Don't throw away mangosteen shells, they can help control blood sugar

People who love traveling to tropical countries are no strangers to the fruit "mangosteen". This unique tropical flavor has been shipped directly from Thailand and other places of production to Taiwan since last year, allowing people to enjoy it without having to go abroad. What's more worth mentioning is that Xie Ronghong, Vice Dean of the School of Nutrition at Taipei Medical University, pointed out that the mangosteen peel, which has always been considered inedible, can actually be extracted with excellent antioxidant effects andStabilize blood sugarThe "xanthones" that have a certain effect on the skin add more health value to this fruit.

In fact, fruits themselves possess the ability to protect themselves. Over the course of evolution, their shells and seeds have evolved into a series of sturdy "fortresses" to defend against pests and diseases, bacterial infections, and harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. These protective structures often contain special antioxidant compounds.

However, not all of these valuable antioxidants can be absorbed by the body through direct consumption of fruit. Take mangosteen, for example. Its durable outer skin effectively protects against various external insults. Research at the Taipei Medical University College of Nutrition laboratory further confirms that the shell and core of mangosteen are rich in xanthones, ranking first among all fruits and vegetables—a truly hidden gem.

"Oxidation is arguably the biggest threat to human aging!" Xie Ronghong emphasized. To understand the benefits of xanthones, one must first understand the effects of oxidation on the human body. In daily life, factors such as smoking, air and water pollution, radiation (such as X-rays and ultraviolet rays), pesticide exposure, chronic stress, and excessive exercise can all lead to elevated free radical concentrations in the body, a condition known as "oxidative stress."

The higher the oxidative stress, the greater the number of free radicals in the body. Numerous studies, both domestic and international, have clearly demonstrated that excessive free radicals increase the risk of various diseases, such as various cancers, cardiovascular diseases (such as coronary artery sclerosis and vascular embolism), and neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's), posing a serious threat to human health.

Xie Ronghong further explained that mangosteen is not only round and cute in appearance and pleasing in color, but also has juicy and sweet flesh. The often overlooked core and skin can be purified to produce xanthones with extremely strong antioxidant capacity, showing great potential in preventing various diseases.

OnRegulating blood sugarIn terms of health, xanthones performed even better. A research team from Taipei Medical University conducted an experiment using a mangosteen extract containing high concentrations of xanthones. After eight weeks of observation, they found that compared with the control group of mice that did not consume the extract, the three groups of mice that consumed low, medium, and high doses of the extract all showed a significant decrease in blood sugar: the low-dose group decreased by 8%, the medium-dose group decreased by 14%, and the high-dose group decreased by 25.6%. At the same time, the insulin resistance of these three groups of mice also decreased by 27.6%, 18.6%, and 30.1%, respectively. This result shows that the intake of xanthones can help improve the body's insulin sensitivity, thereby helping the body to regulate blood sugar levels normally.

"Xanthones, with their powerful antioxidant properties, can reduce the number of free radicals in the body, thereby protecting pancreatic beta cells." Xie Ronghong explained the principle behind this. Pancreatic beta cells are the key cells responsible for secreting insulin. Once these cells are damaged and become dysfunctional, they will affect the body's sugar metabolism, which may not only cause diabetes but also aggravate the condition of those already suffering from the disease.

Nutritionist Li Wanting also shared her own case. Her father's fasting blood sugar level was originally as high as over 120. After taking xanthones extract regularly for a period of time, his blood sugar level dropped significantly, which fully confirmed the actual effect of xanthones in regulating blood sugar.

Cell and animal experiments conducted at Taipei Medical University have confirmed that xanthones can regulate and control physiological indicators such as blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids, while also improving allergic reactions. Although mangosteen peel cannot be eaten directly, advances in extraction technology are expected to lead to the development of more therapeutic and maintenance products, further maximizing the health benefits of mangosteen.