The body of scientific literature relating to Xanthones and their role in wellness continues to grow steadily. Unfortunately, much of it is written in a format that is beyond the comprehension of the average health conscious individual. So, we have chosen to analyze a variety of sources and to put what we have found into a format that removes some of the mystery, and the hyper-technical scientific language out of the mix.
Let’s start by defining what Xanthones are in narrative fashion. Xanthones are actually pigments (coloring) that are found in a variety of plants, including certain fruits and vegetables. These pigments have been found to have positive health effects through their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are chemical compounds that help the body neutralize undesirable “free radicals”, which are molecules produced through normal bodily function, but which can damage cells when the body doesn’t have a way to neutralize them.
My research suggests that Xanthones are not a cure for any particular ailment, but that they simply provide the body with the support it needs to combat undesirable conditions that occur through normal bodily function, and from exposure to external conditions that impact proper health and bodily function. In other words, they help to provide the body with the building blocks necessary to keep us healthy. So, for example, Xanthones have been said to support the body in the following functions:
- slowing the aging process
- fighting cellular damage caused by free radicals
- healing skin rashes and other ailments
- fighting bacteria
- inhibiting and reducing inflammation
- inhibiting the growth of certain types of cancer
- balancing blood sugar levels and reducing sugar cravings
- improving mood
While found in a number of plants, fruits and vegetables, they are sometimes contained in those sources in a form that is not easily digested by the body. Therefore, the fact that a particular source contains Xanthones doesn’t always translate into having them available to the body for support. An example of this is the Mangosteen, a fruit which has been found to have approximately 43 Xanthones in it. Unfortunately, a large number of these are found in the “pericarp”, or outer covering of the fruit, and this outer shell is not easily digestible by the body even when the entire fruit is pureed into liquid form.
Scientists continue to study the variety of Xanthones that occur in nature, and their affects on health, and new discoveries are made on a regular basis. In fact, one company has recently filed a patent on a process of extracting them from natural sources in higher concentrations, even from fruits that are not easily digestible by the body, and to make them available in nutritional products that provide health benefits to the user. Discoveries like this will make it possible for them to be included in a variety of health and wellness products, and at a cost that is attractive to the average consumer.