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GuyabanoGuyabano or Soursop is a part of the Annonaceae family, also known as the custard apple family. The natural products, which develop on trees, are huge and oval in shape. It is green outside, which has spines on it and white, stringy tissue. They develop up to 8 inches and can weigh up to 10 pounds. Soursop’s flavor can best be described as a cross between a mango and pineapple. Soursop has numerous significance in traditional pharmaceuticals, and it has been utilized to treat a wide array of health conditions and afflictions. With its strong nutrient profile, it gives a variety of health benefits.

Soursop is high in vitamin C, an antioxidant known to boost immune health. This vitamin strengthens your immune system, thus improving its ability to defend against pathogens. It also promotes the destruction of free radicals which can help to protect your skin and cells from environmental oxidative damage. One whole soursop fruit contains 215% of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. The fruits and leaves of this plant also contain many other antioxidants, including phytosterols, tannins, and flavonoids. Antioxidants play a role in your overall health and may help to protect against a variety of health conditions. Here are five (5) health benefits we can get from Guyabano:

  • Healthy digestion. One whole soursop fruit contains around 83% of your recommended daily allowance of fiber, which is a vital nutrient for your digestive health. Fiber helps to promote regularity and prevent digestive issues such as constipation.
  • Potential anti-carcinogenic effects. While most research is limited to test-tube studies, soursop may be beneficial in helping to fight and prevent cancer. One study found that a soursop extract could reduce the size of breast cancer tumors and kill cancer cells. A second study found that an extract could stop the formation of leukemia cells.
  • Fights inflammation. Antioxidants fight free radicals, reducing the damage to your cells caused by oxidative stress. One of the side effects of oxidative stress is inflammation. The antioxidants in soursop may, therefore, help to reduce inflammation in the body.
  • Stabilizes blood pressure. High blood pressure may lead to serious issues like heart disease and heart attack. A contributing factor to high blood pressure is sodium intake. Potassium helps your body to get rid of sodium and eases the tension in the walls of your blood vessels, both of which can help to lower your blood pressure. A whole soursop fruit offers approximately one-third to one-half of your recommended daily allowance of potassium.
  • May fight against bacteria. Soursop may provide antibacterial effects. One study found that an extract may be able to kill many different types of bacteria, including strains that cause gum disease and cavities. Another study found that soursop extracts may help to fight cholera and Staphylococcus bacteria. While these were test-tube studies, the results are promising, and further research is needed.

Some research points to the benefits of soursop in fighting cancer cells. However, this research has mostly been in animals or test tubes, so human studies are necessary to confirm whether or not it has the same effects in people. The soursop fruit contains phytochemicals, which may help improve a person’s health and potentially prevent or treat disease. However, if a person is receiving treatment for cancer, they should talk to their doctor about trying remedies or new foods that may interact with their medication. Nevertheless, all fruits consumed give extra vitamins and minerals to our body. Consume these fruits in moderation and live a healthy life!

NO I Zamubec Alomar C. Adlawan, RND

References:

  • Health benefits

https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/health-benefits-soursop#:~:text=Soursop%20is%20high,of%20health%20conditions.%C2%A0

  • Can soursop help fight cancer?

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/soursop

Medically reviewed by Christina Chun, MPH — Written by Louisa Richards on April 15, 2020