Soursop is a large prickly green fruit with a delicious taste. Not only is this fruit a pleasure to the taste buds, it is also extremely healthy with many health benefits!
Soursop, also known as graviola, is covered with ridges on the outside and has a soft juicy flesh inside. It slightly resembles a custard apple and is dark green when raw, with white flesh on the inside. Its pulpy white flesh contains shiny black inedible (possibly toxic) seeds, and has a sweet yet sour taste. Due to its creamy texture, it is often used in beverages, ice creams, and other sweet foods. This fruit is commonly found in the tropics.
Soursop has always been known for its medicinal value. It contains certain natural compounds that have various beneficial medicinal properties. Recently, it has gained popularity for its ability to kill cancer cells up to 1,000 times more effectively than chemotherapy drugs. For centuries, the fruit, leaves, root, bark, and seeds have been incorporated in traditional remedies. Soursop extract is also known for its therapeutic value and can be found in certain health stores.
Health Benefits
Soursop is abundant in vitamins and minerals. Because of this, it has several health benefits. Practitioners of herbal medicine recommend soursop as a cure to various ailments ranging from stomach problems to intestinal worms.
Unhealthy?
There has been a lot of news going around about soursop being a neurotoxin that is dangerous to health. This news is false and not proven. Like many fruits and vegetables that are regularly consumed by humans, soursop does contain some toxins. Yet these toxins are in very mild quantities in the stems and leaves of the plant, posing no proven risk to humans when consumed.
The US Federal Drug Administration otherwise known as the FDA has banned the import of certain soursop juices because of this and there are many misleading articles about the danger of the fruit.
Soursop remains a healthy supplement.
Cancer
Soursop leaves have proven to be effective in killing 12 types of cancer cells, preventing colon, breast, prostate, lung, and pancreatic cancer. Unlike chemotherapy, soursop leaves attack cancer cells without any side effects. A study done in 1996 found that soursop is 10,000 times more effective than chemotherapy.
The fruit contains annanaceous acetogenins which can stop the growth of damaged cells before they become cancerous.
Osteoporosis
Soursop fruit contains calcium and phosphorus. These are beneficial for strong bones and can help prevent osteoporosis.
Heart and Nerves
Vitamin B1 in soursop can accelerate metabolism, blood circulation, and prevent nervous disorders. It also contains vitamin B2 which is vital for the body’s energy production, fat storage, the functioning of the nervous system, and maintenance of the heart muscle.
Hemorrhoids and Infant Diarrhea
Soursop is effective in curing hemmorrhoids. Drink at least one cup of the fresh juice twice daily for relief. In the case of infant diarrhea, 2 to 3 tablespoons of juice can be given to the infant.
Constipation
The fruit is rich in soluble and insoluble fibers and can relieve constipation.
Sleep
Soursop fruit contains a chemical called tryptophan which promotes sleepiness and relaxation. Because of this, it is beneficial for insomniacs.
It can also help in controlling blood pressure and hypertension because it has a high ratio of potassium to sodium.
Urinary Tract Infections
The flesh of soursop is nearly 84% water and is effective in treating and preventing urinary tract infections, urethritis, and hematuria.
Parasites
Soursop is loaded with nutrients like amino acids, ascorbic acid, calcium, carbohydrates, iron, phosphorus, thiamine, fiber, and riboflavin. These nutrients can inhibit parasites inside the body.
Vitamin C
Soursop contains a high content of vitamin C. This can increase endurance and slow down the aging process while also keeping illness away.
Free Radicals
The ascorbic acid in soursop fruit increases the amount of antioxidants in the body which play an important role in fighting the free radicals. This can keep infections and disorders at bay.
Immune System
Soursop fruit contains substances like acetogenins, anncatacin, annocatalin, annonacin, annohexocin, annomuricin, anonol, gentistic acid, linoleic acid, and muricarpentocin. These can enable out body to stay fit and improve immunity against various diseases.
Soursop is loaded with beneficial nutrients and contains of Vitamin C, fiber, potassium, acetogenins, and more.
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