Anti-cancer Foods, Articles, Cancer Related

Anticancer Foods: Soursop Uses & Benefits

8 months ago

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Close up shot of a graviola guyabano fruit- fresh new harvest.

Have you ever heard of the fruit soursop? If you haven’t yet, now is the perfect time to make a move! Soursop benefits will surprise you. It is a miraculous fruit that thrives in tropical regions. Moreover, it has many medicinal and culinary uses. Soursop has a low-calorie count but a high fiber and vitamin C content. Additionally, research indicates that it has many health benefits.

What is a soursop?

Soursop is the fruit of the Annona muricata tree, which has broad, flowering leaves and is evergreen. In Hispanic America, they call this fruit guanábana. With a pineapple-like aroma, this thorny green fruit has a strong flavor. People describe it as a blend of apple and strawberries with sour citrus flavor notes, counteracted by a thick creamy texture resembling a banana.

The Uses of Soursop

The fruit’s flesh comprises an edible white pulp, some fiber, and an indigestible black seed core. Most people use the pulp to flavor smoothies, fruit nectar, drinks, sweets, ice creams, and sorbets. Due to the sheer fruit’s extensive cultivation, various nations consume its compounds. This includes Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and Fiji.

Meanwhile, the people in Indonesia use soursop leaves as herbal medicine. Typically, they use the leaves to make the tea as they believe it contains medicinal properties, such as cancer prevention and anti-inflammation. Surprisingly, you can also use several fruit components, including the leaves, fruit, and stems, for medical purposes. It can also be put directly on the skin.

What Are the Health Benefits Of Soursop?

In recent years, research has uncovered a variety of soursop health benefits. The high antioxidant content of soursop accounts for many of its reported benefits. One test-tube study examined soursop’s antioxidant properties and discovered that it could effectively protect against free radical damage.

Another test-tube study evaluated the antioxidant content of soursop extract and found that it aided in preventing cell damage. Additionally, it contained several antioxidant-rich plant compounds, including luteolin, quercetin, and tangeretin.

Several studies indicate that soursop may also possess potent antibacterial properties. For example, in one test-tube study, different concentrations of soursop extract were used on various bacteria diseases. Soursop was effective against various bacteria, including those responsible for gingivitis, tooth decay, and yeast infections. In one animal study, soursop extract proved to lower inflammatory markers linked to arthritis.

Some animal studies have shown that soursop can help control blood sugar levels. For example, in one study, diabetic rats were given soursop extract, and their blood sugar levels were decreased by up to 75%.

What Makes Soursop An Anti-cancer Food?

Although most research has been conducted in test tubes, some studies have discovered that soursop may prevent cancer cells. In one test-tube study, soursop extract was used to treat breast cancer cells. Surprisingly, it could shrink tumors, kill cancer cells, and boost the immune system’s activity. Another test-tube study examined the effect of soursop extract on leukemia cells. This study discovered that it inhibited cancer cell growth and formation. Remember that these are lab studies. Therefore, it is best to conduct additional research to determine the effect of fruit consumption on human cancer.