Health Benefits of Soursop

Soursop is a member of the Annonaceae family, also known as the custard apple family. A native of the warm and tropical regions of the Americas.

Soursop contains Vitamins B1, B2, B3, Iron, Potassium and Calcium

It is also called Graviola or Sirsak, its scientific name is Annona muricata. It grows on trees, large in size and oval in shape.

The exterior part of Soursop which is green in colour, has spines on it which covers white flesh which is loaded with fibre. The fruit grows up to 8 inches and can measure a weight of up to 10 pounds.

Soursop is known for its very delicious flavor and amazing health benefits. Its taste can best be described as cross between mango and pineapple.

This beautiful fruit provides a lot of nutrients and health benefits. Has many uses in traditional medicine alongside can be used to treat a wide variety of health conditions and diseases.

Nutrition

Soursop is loaded with ample essential vitamins and minerals, namely:

• Vitamin B1

• Vitamin B2

• Vitamin B3

• Vitamin C

• Folate

• Calcium

• Iron

• Magnesium

• Phosphorus

• Potassium

• Copper

• Zinc

Health Benefits

Soursop contains Vitamins C which helps to boost the body’s immune system

1. Immune System Booster: Soursop is rich in Vitamin C, an antioxidant famous for boosting immune health, strengthens the immune system, enhancing its abilities to fight against pathogens. This fruit can also protect the skin and cells from environmental oxidative damage by promoting the destruction of free radicals (molecules containing oxygen with an uneven number of electrons. Free radicals can cause large chain chemical reactions as a result of their reactions with other molecules, which can be beneficial or harmful). Other antioxidants contained in Soursop includes, tannins, flavonoids etc, and antioxidants play a vital role in general health and may help to shield against diverse kinds of health conditions.
2. Fights Inflammation: Antioxidants battle free radicals, thereby, reducing the damage caused to cells by oxidative stress (an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body). A known side effect of oxidative stress is inflammation (this is a part of the body’s defence mechanism, however can be triggered by the immune system when there are no invaders e.g bacteria and viruses to fight off). Therefore, the antioxidants in Soursop may help reduce inflammation in the body.
3. Aids Digestion: A whole Soursop fruit contains about 83% of the recommended daily allowance of fibre, which is a very essential nutrient for the body’s digestive system. Fibre helps to prevent digestive problems such as constipation.
4. Balances Blood Pressure: High blood pressure brings about serious health problems such as heart attack and heart disease. Too much consumption of Sodium fuels high blood pressure. Potassium, which is contained in Soursop helps the body flush out Sodium and calms the tension in the walls of the blood vessels, both of which are helpful in lowering blood pressure.
5. Antibacterial: Soursop may provide some antibacterial effects. A study discovered that an extract may possess the ability to eradicate various types of bacteria, which includes strains that lead to gum disease and cavities. Another study found that extracts from Soursop may be helpful in fighting against Cholera and Staphylococcus bacteria. These may be test tube studies, however, the results should not be ignored.