Mangostino

Garcinia mangostana

General Information

The taste is refreshing, with hints of lychee, banana or peach. This fruit is also called ‘garcínia mangostana’, mangostino or jobo. The heritage of these tree fruit is the tropical areas of Southeast Asia, where the fruit is also called ‘queen of fruits’. In Colombia the fruit is mainly grown in the hot, tropical, valleys of the Tolima department.

The mangostino has received culinary appreciations from professional and amateur cooks around the world due to its refreshing tangy flavor. Legend has that, former Queen Victoria of Great Britain, would keep a reward price of hundred sterling pounds to whoever would be able to bring her fresh mangostino fruit.

The mangostino fruit has been proven effective in the treatment of various diseases, due to its ample availability of nutrients, fiber and unique antioxidants. This fruit disposes of one of the most potent antioxidants in nature and promotes considerable benefits, not only as anti-aging, but also for cardiovascular health, with anti-inflammatory and antibiotic effects.

A scientific study conducted between 2007 and 2012 shows that the mangostino fruit contains significant percentages of antioxidants, high levels of vitamin B1, B2, B6 and vitamin C. The PudMed base study shows that fore-named elements are of great help as a natural addition to the treatment and prevention of disease that involve cell death.

Mangostino

Latin name: Garcinia Mangostana
Family plant name: Clusiaceae
Origin: Southeast Asia

Nutrition Facts
1 servings per container
Serving size 100
Amount per serving
Calories 73
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.58g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 7mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 17.91g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1.8g 7%
Total Sugars 0g
Includes 0g Added Sugars 0%
Protein 0.41g
Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
Calcium 12mg 1%
Iron 0.3mg 2%
Potassium 48mg 2%
Vitamin B1 5%
Vitamin B2 5%
Vitamin B3 2%
Vitamin B5 1%
Vitamin B6 1%
Vitamin B9 8%
Vitamin C 3%
The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

The different benefits of the mangotino fruit:

  1. High concentration of Vitamin C

Mangostino has a high level of vitamin C, which is good for our skin and helps boosting our immune system.

  1. Rich in powerful antioxidants

Mangostina has a natural polyphenol compound known as ‘xanthones’; this special antioxidant found in the mangostino fruit gives the fruit its most significant attribute.

The majority of the different available xanthones are found in the pericarp of the fruit and in nature it helps the fruit to protect it from available dangers. Studies show, when humans consume these antioxidants can neutralize the damaging effects of potential harmful diseases. Ranging from cold, flu, inflammation, towards more severe diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

  1. High fibre content

The mangostina has a large quantity of natural (fruit) fibres which are good for our body. A balanced intake of fiber will have a positive effect on our stomach and reduce the risks of chronic diseases. The consumptions of natural fibers also reduce the rate at which sugar is absorbed in our bloodstream, hereby avoiding sudden rise of glucose levels.

  1. Boosts Heart Health

The mangostino fruit contains ample quantities of potassium, copper, magnesium, which can help to regulate our blood pressure. These available elements also help to reduce the cholesterol levels in our body. As such a regularly consumption of mangostino fruit promotes our hearth health.

  1. Anti-inflammatory properties

Upon consumption of mangostina fruit our body releases Histamine and Prostaglandin which helps in anti-inflammation processes. Inflammation are regularly the root cause of cold, flu, and increase pain in swellings.

  1. A skin caretaker

Traditionally mangostino has been used to treat acne as it suppresses the production of Cytokins in our body, which are the major contributor to acne. The earlier described xanthone component can reduces the risk of many skin diseases by helping our body to repair the damaged cells. Worried about wrinkles and sings of ageing? consume regularly mangostino.

  1. Tommy issues

Especially when the pericarp and skin of the mangostino fruit is used . It has been found effective in providing relief from diarrhea and dysentery. The fruit fiber content is good for our digestive system.

  1. Weight loss

We can eat mangostino as part of our healthy diet, as the mangostino fruit is rather low in calories (63 calories per 100 gram), has 0 saturated fats and is free of cholesterol. And at the same time, we give our body the healthy fruit fibers we need.

 

How to consume?

Mangostino can be eaten in a variety of ways. You can consume the mangostino fruit alone or it also combines well with many other fruits. You can drink it as a juice or make it a great ingredient of your smoothie. You can even decide to make it part of your culinary fantasy in either a sweet or savory dish.

How to eat?

Mangostino is easy to prepare and to eat, however be a bit careful when peeling the fruit as the skin is also used to dye leather and it could stain your cloth. You can peel of the rind and eat the white delicious flesh with your hands or use a small spoon or fork.  If you want to use it in a smoothie you may decide to put the whole fruit into your blender and as such taking maximum advantage of all the available antioxidants.