Mangosteen Juice Extract
Also known as: Mangosteen, mangosteen fruit, mangosteen juice extract, Garcinia mangostana L., Garcinia mangostana
Overview
Mangosteen juice extract is derived from the tropical fruit *Garcinia mangostana*, primarily cultivated in Southeast Asia. It is utilized as a dietary supplement for its purported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic health benefits. Key characteristics include a high antioxidant capacity, primarily attributed to bioactive compounds called xanthones, such as α-mangostin, and its potential to modulate inflammatory biomarkers. While research on mangosteen is ongoing, it is considered to be of moderate maturity, with several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and animal studies available. The quality of evidence is mixed; some well-designed RCTs exist, but many studies use mangosteen in combination with other ingredients, which can complicate the attribution of specific effects. It is categorized as a botanical extract and a fruit-derived dietary supplement.
Benefits
Mangosteen juice extract offers several evidence-based benefits. Primary effects include a significant increase in antioxidant capacity, measured by ORAC assay, showing a 15% improvement versus placebo after 30 days of supplementation. It also demonstrates a significant reduction in the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) by 46% after 30 days in healthy adults, which is considered clinically meaningful. In obese adults, mangosteen juice showed a non-significant trend to reduce CRP, with a significant difference only at the highest dose (18 oz/day) compared to control, alongside statistically significant, albeit modest, reductions in BMI and body fat at 6 oz/day. Secondary effects, primarily observed in animal studies, include improvements in blood glucose, lipid profiles, oxidative stress markers, and organ function in diabetic and obese models. Clinical trials in humans have shown increased plasma antioxidant capacity but inconsistent effects on other oxidative stress markers like MDA. Benefits are observed in healthy adults for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and in obese adults for modest anti-inflammatory and body composition improvements. Animal models of type 2 diabetes and obesity have shown promising metabolic improvements. Benefits typically manifest after 4 to 8 weeks of consistent supplementation.
How it works
Mangosteen's primary mechanisms involve potent antioxidant activity, achieved through scavenging free radicals and enhancing the body's endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), and Glutathione (GSH). Its anti-inflammatory effects are likely mediated by the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP). The bioactive xanthones, particularly α-mangostin, are key contributors to these effects, targeting oxidative stress pathways and inflammatory signaling cascades. While the absorption and bioavailability of xanthones are moderate, they can be influenced by the formulation and co-ingestion with other nutrients. Overall, mangosteen interacts with the body's systems by modulating cellular responses to oxidative stress and inflammation.
Side effects
Mangosteen juice extract is generally considered safe, with no reported adverse effects on hepatic or renal function after 30 days of consumption in human studies. Clinical trials using doses up to 18 oz/day of mangosteen juice have not reported significant side effects. There has been no observed immune suppression. Currently, there are no known significant drug interactions or contraindications reported in the reviewed studies. Special populations, such as diabetic or obese individuals, have tolerated supplementation well in both animal and human studies. While the overall safety profile appears favorable for short-to-medium term use, long-term safety data beyond 8 weeks is less extensively documented, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or those taking medications should consult a healthcare professional before starting supplementation.
Dosage
Evidence suggests that benefits from mangosteen juice can be observed at doses as low as 6 oz/day. The optimal dose range for mangosteen juice is typically between 6 and 18 oz/day, with higher doses showing more pronounced anti-inflammatory effects. Clinical trials have not reported adverse effects up to 18 oz/day, indicating this as a safe upper limit within the studied durations. Dosing is often recommended twice daily, as was used in research studies. Most of the existing evidence is based on whole fruit juice or mangosteen-based beverages rather than isolated extracts. The absorption of mangosteen's active compounds may be influenced by co-ingestion with other fruit juices or nutrients, though no specific cofactors have been identified as necessary for its efficacy. It is important to note that these guidelines are based on juice formulations, and dosages for isolated extracts may differ and require further research.
FAQs
Is mangosteen juice extract safe for long-term use?
Studies up to 8 weeks show no adverse effects on liver or kidney function, suggesting it is safe for short-to-medium term use. Long-term safety beyond this period requires further research.
How quickly do benefits appear?
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects have been observed within 4 weeks (30 days) of consistent supplementation.
Does it help with weight loss?
Some studies in obese adults indicate modest reductions in BMI and body fat at moderate doses, but it is not a primary weight loss supplement.
Is it effective for diabetes?
Animal studies show promising glucose-lowering effects, but human data are limited and further clinical research is needed to confirm efficacy in diabetic individuals.
Are isolated compounds or whole juice better?
Most clinical evidence supports the use of whole juice or mixed formulations. Isolated compounds require more clinical validation for their efficacy and safety.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4534161/ – This randomized controlled trial involving 60 healthy adults over 30 days demonstrated that a mangosteen beverage significantly increased antioxidant capacity by 15% and decreased C-reactive protein (CRP) by 46%, with no adverse effects on liver or kidney function. The study highlights mangosteen's potential as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, though its sample size was moderate and duration short.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00115/full – This four-arm randomized controlled trial with 40 obese adults over 8 weeks investigated different doses of mangosteen juice. It found significant reductions in BMI and body fat at 6 oz/day and a significant CRP reduction at 18 oz/day compared to control. The study suggests modest body composition and anti-inflammatory benefits, but its small sample size and mixed juice control complicate interpretation.
- https://japsonline.com/abstract.php?article_id=3250&sts=2 – This systematic review of animal and clinical studies found consistent increases in antioxidant enzymes and reductions in oxidative stress in animal models treated with mangosteen. While clinical trials showed increased plasma antioxidant capacity, effects on other oxidative stress markers were inconsistent. The review emphasizes the need for more clinical trials, particularly with isolated mangosteen compounds, to fully understand its human efficacy.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11479905/ – This review of animal studies indicates that mangosteen extracts significantly reduced blood glucose, improved lipid profiles, and enhanced antioxidant enzymes in diabetic and obese animal models. While promising, the review highlights that these are preclinical data, and there is a current lack of human meta-analyses to confirm these metabolic benefits in humans.
