NutriDex

The Supplement Research Compendium
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Mangosteen

Garcinia mangostana

Xanthone-rich tropical fruit, more hype than proof

Preliminary evidence 🍎Fruits

✚ Updated · How we grade evidence

Evidence tier
Preliminary
Research weight
Citations
10 verified / 10
Classification
Fruits
❝
What the evidence says. Early or small human trials; promising but not yet conclusive.

Nutrition per serving 1 cup, drained (196 g), canned in syrup

196gSERVING
  • Water 158.6 g81%
  • Sugars 31.6 g16%
  • Fibre 3.5 g2%
  • Protein 0.8 g0%
  • Fat 1.1 g1%
What's in one serving, by weight — average composition (USDA).
Fiber13%Vitamin C6%Folate15%Thiamin (B1)9%Copper16%Magnesium6%Potassium2%
One serving as % of the adult daily requirement (FDA Daily Values). The bold outer ring = 100% of a day's needs.
143 kcal0.8 g protein3.5 g fiber1.1 g fat
NutrientPer serving% daily value
Fiber3.5 g13%
Vitamin C5.7 mg6%
Folate61 µg15%
Thiamin (B1)0.11 mg9%
Copper0.14 mg16%
Magnesium25 mg6%
Potassium94 mg2%
Manganese0.2 mg9%
Riboflavin (B2)0.11 mg8%

Composition data: USDA FoodData Central ↗

What is Mangosteen?

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a fruit used for antioxidant capacity: a xanthone-rich mangosteen beverage acutely raised plasma orac by up to 60% within 1 h in healthy adults (smaller multi-ingredient liquids showed ~18%). NutriDex grades the human evidence as Preliminary. Human evidence for mangosteen is preliminary and dominated by small, often industry-linked trials of xanthone-rich juices, beverages or pericarp extracts rather than the fresh edible aril most people eat. Pharmacokinetic work confirms alpha-mangostin is absorbed (especially with a high-fat meal, though only ~2% appears in urine) and that the beverages transiently raise plasma antioxidant capacity. A few short randomized trials report lower CRP and favorable immune shifts, improved insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) in obese women, and adjunctive benefit of a topical pericarp gel in periodontitis, but sample sizes are tiny (often 10-60 participants), durations short, and several test multi-ingredient products (mangosteen combined with aloe, green tea and multivitamins) that confound attribution to mangosteen itself. There are no large outcome trials and no meta-analyses of clinical endpoints; much of the antioxidant/anticancer literature is in vitro or animal-based. The edible aril is also nutritionally modest, so claimed benefits hinge on concentrated pericarp xanthones rather than eating the fruit. Overall it is a pleasant, safe food, but marketed disease claims for mangosteen supplements outrun the human data.

Purported Benefits

✓Antioxidant capacity: a xanthone-rich mangosteen beverage acutely raised plasma ORAC by up to 60% within 1 h in healthy adults (smaller multi-ingredient liquids showed ~18%)
✓Anti-inflammatory/immune: 30-day supplementation lowered C-reactive protein and modulated immune markers (T-helper frequency, complement) in a small RCT of a multi-ingredient mangosteen product
✓Insulin sensitivity: 26-week mangosteen extract improved HOMA-IR vs behavioral therapy alone in obese women (small pilot RCT, n=20 completers)
✓Periodontal/oral health: topical pericarp gel as an adjunct to scaling/root planing improved pocket depth and gingival/bleeding indices
✓Bioavailability of alpha-mangostin: confirmed absorption and glucuronide/sulfate conjugation when taken with a high-fat meal (only ~2% recovered in urine)
✓Acne: topical alpha-mangostin nanoparticles improved lesions in a tiny 4-week split-face trial (n=10)

