This exotic fruit is often referred to as the “Queen” of tropical fruits. Mangosteens are exotic looking, round plump and deliciously purple. Botanically it is a relative of Clusiaceae, genus: Garcinia, and scientifically named: Garcinia Mangostana. Thailand is the largest producer and exporter of mangosteens.
This beautiful fruit grows on a tree that reaches between 20-60 feet tall, growing in the rain forests of Asia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, India and Sri Lanka. The beautiful purple fruit has a light green cap atop as a crown measuring 3-7 cm in diameter. This fruit is now becoming popular in the United States for its health benefits.
What encourages you to love this piece of fruit is it contains a mere 63 calories per 100 grams. Absolutely no saturated fats or cholesterol, very rich in dietary fiber, and supplies your body with resistance against viral flu and helps scavenge harmful pro-inflammatory free radicals. With the amount of vitamin B-complex contained in this fruit assist the body metabolize carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Also an added benefit for people who have Diabetes.
An added bonus to this “Queen” of tropical fruits is the minerals it contains copper and magnesium. Potassium which helps regulate the heart rate, and lower blood pressure, protecting the body against heart attack, stroke, and coronary disease.
Through the benefits of this beautiful edible fruit, the body is protected against so many free radicals, heart disease, viral flu and so much more.
In comparing this fruit to the Garcinia Cambogia (also called Malabar Tamarind) fruit, it is very similar in shape, except its exterior color is green instead of purple, and sour taste. This fruit is generally used in the extract form. It is grown in the same regions as the Mangosteen and harvested in the same manner. The inside of both fruits resembles an orange in sections only, not color.
The Garcinia genus consists of 300 to 500 species, all growing in the same region as the Mangosteen. Garcinia Cambogia composition effectively suppresses the appetite by inhibiting lipid synthesis, which interferes with the mechanisms that produce obesity, thus inviting weight loss.
Nutritional benefits of this favorite fruit start with its ability to lower the metabolism for weight loss. The fruit is low in fat and high in fiber and water content. High in vitamin C and vitamin B. Both these fruits, since they are closely related contain almost the same nutritional values.
A few of the health benefits noted from taking Garcinia Cambogia in capsule form have been in treating such ailments as rheumatism, arthritis, digestive disorders, gum disease, tumors, not to forget worms, parasites, dysentery, and many other such ailments.
The capsule form of Garcinia Cambogia is easier for most people to consume as the acidic fleshy meat of the fruit is not usually eaten having such a sour flavor. These fruits are also sold in dried blackened form at health food stores and, of course, in capsule form as a nutritional supplement.
Checking the ripeness of these fruits is when its color is at a bright, shiny, hues of orange, red, yellow and brownish yellow when ripe at its peak. Fruit that has lost its glossy sheen and appear golden brown are past maturity stage and beneficial nutrients have been lost.
These are one of the fruits best purchased just prior to full ripeness so they can be eaten at their peak of readiness. These two fruits are becoming very popular due to their antibacterial properties. Garcinia Cambogia is also used to preserve fish in a process called “Colombo Curing.”
These fruits are also used as a condiment or added to cut-up pieces of mango chutney or garlic pickle. The use of Garcinia Cambogia is used as a food preserver due to its antibacterial properties, and the juice of the fruits is used as a lime, lemon or orange juice, alone or in combination.
Of course, for health benefits it would not be advisable to add sugar to sweeten. Possibly adding other sweet fruits or berries would cut the acidic taste. Some of the fruits that go well with Mangosteen and Garcinia Cambogia is coconut, pineapple, and oranges.
The health benefits of this family of fruits are endless, but may acquire a taste and experimental recipes, but cooking with these fruits could only enhance a person’s health.
