Are you looking for ways to improve your health? We know soursop leaves provide relief from colds and flu. They also contain many nutrients and minerals, such as vitamin C, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, and phosphorus.
The soursop tree (Annona muricata) is native to tropical regions around the globe. In Brazil, it is commonly called “maracujá” or “pupunha”. Its fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and other beneficial compounds.
We often recommend soursop leaves for treating coughs, sore throats, fever, diarrhea, indigestion, and constipation. They are also effective against bacterial infections, viral infections, and fungal infections.
What are Soursop Leaves Benefits And Side Effects?
The fruit of the Annona muricate tree, also known as the Graviola or guanabana and native to the tropical regions of America and India, is the soursop (also known as Lakshman Phal).
The flesh of this prickly fruit, which is dark green when unripe and gradually turns slightly lighter green as it ripens, is delicious and tender. Typically, soursop is split in half, with the flesh removed, and eaten uncooked.
Nutritional Value of Soursop
A typical serving (100 grams) of Graviola has the following nutritional composition:
- 64 calories.
- 1 gram of protein
- carbohydrates in 16.8 grams.
- 3 grams of fiber
- RDI for vitamin C is 34%.
- Potassium at 8% RDI.
- Magnesium at 5% RDI.
- RDI for Thiamine is 5%.
- It also has very few levels of niacin, folate, riboflavin, iron, and folate.
Soursop Leaves Benefits And Side Effects
Health Benefits of Eating Soursop Fruit and Leaves:
1. Vitamin C-rich soursop
We think antioxidant vitamin C strengthens your body’s immune system. Vitamin C, which is abundant in soursop, helps boost your immune system and makes your body more capable of fighting off viruses. Encouraging the breakdown of free radicals, it also shields your skin and cells against oxidative harm from the environment.
2. Antioxidant-Rich Soursop:
Our body benefits greatly from the high antioxidant content of soursop. Antioxidants are substances that stop free radicals from doing any harm to our systems by neutralizing them.
According to several studies, the antioxidant characteristics of Graviola contribute to its benefits, which include lowering the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
A test-tube study discovered that the antioxidant qualities of soursop are helpful at shielding your body from free radical damage
Another test-tube investigation found that the antioxidant plant substances luteolin, quercetin, and tangeretin are also present in Graviola. To show the advantages of the antioxidants in soursop for people, more research is necessary.
3. Inflammation is Reduced by Graviola
One of the soursop’s health advantages is that both its juice and leaves have anti-inflammatory effects. A Brazilian study found that taking soursop juice and leaves reduces the swelling brought on by snakebites. More study is necessary for this area, though, as some Graviola constituents may somewhat exacerbate the negative effects.
Researchers in South America and tropical Africa have focused on the soursop tree’s roots, bark, and leaves because they have anti-inflammatory qualities.
By taking Graviola to reduce inflammation, arthritis will be relieved. It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
4. The Immune System is Boosted by Soursop
The bioactive ingredients in Soursop can boost immunity, according to a Korean study. We have shown an oral consumption of Soursop leaf extracts in this study to diminish the edema in the rat paws brought on by the animal’s weakened immune system.
Because Graviola leaves can boost immunity, it can be effective in treating people who have impaired immune systems. Including Graviola in your diet will also help your lifestyle.
When compared to a pulp, soursop fruit juice is rich in micronutrients. However, the Graviola pulp has more vitamin A than juice. The ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) found in Soursop also strengthens and increases your immune system. Therefore, immune system strengthening is still conceivable with beta-carotene, the precursor to vitamin A.
5. Protecting your skin and cells from oxidative damage caused by the environment
The high vitamin C content of soursop supports immunological function by acting as an antioxidant. This vitamin supports the body’s natural defenses against infections. Encouraging the breakdown of free radicals also helps shield your skin from oxidative environmental damage.
6. Graviola Encourages Digestive Health
One entire soursop fruit provides around 83% of the daily required intake of fiber. Because of its high fiber content, soursop extract benefits also include supporting good digestive health. By removing extra sodium from the body and purifying the digestive system, this fruit also acts as a diuretic.
7. Soursop Good for Cancer
Although there has been no direct human research, we have discovered that Graviola extracts can destroy particular breast and liver cancer cells.
Cancer and many other disorders can be treated with soursop, among its many advantages. Despite the optimistic possibilities, experiments on humans are still required.
Soursop or Graviola inhibits 80% of cells leaves, according to an Indian study on several cell lines. The acetogenins in Graviola are what prevent hazardous substances from entering cancer cells.
With the use of soursop extracts, which prevent pancreatic cancer cells from surviving and metabolizing, it may be possible to successfully treat the deadly disease. Acetogenins have the special capacity to selectively kill cancer cells while causing no harm to healthy cells.
8. Reduces Blood Pressure
Soursop has long been the best option for treating hypertension. According to a Nigerian study, the antioxidant properties of the fruit’s phenols handle the benefits of soursop in the treatment of hypertension. In addition, Soursop lowers blood pressure in adults thanks to nutrients in Graviola, according to Indonesian research.
9. Helps Fight Bacteria
One condition caused by parasites and bacteria spread through sand fleas and bites is leishmaniasis, and soursop can be helpful in treating it. Soursop leaves are also effective in treating a variety of infections.
10. Diabetes Benefits of Soursop
According to a Nigerian study, soursop is beneficial for diabetes because of its anti-diabetic qualities. We can also utilize the soursop leaf aqueous extract to prevent the hepatic oxidative damage that diabetic patients experience.
