Graviola, also known as soursop, has a delicious taste and great health benefits. It's a good choice for those seeking an additional source of antioxidants. It can kill cancer cells and could help reduce inflammation.
Soursop is one of the most popular fruits due to its flavorful and delicious taste and impressive health benefits.
It's also very nutritious and offers a significant amount of vitamin C and fiber with few calories.
This article will explore certain health advantages of soursop and ways to include it in your diet.
What Is Soursop?
Soursop, often called Graviola, is Annona muricata's berry. It is a tree native to tropical areas of the Americas.
The prickly green fruit is smooth and creamy with a strong taste, often compared to strawberries or pineapple.
Soursop is generally consumed raw when the fruits are cut in half before the pulp is removed. The size of the fruit varies and is often quite massive, so it could be better to break the portion into smaller portions.
A typical portion of the fruit is shallow in calories yet rich in nutrients such as vitamin C and fiber. The 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving soursop in its raw form contains:
- Calories: 66
- Protein: 1 gram
- Carbohydrates: 16.8 grams
- Fiber: 3.3 grams
- Vitamin C: 34% of the RDI
- Potassium: 8% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 5% of the RDI
- Thiamine: 5% of the RDI
Soursop also has a tiny amount of riboflavin, niacin folate, iron and.
It is interesting to note that many parts of the fruit, including the leaves, fruit, and stems, are utilized for medicinal purposes. They can also be used for cooking and applied to the skin.
Recently, researchers have also discovered various advantages to taking soursop for health.
A few animal and test-tube studies have found it could help reduce inflammation and cancer growth.
Summary
Soursop is a fruit used in cooking and medicine. It's low in calories but high in Vitamin C and fiber. Certain studies have revealed that it also has health benefits.
It's High in Antioxidants
The many benefits reported by soursop can be attributed to its antioxidant-rich content.
Antioxidants are chemicals that neutralize harmful compounds known as free radicals. These can damage cells.
Certain studies suggest that antioxidants can help reduce the risk of various illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
A test-tube study examined Soursop's antioxidant capabilities and discovered that it effectively protected against the damage caused by free radicals.
Another test-tube study assessed the antioxidants in soursop and found that it could stop cell damage. Soursop also contains a variety of plant substances that function as antioxidants, like quercetin, luteolin, and tangerine.
Further research is required to establish how effective the antioxidants contained in soursop could be for humans.
Summary
Studies in test tubes show that soursop is rich in antioxidants. These may protect cells from damage and reduce the chance of chronic illness.
It May Help Kill Cancer Cells
While most research is restricted to tests on test tubes, a few studies have revealed that soursop might help eliminate cancerous cells.
A test-tube study showed that soursop extract was used to treat breast cancer cells. It could reduce the size of tumors, eliminate cancerous cells, and boost the effectiveness of the body's immune system.
Another study in the test tube examined the effects of soursop extracts on leukemia cell lines. Soursop was discovered to block the growth and development of cancerous cells.
But remember that these are tests in the lab that examine a high dosage of extracts from soursop. Future studies should analyze how eating the fruit could influence cancerous cells in human beings.
Summary
A few test-tube studies have shown that soursop could help decrease the growth of cancerous cells. However, the human effect must be examined further.
It Can Help Fight Bacteria
Alongside its antioxidant properties, studies suggest that soursop could also have potent antibacterial properties.
In a test-tube study, soursop extracts with various concentrations were applied to various types of bacteria known to cause oral ailments.
Soursop could effectively eliminate various bacteria that cause tooth decay, gingivitis, and yeast infections.
Another study in the test tube showed that the soursop extract worked against the bacteria that caused cholera and Staphylococcus infections.
Even with these promising results, it's important to note that these are tests in a test tube with a very concentrated extract—a lot more than what you normally get from your diet.
More research is needed to assess the potential antibacterial benefits in humans.
Summary
Studies in test tubes show that soursop is antibacterial and is likely to be efficient against certain strains of bacteria that cause against certain strains of bacteria that cause are needed.
It Could Reduce Inflammation
A few animal studies have revealed that soursop, as well as its constituents, could be able to combat inflammation.
Inflammation is the immune system's normal response to injury. However, growing evidence suggests that chronic inflammation may cause disease.
In one study, rats were treated with extracts of soursop, which was shown to reduce swelling and ease inflammation.
Another study found similar results, showing that the extract of soursop decreased mice's swelling by as much as 37%.
While research currently is restricted only to animal studies, it could be beneficial for treating inflammation-related disorders such as arthritis.
In fact, in an animal study, soursop extract was shown to lower the level of specific inflammation markers involved in arthritis.
But, more research is required to determine the anti-inflammatory qualities of this fruit.
Summary
Studies on animals show that soursop extract may help reduce inflammation and effectively treat certain inflammation disorders.
It May Help Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels
Soursop has been proven to regulate blood sugar levels during animal studies.
In one study, diabetic rats were injected with the extract of soursop for 2 weeks. People who received this extract had blood sugar levels five times lower than those in the control group.
Another study found that giving the soursop extract to diabetic rats cut glucose levels in the blood by as much as 75%.
However, these studies on animals employ a high concentration of soursop extract, which is higher than what you can get from your diet.
While further studies on humans are needed these results suggest that soursop might be beneficial to people suffering from diabetes when combined with an active diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Summary
Animal studies have shown that soursop extract could dramatically lower blood pressure and sugar levels.
How to Eat Soursop
from juices and ice creams to sorbets, sorbets are a well-known ingredient in South America and can be consumed in many ways.
Fruit pulp can be cooked into drinks, blended into teas, or used to sweeten baked goods.
However, since it has a sweet, sour flavor, soursop is often consumed raw.
If you are picking fruit, select soft ones or allow them to ripen for a couple of days before eating. Cut the fruit in half lengthwise. Then, scoop the flesh from the rind and relish.
Remember that the seed of soursop must be avoided since they've been proven to be a source of annonacin. This neurotoxin could be a factor in the development of Parkinson's disease.
Summary
Soursop is a great ingredient for smoothies, juices, desserts, teas, or other drinks. It is also a great drink in its raw form. However, the seeds must be removed prior to eating.
The Bottom Line
Test-tube and animal studies utilizing soursop extract have yielded promising findings regarding the health benefits this fruit could bring.
It's crucial to note that these research studies examine what happens when you take a large dosage of extracts from Soursop, far more than what you could receive from one serving.
But, it is also delicious, and versatile, and could be a great ingredient in your diet.
If combined with an appropriate diet and healthy lifestyle, this fruit can offer remarkable benefits to one's well-being.
