Soursop is a fruit of the evergreen, broad-leafed and flowering tree called the Annonamuricata. It is indigenous to the tropics of America. The fruit is rich in phytonutrients and other potent nutrients that enable the fruit to address a wide variety of disorders and ailments. Soursop benefits health in innumerable ways, a few of which are elucidated here.
Soursop benefits health because of its rich nutritional composition. The fruit, soursop, is richly packed with vitamin C, thiamin, niacin and riboflavin. It also consists of minerals such as phosphorus, iron, and calcium. About 67.5% of the fruit is pulpy, 20% of it is skin, 4% make its core and 8.5% are seeds.
Soursop is a miraculous fruit that cures a number of ailments. The soursop benefits include addressing a unique variety of diseases and health conditions. Even the bark and leaves of the plant have rich medicinal value. Enlisted below are 16 soursop benefits for general health, skin care, hair care and more.
Soursop leaves benefit cancer patients through the inhibition of about 80% of cancerous cells in the body. Soursop(1)contains acetogenins that suppress the toxic compounds secreted by the cells affected by cancer. The fruit checks the survival, metabolism, and metastasis of cancerous cells in the pancreas. The fruit is regarded as a miracle cure for incurable cancer.
Soursop is richly loaded with antioxidants, especially vitamins E and C, beta-carotene and zinc. The antioxidants suppress oxidative stress and prevent the occurrence of cataracts and degenerative deterioration of eyesight.
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The leaves of soursop and its bark and roots are rich in anti-inflammatory properties and potent antioxidants that aid in the treatment of inflammation. Soursop is especially effective in curing arthritis , which is characterized by the symptom of inflammation of joints and immense pain. Soursop is analgesic in nature and can cure the pain within a few weeks. It heals inflammation(2) of muscles and tissues and cures it in a very short time.
Infections that are caused by parasites and bacteria can be effectively treated with soursop. The disease of infection triggered by parasites through sand flea bites, referred to as leishmaniasis, can be cured with the fruit. Even the leaves of soursop can cure a range of infectious ailments.
An aqueous extract of the leaves of soursop inhibits and prevents the oxidative damage caused to the liver under the effect of diabetes. The anti-diabetic properties of soursop make it especially useful in lowering the level of blood glucose and curing diabetes in time.
Soursop is known for its ability to enhance the sensitivity of insulin by the improving the uptake of glucose in the muscle tissues and liver. This is done by decreasing the levels of certain fatty acids in the blood that suppresses the effect of insulin. If you are suffering from chronic diabetes, then soursop is one of the best natural remedies that will stabilize the levels.
Read More: Home Remedies for Diabetes
Hepatic and renal health refers to the synchronized and regular functioning of the liver and kidneys. Soursop contains acetogenins that destroy the cancerous cells in the liver and address several ailments of hepatic and renal nature.
The fruit Soursop is used in the natural treatment of stress and its symptoms that include insomnia, nervous breakdowns, and anxiety disorders.
The leaves of soursop can be made into a soursop tea, which is greatly effective in the treatment of respiratory disorders like bronchitis and asthma.
Soursop is rich in antiulcer properties that make the fruit effective in the natural treatment of intestinal ulcers. It protects the walls of the intestines from damage caused by oxidative stress with the preservation of the mucus. Soursop has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. One of the ailments addressed by soursop with its iron-rich pulp is anemia and its symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Ingestion of the fruit can boost the immune system of the body owing to the fact that the fruit is rich in biologically active compounds that rejuvenate the body immunity and keep it from weakening. Extracts derived from the leaves of soursop is especially effective in the curing of immunocompromised patients through the strengthening of body immunity. Soursop juice is rich in micronutrients, ascorbic acid, and beta-carotene that stimulate body immunity.
Soursop is a natural analgesic(3) and its extracts can be used for the effective treatment of any kind of the pain especially that induced by rheumatoid arthritis.
The anti-laxative properties of soursop fruit extract are highly effectual in the treatment of the symptoms of diarrhea.
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The phenol compounds of the fruit are rich in antioxidant properties that make soursop highly beneficial in the treatment of hypertension.
Soursop helps in curing the symptoms of eczema or atopic dermatitis by eliminating dryness of skin. It decreases the infiltration of compounds of immune into the skin and soothes the response of the immune system to the symptoms of eczema, thereby fighting against the itchy and dry sensation and restoring the health of the skin.
Soursop benefits hair through the prevention of hair fall. The phytonutrients contained in the fruit strengthens the roots and hair follicles. It establishes blood circulation in the scalp and keeps dandruff and lice at bay.
Soursop is especially useful in the treatment of high fever. It is a natural astringent thus making it effective in curing dysentery and diarrhea and the high fever induced by the same.
Soursop leaves tea is one of the easiest and best ways to take soursop.
A few generic soursops leave side effects are written below-
The bark and seeds contain toxic compounds like hydrocyanic acid, anonaine, and muricine that cause inflammation in the eyes on ingestion.
The highly energetic cells of the fetus trigger off the toxicity of the fruit and harm the fetus and the mother as well.
It has been scientifically observed in mammals, that consumption of soursop leads to dramatic loss of body weight.
Response: An aqueous extract of the leaves of soursop inhibits and prevents the oxidative damage caused to the liver under the effect of diabetes. The anti-diabetic properties of soursop make it especially useful in lowering the level of blood glucose and curing diabetes in time.
Response: Soursop seeds are not only edible but also highly beneficial for health.
Response: Soursop has a musky fragrance and a sweet and sour taste, kind of like a combination of papaya, banana, and pineapple.