen extract helps prevent mental decline, decrease brain inflammation, and improve symptoms of depression in mice, though human studies in this area are lacking ( 27, 28). Animal studies show that mangosteen extract effectively reduced heart disease risk factors like LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol ( 24, 25, 26). Mangosteen may also have a positive impact on your heart, brain, and digestive system: Research suggests that mangosteen may increase your number of immune cells and reduce inflammation - potentially boosting immune health. Mangosteen may be a healthy choice to include alongside other nutrient-dense foods as part of a balanced diet. Your immune system requires many different nutrients to function optimally. In a 30-day study in 59 people, those taking a mangosteen-containing supplement experienced reduced markers of inflammation and significantly greater increases in healthy immune cell numbers compared to those taking a placebo ( 20).

On the other hand, vitamin C is needed for the function of various immune cells and has antioxidant properties ( 17, 18).Īdditionally, some research suggests that certain plant compounds in mangosteen may have antibacterial properties - which could benefit your immune health by combating potentially harmful bacteria ( 19). These nutrients are important for maintaining many functions in your body.įiber and vitamin C - both of which can be found in mangosteen - are important for a healthy immune system ( 1).įiber supports your healthy gut bacteria - an essential component of immunity. Mangosteen provides a variety of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber while being low in calories. Moreover, a single cup (196 grams) of this fruit provides almost 14% of the RDI for fiber - a nutrient often lacking in people’s diets ( 6). The vitamins and minerals in mangosteen are important for maintaining many bodily functions, including DNA production, muscle contraction, wound healing, immunity, and nerve signaling ( 2, 3, 4, 5). Vitamin C: 9% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI).

Mangosteen is relatively low in calories yet provides many essential nutrients ( 1).Ī 1-cup (196-gram) serving of canned, drained mangosteen offers ( 1):

Mango steen