Dosing & Compounds

Typical Dose
1 medium fruit (~3-4 segments of edible aril, ~40-60 g flesh); studied supplement doses use ~59-245 mL xanthone-rich juice/beverage or pericarp extracts, not the fresh aril
Active Compounds
Prenylated xanthones (alpha-mangostin, gamma-mangostin) - the signature bioactives, concentrated in the pericarp/rindGarcinones (C, D, E) and gartanins - minor xanthonesTannins and procyanidins (condensed tannins of the rind)Phenolic acids and flavonoids (epicatechin; anthocyanins give the purple rind)Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) - modest amount in edible arilB vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, folate)Dietary fiber (soluble and insoluble in the aril)Minerals (potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese) in small amounts

Safety & Cautions

The fresh aril is generally safe as a food. Concern is mainly with concentrated juices/supplements: a published case of severe, refractory lactic acidosis followed daily mangosteen juice for ~12 months (possible mitochondrial electron-transport interference). Its antioxidant load may theoretically blunt some chemotherapy (anthracyclines, platinums, alkylators) and radiation, so avoid high-dose supplements during active cancer treatment. Alpha-mangostin and related xanthones can modulate several CYP450 enzymes (e.g., CYP1A2, 2C9, 2D6, 3A) in preclinical work, raising drug-interaction potential; possible additive immunosuppression with calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine, tacrolimus). Canned-in-syrup and juice products are high in added sugar - a consideration in diabetes. A theoretical antiplatelet effect warrants caution around surgery or with anticoagulants pending data. Educational only — always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining Mangosteen with any medicine.

Key Studies ★ 10 studies

Systematic review (preclinical toxicity) Setyawati 2023 ✓ Full text
Systematic review of 20 toxicity studies estimated alpha-mangostin LD50 between >15.48 and <=6000 mg/kg and NOAEL between <100 and <=2000 mg/kg, framing its preclinical safety margin
Prospective randomized controlled pilot study Watanabe 2018 ✓ Full text
26-week mangosteen extract plus behavioral therapy improved insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR -53% vs -15%) in obese women with insulin resistance (20 of 22 completed), with no attributable adverse effects
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled split-face trial Pan-In 2015 ✓ Full text
Twice-daily topical alpha-mangostin nanoparticles significantly improved acne vulgaris in a 4-week, double-blind, split-face trial of 10 patients, with minimal irritation
Clinical pharmacokinetic trial Chitchumroonchokchai 2012 ✓ Full text
In 10 healthy adults, 60 mL 100% mangosteen juice with a high-fat meal led to absorption of alpha-mangostin with glucuronide/sulfate conjugation; only ~2% of the ingested xanthone dose was recovered in 24-h urine, indicating limited urinary excretion
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial Xie 2014 ✓ Full text
A single 245 mL mangosteen-based functional beverage increased plasma ORAC by a maximum of ~60% at 1 h in 20 healthy adults, sustained >=6 h
Randomized controlled trial Kondo 2009 ✓ Full text
Acute 59 mL of a xanthone-rich mangosteen liquid (also containing aloe, green tea and multivitamins) raised plasma antioxidant capacity (ORAC) by a maximum of ~18% at 2 h, lasting >=4 h, with bioavailable alpha-mangostin
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial Tang 2009 ✓ Full text
30-day xanthone-rich mangosteen product in 59 healthy adults increased peripheral T-helper cell frequency and reduced serum C-reactive protein, with higher complement C3/C4 and IL-1alpha vs placebo
Randomized controlled trial Rassameemasmaung 2008 ✓ Full text
Topical Garcinia mangostana pericarp gel as an adjunct to scaling/root planing enhanced clinical periodontal outcomes (greater reductions in pocket depth, gingival index and bleeding on probing)
Review Chatatikun 2026 ✓ PubMed
Anti-Hyperglycemic Effects of Alpha-Mangostin in Animal Models: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Case report Wong 2008 ✓ Full text
Case report of severe, refractory lactic acidosis after ~12 months of daily mangosteen juice, hypothesized to reflect xanthone interference with mitochondrial respiration
10 sources cited · 10 verified Search all studies on PubMed ↗

Common questions about Mangosteen

What is Mangosteen used for?

