What is the super-fruit Mangosteen?

Q: I’ve been hearing a lot about a super-fruit called mangosteen. What is it and should I be including it in my diet?

A: Native to South East Asia, the mangosteen fruit grows on a small, slow-growing evergreen tree. The most nutritious part of the dark purple fruit is the pericarp, or the rind. It contains the highest levels of the antioxidant family, xanthones (including Alpha Mangostin and Gamma Mangostin) which have natural anti-cancer, antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activity. If you can’t find the fruit, mangosteen juice is the next best thing. Mangosteen is also available in tea form.