How Does Soursop Work?
Soursop is a variety of fruit that has various names, such as soursop, guanabana, and graviola. The fruit is a small evergreen tropical tree, native to Central as well as tropical South America.
Soursop fruit is large and oval in shape, with a green prickly outer. They can grow to 8 inches tall and weigh as much as 10 pounds. Their fleshy interior is translucent and fibrous.
Taste of soursop
Soursop has a unique taste that is best described as a blend of exotic fruit flavors like mango, mango, and pineapple. It’s sweet and tangy, with plenty of citrus flavors.
Advantages of Soursop
Soursop (the leaves and the fruit) is a source of many antioxidants, such as phytosterols, flavonoids, and tannins. Antioxidants can play an important role in general health and could aid in the prevention of a range of health issues.
Additional health benefits associated with using soursop include:
Soursop and immune system health
Soursop is rich in Vitamin C. It is an antioxidant proven to improve immune health and enhance its ability to protect against pathogens. Vitamin C is also a key factor in the elimination of free radicals, which protects the cells of your skin and face from oxidative damage caused by environmental factors. A single soursop berry contains around 129 milligrams of vitamin C approximately 172 percent of the daily dose in vitamin C, for females and 143% for men.
could make digestive health better.
Fiber is crucial for digestive health. It can help keep you regular and prevent problems like constipation. The daily recommended allowance for fiber is approximately 14 grams per 1,000 calories. This amounts to around 25 grams a day for women, and around 38 grams a day for males. A whole piece of soursop contains approximately 21g of fiber, which is close to the RDA.
Possible anticarcinogenic consequences
In the near future, the Soursop extract could become an alternative or a complementary treatment in conjunction with other cancer treatments; however, we require more studies. One systematic review found that the soursop plant extract Annona muricata (scientific name for soursop) is a rich source of bioactive components, including the acetogenins and phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Research suggests that these compounds possess an “ability to decrease the growth of cancer.”
Although these findings sound promising but the research was based on animal and test-tube studies and not on human beings. Some studies also have similar results, but they are conducted in a laboratory. If you’re considering using soursop extract in conjunction with your current treatment for cancer, talk about it with your health care provider and your doctor, because certain supplements could alter the way that cancer drugs function.
could aid in the fight against inflammation.
Antioxidants combat free radicals and reduce the damage to cells that is caused by the stress of oxidative. One of the effects of the stress of oxidative stress is inflammation. The antioxidants found in soursop could assist in reducing inflammation in the body.
could help to control blood pressure
High blood pressure could cause serious health issues like heart disease or a heart attack. The intake of sodium is the primary reason for the development of high blood pressure. Potassium aids your body in getting rid of sodium and reduces the strain on the blood vessels. Both will help reduce blood pressure. A whole fruit like soursop provides about one-third to one-half of the daily recommended allowance of potassium.
Might combat bacteria
Soursop could have antibacterial properties. A study has found that extracts may be able to kill many kinds of bacteria, including those that cause gum disease as well as cavities. Another study showed that extracts of soursop may be able to aid in fighting Staphylococcus and cholera bacteria. While these are tests on test tubes but the results are encouraging. More research and study are required.
It might reduce blood sugar levels.
Soursop extract was found to lower blood sugar levels in a variety of studies conducted on animals. In one study, where diabetic rats were given daily doses of soursop extract for a total of 28 days, rats showed lower blood sugar levels. The results of a different study of mice with diabetes were also positive. They demonstrated that low doses of soursop extract decreased the mice’s blood glucose levels at the time of fasting and the HbA1c (a test that determines the average of blood sugar over the last 2 to 3 months), as well as insulin resistance and liver levels of lipids. They also saw improvements in the way they signal insulin. It is still necessary to conduct more studies to determine how these results translate to humans.