Mangosteen is most often taken for Antioxidant capacity: a xanthone-rich mangosteen beverage acutely raised plasma ORAC by up to 60% within 1 h in healthy adults (smaller multi-ingredient liquids showed ~18%), Anti-inflammatory/immune: 30-day supplementation lowered C-reactive protein and modulated immune markers (T-helper frequency, complement) in a small RCT of a multi-ingredient mangosteen product, Insulin sensitivity: 26-week mangosteen extract improved HOMA-IR vs behavioral therapy alone in obese women (small pilot RCT, n=20 completers), Periodontal/oral health: topical pericarp gel as an adjunct to scaling/root planing improved pocket depth and gingival/bleeding indices. Xanthone-rich tropical fruit, more hype than proof

Does Mangosteen work — what does the evidence say?

Preliminary evidence. Early or small human trials; promising but not yet conclusive. Human evidence for mangosteen is preliminary and dominated by small, often industry-linked trials of xanthone-rich juices, beverages or pericarp extracts rather than the fresh edible aril most people eat. Pharmacokinetic work confirms alpha-mangostin is absorbed (especially with a high-fat meal, though only ~2% appears in urine) and that the beverages transiently raise plasma antioxidant capacity. A few short randomized trials report lower CRP and favorable immune shifts, improved insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) in obese women, and adjunctive benefit of a topical pericarp gel in periodontitis, but sample sizes are tiny (often 10-60 participants), durations short, and several test multi-ingredient products (mangosteen combined with aloe, green tea and multivitamins) that confound attribution to mangosteen itself. There are no large outcome trials and no meta-analyses of clinical endpoints; much of the antioxidant/anticancer literature is in vitro or animal-based. The edible aril is also nutritionally modest, so claimed benefits hinge on concentrated pericarp xanthones rather than eating the fruit. Overall it is a pleasant, safe food, but marketed disease claims for mangosteen supplements outrun the human data.

What is the typical dose of Mangosteen?

1 medium fruit (~3-4 segments of edible aril, ~40-60 g flesh); studied supplement doses use ~59-245 mL xanthone-rich juice/beverage or pericarp extracts, not the fresh aril

Is Mangosteen safe? Any cautions or side effects?

The fresh aril is generally safe as a food. Concern is mainly with concentrated juices/supplements: a published case of severe, refractory lactic acidosis followed daily mangosteen juice for ~12 months (possible mitochondrial electron-transport interference). Its antioxidant load may theoretically blunt some chemotherapy (anthracyclines, platinums, alkylators) and radiation, so avoid high-dose supplements during active cancer treatment. Alpha-mangostin and related xanthones can modulate several CYP450 enzymes (e.g., CYP1A2, 2C9, 2D6, 3A) in preclinical work, raising drug-interaction potential; possible additive immunosuppression with calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine, tacrolimus). Canned-in-syrup and juice products are high in added sugar - a consideration in diabetes. A theoretical antiplatelet effect warrants caution around surgery or with anticoagulants pending data.

How many studies support Mangosteen?

NutriDex cites 10 sources for Mangosteen, graded "Preliminary".

Cite this page
APA

Peh, D. (2026). Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects & Evidence. NutriDex — The Supplement Research Compendium. Retrieved 10 Aug 2026, from https://nutridex.info/s/mangosteen

BibTeX
@misc{nutridex_mangosteen,
  author       = {Peh, Daryl},
  title        = {Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects \& Evidence},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {NutriDex --- The Supplement Research Compendium},
  url          = {https://nutridex.info/s/mangosteen},
  note         = {Reviewed by Dr Daryl Peh, MBBS Singapore, MMed FM. Accessed 2026-08-10}
}

For medical claims, citing the underlying primary studies linked above is preferred. NutriDex is an educational reference, not medical advice.

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