11. Tea from Soursop Leaf to Lose Weight
Graviola leaf tea can aid in weight loss since its high concentration of B vitamins enhances the body’s metabolism. Additionally, by assisting you with exercise, this process keeps you active. With the aid of dietary acids like linoleic acid, Graviola promotes the combustion of extra fat.
In addition, a 12-week study found that soursop leaf extracts helped obese mice lose weight. Additionally, these obese mice had lower cholesterol levels after taking Graviola extracts.
12. They avoid being constipated
The soursop tree is full of dietary fiber, which helps constipate persons with digestion and intestinal transit.
It strengthens and restores the intestinal flora, which lowers the chance of developing stomach illnesses when soursop is regularly consumed.
13. They aid gout treatment
When soursop leaves are consumed, symptoms like excruciating pain, joint inflammation, or uric acid buildup in the joints are alleviated.
This is because the characteristics of soursop leaves immediately affect the gout symptoms, bringing respite and improving the condition.
14. It combats insomnia
Soursop’s anti-inflammatory qualities and relaxing effects help to prevent tension, weariness, or worry that can lead to sleeplessness.
Thus, a cup of hot soursop leaf tea will help you unwind, sleep better, and reduce fatigue before bed.
15. Delay the aging process
Vitamin C’s soursop antioxidant capabilities aid in boosting cell resilience and slowing the aging process.
The high concentration of this vitamin in soursop leaves aids in the body’s ability to combat free radicals, which cause the skin to age prematurely.
How Do You Eat a Soursop?
Here are a few quick and simple soursop dishes you may attempt to enjoy the health advantages of this fruit.
Soursop Smoothie
Ingredients
- pulp from one cup of soursop.
- 12 cup plain yogurt
- Sweetened condensed milk, three tablespoons.
- eight pieces of ice.
Preparation:
- Put each ingredient into the jar of the blender.
- A smooth combination is created by properly blending the ingredients.
- Serve right away
Soursop plum juice
Ingredients:
- 16 ounces of sucrose
- Milk, one cup.
- Sugar, two tablespoons.
- One water cup.
- Mint leaves, two tablespoons.
- Ice in two mugs.
Preparation:
- Peel the Soursop, then remove the core.
- Pull the pulp apart with a fork after removing the seeds.
- Blend all the ingredients together in a blender to create a paste.
- To liquefy the mixture, add water.
- To get the juice into a glass, strain the juice from the pulp.
- To the liquid, add mint leaves and ice, and serve immediately.
How to make tea from soursop leaves?
The many health advantages of soursop leaf tea make it one of the most popular drinks because of its adaptability in preparation and consumption.
Ingredients
- 15 leaves of dried soursop
- Hot water, 1 liter
- taste-based sweetener
Preparation
- For 15 minutes, simmer the leaves in the water at a low temperature.
- Let the infusion sit for 30 minutes after the allotted time has passed to allow the properties to concentrate in the water.
How to make an ointment from a soursop leaf?
You can make an ointment to use to reduce swelling in the joints or other areas of the body by blending your preferred essential oil with soursop leaves. This ointment also reduces discomfort in the muscles when applied topically.
Ingredients:
- 15 sour plum leaves
- Oil essential, 150 ml
- Mortar
preparation
- The soursop leaves should be well washed before grinding.
- Apply the paste made from the leaf paste after adding the oil to a pot.
- To draw the nutrients out of the leaves, cook them for five minutes while stirring gently.
- Your ointment will be ready when the mixture has been strained, allowed to stand for 15 minutes, and then packed into a jar.
Soursop side effects
The following are some of the negative effects of consuming too much soursop:
- The soursop tree’s seeds and bark may be harmful because they contain substances such as muricine, hydrocyanic acid, and online, which are toxic and can inflame the eyes.
- High energy cells in the growing fetus could start Graviola’s harmful activity. Therefore, it is not advisable for pregnant women to consume this fruit.
- With the ingestion of soursop, several experiment participants lost a significant amount of weight. So, before ingesting this fruit, speak with your doctor if you have any weight-related concerns.
- According to a French study, consuming Graviola may cause the onset of Parkinson’s disease.
Summary
Soursop leaves are an important part of the diet in many countries around the world
They contain nutrients like vitamin A, iron, calcium, fiber, and antioxidants
They are rich in potassium, magnesium, and manganese
You should stop using Soursop product and consult a doctor or other healthcare professional if you suffer any side effects that you believe are related to it. They can advise you on any necessary next measures and help figure out what is causing your problems.
FAQ
In laboratory studies, Graviola extracts can kill some types of liver and breast cancer cells. These cells are resistant to some chemotherapy drugs. A more recent study showed that Graviola pulp extract influences prostate cancer cells in mice. But there have been no studies on humans.
You should simply split your soursop in half and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh if you want to eat it raw (you’ll need to work around the seeds or spit them out as you go). Because of its stringy nature, soursop will challenge to cut into cubes, causing the use of a spoon to remove it.
According to Liz Hirst, proprietor of Cape Tribulation Exotic Fruit Farm, “soursop is in high demand, but it’s incredibly challenging to transport.” Pick soursop about 7 days before ripening since it only lasts about 24 hours after it ripens before turning to mush unless it’s refrigerated.
Soursop often referred to as guanabana, is a tropical fruit that originated in the Caribbean and is currently grown in tropical areas of Asia, Central America, South America, and Africa.
Some individuals take soursop to treat infections, coughs, weight loss, herpes, inflammation of the nose and throat, and parasite infections like lice besides its ability to fight cancer. Others might take soursop fruit or Graviola tea to make themselves throw up or to relax more.
