Author: F Fleming B.Sc.Pharm, M.H
Have you been aware lately when you glance at a health magazine that there is some new exotic food being trumpeted as the “New Super Food”? We are continually being bombarded with new information and assertions. From all kinds of non-native fruits to medicinal remedies how do we know what foods have some advantageous medicinal qualities?
I want to talk about a fruit that I’ve recently been introduced to named Mangosteen. Mangosteen fruit has been grown since the beginning of the human race in the eastern world although it has only recently been revealed in the western world. Introduction of Mangosteen fruit to the accepting western world brought with it the designation “Queen of Fruits”
Mangosteen fruit, sometimes referred to as Xango, originated in Southern Asia. This country is where Mangosteen fruit is usually grown. This fruit grows on Asian tropical evergreen trees where the weather is relatively warm, does not withstand very cold temperatures and grows at a very slow pace. When these trees are somewhere around ten years old they begin to produce little purplish fruits which bear no relation to the Mango. In Asia, Mangosteen fruit is known as the “Queen of Fruits” because of its delicate taste and fragrance
The “Claim to Fame” for Mangosteen fruit comes as a abundant source of xanthones. These are phenolic compounds with potent antioxidant properties. Numerous people don’t know that most of the xanthones are based in the rind and outer shell, not in the fruit itself. Slick marketing has promoted this exotic fruit for sale in the form of juices at exorbitant prices. On the internet I saw 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 lessening the risk against human diseases it was determined that the overall nutrient content was absent of important substances.
I am very wary of any food items coming from China. There is a recall on infant’s toys due to lead contamination, milk products have been contaminated with melamine which is a known toxin that has poisoned thousands of kids while chickens, eating melamine, and their eggs are likely to be contaminated.
A recent issue in The National Geographic magazine informs us about the Yellow River in China being so highly polluted that the water is unusable. Thousands of chinese are destined to die of cancer and other terminal illnesses because they use the water taken from the Yellow River. In light of this revelation I must then invite some questions:
- If Mangosteen fruit is imported from China what are the dirt conditions like at the location where it is being grown?
- What water sources are supplying this produce and how terribly are they polluted?
- What poisons are we consuming inside our bodies when we choose these exotic items?
We tend to forget our own superfoods produced right here in our own backyards. consider blueberries, black cherries, concord grape juice, blackberries and cranberries. All of these have been proven to contain plentiful antioxidant properties while they decrease the risk against some human diseases. We can obtain these wholesome foods certified organic which means we are aware that no pesticides have been used.
While you can buy our own homegrown foods, for your family, at a fraction of the price of Mangosteen juice you can also rest easier with the assurance of quality coming from our own certified organic farming. My money and my families good health remains with our own superfoods!
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