Xanthones are active and natural substances rarely found in fruits and vegetables and are extremely powerful antioxidants.  Scientists have identified 200 different varieties of xanthones and remarkably, 40 is found in mangosteen.  These antioxidants  travel throughout your body, literally mopping up the free radicals on their way, leaving the body cleaner and healthier than before. No other tropical fruit has been found to contain as much xanthones as mangosteen. 

Mangosteen's xanthones (alpha-mangostin and gamma-mangostin) are more potent than Vitamin C or Vitamin E.  Mangosteen also contains Garcinone-E, which researchers suggest may be useful for the treatment of certain types of cancer.  Mangosteen includes many vitamins, minerals and nutrients as well as Catechins, Stilbene, Polysaccharides, and Quinones.  

Other important xanthones found in mangosteen include:

Beta-mangostin Garcinone Garcinone A Garcinone C Garcinone D Mangostanol Gartanin

A major test recognized as the industry standard for measuring anitoxidant activity is known as Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) was developed by USDA researchers at Tufts University.  Total ORAC value measures total antioxidant strength of any substance.  A high ORAC value corresponds to high antioxidant strength.

The antioxidant power of the whole mangosteen fruit juice has an ORAC value of 17,000. In comparison, whole blueberries, a rich source of antioxidants, has an ORAC value of 61 units per gram, while pomegranates has an ORAC value of 105 units per gram.

Cells that have lost electrons are unstable cells and cause damage to healthy cells by stealing electrons from them.  Over time, the free radicals build up and cause diseases like cancer, heart disease, and more.  Environmental pollution, cigarette smoking, and radiation are some of the causes of the formation of free radicals.

Antioxidants tend to neutralize free radicals as the natural by-product of normal cell processes. Free radicals, with incomplete electron shells, makes them more chemically reactive than those with complete electron shells. Antioxidants, having extra electrons, donate them to neutralize the free radicals. 

Antioxidants are abundant in fruits and vegetables -- also nuts, grain, fish, some meats and poultry.  Examples of some antioxidants are listed below and includes the food sources:

Vitamin A - Liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk, egg yolks and mozzarella cheese.
Vitamin C - Fruits, vegetables, cereals, beef, poultry and fish.
Vitamin E - Almonds, wheat germ, safflower, corn, soybean oils, mangos, nuts, and broccoli.
Beta-carotene - Foods that are orange in color:  sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, squash, apricots, pumpkin, and mangos. Some green leafy vegetables: collard greens, spinach, and kale.
Lutein - green, leafy vegetables:  collard greens, spinach, and kale.
Lycopee - tomatoes, watermelon, guava, papaya, apricots, pink grapefruit, blood oranges, and other foods.
Selenium - plant foods like rice and wheat, meats, bread, and brazil nuts.