Author: F Fleming B.Sc.Pharm, M.H

Have you been aware lately when you glance at a health website that there is some new exotic food being featured as the “New Super Food”? We are constantly being bombarded with new information and declarations. From all kinds of unheard of vegetables to medicinal remedies how do we know what products have some beneficial medicinal qualities?

I want to discuss a fruit that I’ve recently been introduced to called Mangosteen. Mangosteen fruit has been grown since the beginning of mankind in the eastern world and has only recently been brought to light in the western world. Introduction of Mangosteen fruit to the vast western world brought with it the reputation known as “Queen of Fruits”

Mangosteen fruit, sometimes referred to 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 resist colder temperatures and grows at a very slow pace. When these trees are about ten years old they finally start to produce small purplish fruits which are of no relation to the Mango. In Asia, Mangosteen fruit is noted as the “Queen of Fruits” owing to its delicate taste and aroma

The “Claim to Fame” for Mangosteen fruit started as a  plentiful source of xanthones. These are phenolic compounds containing potent antioxidant properties. Numerous people are unaware 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 ludicrous prices. On the internet I came across Mangosteen juice offered for sale at $35.00 for a 750ml bottle. In a health food store I was shocked to find 1 liter of Mangosteen juice selling at $50.00. Are these prices warranted?

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

I am very leery of any food items arriving from China. There is a recall on infant’s toys due to lead contamination, milk products have been compromised with melamine which is a known toxin that has poisoned thousands of kids while chickens, being fed melamine, and their eggs are also 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 people are dying of cancer and other terminal diseases because they use the water from the Yellow River. In light of this revelation I must then pose some questions:

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

- What water sources are feeding these fruits and how badly 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. Think of blueberries, black cherries, concord grape juice, blackberries and cranberries. All of these have been proven to contain excellent antioxidant properties while they lessen the risk against some human diseases. We can get these delicious foods certified organic which means we are aware that no pesticides have been used.

While you can take home our own homegrown foods, for your family, at a fraction of the price 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 health stays with our own superfoods!