6 Proven Health Benefits of Soursop Consumption
First of all, what is Soursop?
Soursop (also known as Graviola, Paw Paw, Guanabana, or Sirsak) is a fruit of the Ammona muricata evergreen tree that is native to the tropical countries in Central and South America. It is also a member of the Annonaceae family (also known as the custard apple fruit family). It has a darkish-green exterior with spines on it, and covers a white, fibrous flesh. Soursop can grow up to 8 inches and weigh up to 10 pounds.
This large, oval-shaped, and unique fruit has a creamy, yogurt-like texture, and a strong flavour that is often compared to westernized fruits like pineapples, mangoes, and strawberries.
It is mainly eaten raw by cutting the fruit in half, and scooping out the flesh. Fruits vary in size and can be quite big, so it is smart to split it into several portions.
An average serving of fruit (westernized or exotic) is low in calories, yet strong in vital nutrients like fiber and vitamin C. A 3.5 ounce (100-gram) serving of raw soursop 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 consists of small portions of important nutrients such as niacin, folate, and iron.
Soursop is used in many traditional medicine practices and provides a number of both physical and mental health benefits.
The health benefits that are associated with regular intake of exotic fruits like Soursop are:
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that support the neutralization of dangerous compounds called free radicals, which can induce destruction to cells. Studies reveal the high amount of antioxidants in soursop, which can aid in the prevention of cell destruction and reduce the chance of experiencing a chronic disease.
Helps to attack cancer cells
Numerous research studies have discovered that the novel organic compounds of soursop can kill cancer cells, which means that eating soursop is a holistic and natural way of decreasing the risk of cancer. It has been found to inhibit the development of cancer cells when a study looked at the effects of soursop extract on leukemia cells. In breast cancer cells, it was able to shrink the tumour size, destroy cancer cells and strengthen the activity of the immune system.
Helps fight bacteria
Soursop is able to effectively combat multiple kinds of bacteria, including strains that cause illnesses like gingivitis, tooth decay and yeast infections.
Boosts immunity
Protecting the immune system is one of the key parts of a nutritious diet and exercise routine. Adding a bit of soursop to your diet through beverages or desserts, can positively affect your overall wellbeing. It’s rich in vitamin C which stimulates the creation of white blood cells.
Improves gastrointestinal health
Soursop juice can be a completely effective diuretic as it can detox the gastrointestinal tract and remove excess toxins and salt from the body. Its anti-inflammatory compounds can decrease parasites in the gut and alleviate pain or irritation in both the stomach and colon.
May help regulate blood sugar levels
Although more research on humans is necessary, findings suggest that soursop can be more of an advantage for individuals with diabetes when paired with a nutritious diet and exercise regime.
Final word
For those of you who have mental or physical illness or are just willing to take care of your overall wellbeing for disease prevention, fruits like soursop are worth adding to your diets! Soursop has numerous health benefits that are good for people’s skin, mental, physical and emotional health. Even though medications like Tylenol, Benadryl and Advil are an advantage in typical cases, natural remedies such as the consumption of exotic fruits are also worth considering. The more plants you consume, the better off you will be in the long-run! Being healthy doesn’t revolve around pills- it’s also about eating well, exercising on a regular basis, sleeping well and developing a strong support system!
