Mangosteen is a tropical fruit, prized for its intense, sweetly sour flavor. Like many other fruits, it can be eaten or made into juice. However, it is often promoted as a functional food (a food claimed to have health benefits) or sold as
dietary supplements. Mangosteen fruit, juice, and dietary supplements have become increasingly popular in the United States, due to increased availability of the fruit.
Mangosteen is known to contain several medicinally active compounds. These various compounds have several different medicinal properties, such as:
- Astringent properties
- Antioxidant activity
- Cancer-fighting properties
- Anti-tuberculosis properties
- Antihistamine effects
- Serotonin-blocking effects (serotonin is an important chemical messenger in the brain and other areas of the body).
However, it should not be assumed that mangosteen (which is a complex mixture of many different substances and compounds) has the same medicinal properties as its isolated compounds.
In general, there is little scientific evidence to suggest conclusively that the product really is effective for most uses
(see Does Mangosteen Work? for more information).
As with most
dietary supplements, there is no well-established standard dosage for this product, and in many situations (such as eating the fruit), a "dosage" does not really make sense at all.
Side Effects of Mangosteen
There is almost no information available about the possible side effects of mangosteen. However, one serious problem has been potentially linked to it.
(Click Mangosteen Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
There is little information available about the safety of this product. Some people may be more likely to experience problems than others. Therefore, you should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking mangosteen medicinally if you:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
(Click Is Mangosteen Safe? for more information, including any available warnings and precautions.)
What If I Take an Overdose?
It is not known what exactly to expect from an overdose of this supplement. If you think you or someone else may have taken too much, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
Storage Methods for Mangosteen
Refer to the label of your individual product for information on how best to store mangosteen. Keep all supplements out of the reach of children.