Could be applied to ulcers
Soursop extract has the potential to be effective in treating gastric ulcers. The review of 49 study papers between 1981 and 2021 revealed that the high levels of flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic acids have made it a well-known traditional remedy for treating gastrointestinal problems, which include ulcers. A study that used soursop leaves for treating ulcers in rats decreased the ulcers, and also slowed the production of gastric acid, which can harm the mucus membrane that forms the stomach’s walls and is comparable to proton pump inhibitors. However, we don’t have enough information to determine whether this treatment is beneficial in humans.
could help with weight loss
In a study involving adults, scientists tested whether the extract of soursop could be used to treat the signs of obesity. The results revealed that mice given the high-fat diet, then supplemented with dosages of 50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg soursop extract, experienced substantial weight reduction when compared to mice that didn’t receive the extract, even though they did not have any reduction in calories. The authors of the study stated that they believe the results prove that soursop leaf tea’s ability to reduce body weight; however, it must be investigated further in humans.
The Use of Soursop in Traditional Medicine
The phytochemicals present in soursop have been a widely used herbal remedy in traditional medicine for quite a while. The leaves were used to create tea for treating a broad array of health problems and illnesses, such as:
- Infections caused by parasites or bacteria
- Fever
- Blood sugar levels are high.
- High blood pressure
- Inflammation
- Anxiety
- Cancer
- Digestive problems
- Pain
- Cough
- Asthma
Soursop extract hasn’t been proven to be a cure in any one of the above ailments in humans, so if you would like to take the extract as an alternative, speak to your physician first.
Profits of Soursop Leaves
A lot of times, they are used to make tea; the leaves of soursop have a dark, green color and are shiny. They’re full of antioxidants, which boost the immune system. Studies conducted in vitro show that leaves can aid in issues like:
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Abscesses
- Ulcers
- Certain cancers
However, we require more research to confirm these results with individuals.
Potential Adverse Effects of Soursop
While it is true that soursop has substantial advantages for health, the plant can come with some risks.
Research has shown that tea and the fruit that is made from leaves could cause nerve damage, causing symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease. The research also suggests that it can be a factor in the interaction with medications to lower blood pressure or other diabetes-related medications. The substances in the fruit could enhance the effects of these drugs, leading to a dangerous drop in blood pressure and the levels of blood sugar.
Also, you should stay clear of eating soursop seeds. They contain toxic chemicals and can cause negative, unwanted side effects. Be sure to get rid of the seeds prior to eating the fruit.
Potential Adverse Effects of Soursop
You’ll likely find fresh as well as frozen soursop at the local supermarket or farmer’s market. You can also purchase the fruits online.
The majority of soursop is picked prior to the fruit being fully ripe. The unripe fruit has a green color, the fruit will turn yellow-green once mature. It also gives some when it is squeezed. Place unripe fruits in the refrigerator. Once they’re mature, keep them in the refrigerator and then use them within a couple of days.
Soursop in Fruit
Soursop is delicious raw. Cut the stem in half, then scoop out the flesh with the help of a spoon. Make sure you remove the seeds since they’re poisonous. You can also make use of the fresh fruit for:
- Homemade popsicles
- Ice cream
- Smoothies
- The toppings you can add to oatmeal or yogurt
- Cakes or quick breads
The soursop juice
It is now possible to purchase the 100% pure soursop juice at an online retailer or from a major grocer. You can also prepare your own from your home. There are many simple recipes available online however, all you need to do is cut it, take out the seeds, and add the pulp in the blender along with water, then blend it until the mixture is smooth. You can then strain the juice and add lime or milk juice or drink it as a smoothie. You can also add flavoring by adding vanilla, honey, or ginger.
Tea with soursop
Soursop tea is also easy to prepare. Simply boil water, then add the leaves, and then let them infuse for approximately 10 minutes. You can add honey to give an extra sweetness.
Key Takeaways
Soursop is an exotic fruit that is full of antioxidants. It is found throughout Central as well as South America and has been extensively used in these countries for many years to treat different types of health issues. Although there’s no evidence that suggests that it’s beneficial for humans, a number of in vitro and animal studies have revealed that extracts of soursop could be beneficial in treating cancers as well as gastric ulcers. It can also help in reducing blood pressure and stabilizing blood sugar levels. More research is needed to determine if these results are applicable to humans.