About Borthekera:
- Garcinia pedunculata, popularly known as Bor Thekera in Assamese, is an evergreen tree related to the more familiar purple mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana).
- The tree is endemic to the south-eastern regions of Asia such as parts of Bangladesh and north-eastern parts of India.
- The sun-dried slices of the ripe fruit are used for culinary and medicinal purposes and are known to have therapeutic properties like anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, nephroprotective, and even neuroprotective activity.
- With scientific interventions seeking proof of these claims, multiple studies have reported that G. pedunculata is a rich source of antioxidants.
- Uses: The ripe fruit is eaten cooked or raw. Sun-dried slices are much valued and used for preparing delicacies like "tenga diya masor jol" meaning Assamese sour fish curry.
Q1) What is the role of antioxidants?
Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage. These are found in many naturally available foods.
Source: Medicinal plant commonly called Borthekera in Assamese found to have cardioprotective potential
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