Author: F Fleming B.Sc.Pharm, M.H
Have you been aware lately when you flip through a health magazine that there is some recently discovered exotic food being featured as the “New Super Food”? We are often being bombarded with new information and claims. From all kinds of non-native berries to green teas how do we know what foods have some beneficial medicinal qualities?
I want to comment on a fruit that I’ve recently been introduced to known as Mangosteen. Mangosteen fruit has been used since the beginning of the human race in the eastern world and has only recently been brought to light in the western world. Introduction of Mangosteen fruit to the accepting western world brought with it the designation “Queen of Fruits”
Mangosteen fruit, also known as Xango, began it’s existence in Southern Asia. This area is where Mangosteen fruit is usually grown. The fruit grows on Asian tropical evergreen trees where the temperature is relatively warm, does not grow in very cold temperatures and grows at a very slow pace. When these trees are approximately ten years old they start to produce small purplish fruits which bear no relation to the Mango. In Asia, Mangosteen fruit is viewed as the “Queen of Fruits” on account of its delicate taste and scent
The “Claim to Fame” for Mangosteen fruit originates as a abundant source of xanthones. These are phenolic compounds having potent antioxidant properties. Most people don’t know that most of the xanthones are found in the rind and outer shell, not in the fruit itself. Slick selling has promoted this exotic fruit for sale in the form of juices at ridiculous prices. On the internet I discovered 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 justified?
Wikipedia advises that when Mangosteen was examined for nutrient content, antioxidant strength and potential impact for lessening the risk against human disorders it was discovered that the overall nutrient content was absent of important content.
I am very cautious of any food items imported from China. There is a recall on children’s toys because of lead contamination, milk products have been contaminated with melamine which is a known toxin that has poisoned thousands of kids while chickens, ingesting melamine, and their eggs are likely to be contaminated.
A recent story in The National Geographic magazine advises us about the Yellow River in China being so polluted that the water is not usable. Thousands of villagers are dying of cancer and other terminal disorders because they use the water out of the Yellow River. Considering this revelation I must then ask some questions:
- If Mangosteen fruit is imported from China what are the soil conditions like where it is being grown?
- What waterways are supplying these fruits and how terribly are they contaminated?
- What toxins are we consuming into our bodies when we select these exotic products?
We tend to forget our own superfoods produced right here in our farmer’s own backyards. Enjoy blueberries, black cherries, concord grape juice, blackberries and cranberries. All of these have been proven to have abundant antioxidant properties while they lessen the risk against certain human diseases. We can buy these tasty foods certified organic which means we know that no pesticides have been used.
While you can obtain our own homegrown foods, for your family, at a fraction of the cost of Mangosteen juice you can also rest easier with the knowledge of quality coming from our own certified organic farming. My money and my families good health rests with our own superfoods!
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