An antioxidant is a molecule or even a single atom with an extra electron. These extra electrons stabilize free radicals. Antioxidant come from vitamins C and E, and also the body's immune system, but these do not compare to the powerful antioxidants that come from certain plants such as the mangosteen.

The job of defending the body against free radicals falls to the antioxidant defense system. Disarming free radicals before they can attack their target tissue. By controlling free radicals, antioxidants can make the difference between life and death, as well as influence how fast and how well we age.

Mangosteen is full of antioxidants. Some of its most well known are the xanthones, stilbenes, tannin, polysaccharides, catechins, and polyphenols. In fact, mangosteen has been shown to have more potent antioxidant activity than vitamin E, one of the most powerful antioxidants known.

"By controlling free radicals, antioxidants can make the difference between life and death, as well as influence how fast and how well we age."
- The Antioxidant Miracle, Lester Packer, Ph.D.

A new laboratory test known as ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) has also shown that an ounce of mangosteen juice has 20 to 30 times the ability to absorb free radicals than one ounce of most fruits and vegetables. The ORAC test is one of the most accurate ways to measure the ability of antioxidants in a certain substance to absorb free radicals. The higher the ORAC score, the better the food is for the body.

ORAC Scores of Popular Antioxidants:

• Mangosteen Juice: 17,000
• Wolfberry Juice: 3,472
• Pomegranates: 3,037
• Blueberries: 2,400
• Raspberries: 1,220
• Carrots: 200

One of the most powerful Antioxidants in the world is a class called Xanthones. Xanthones are found naturally in nature in all sorts of plants and fruits. But one fruit stands alone highest in the list of Xanthones - the Mangosteen Fruit.