Soursop Leaf Elixir
What Is It?
A tropical fruit native to Central and South America; also known as graviola, custard apple, and Brazilian paw paw.
What Are Its Benefits?
Antioxidant rich, anti-inflammatory, rich in vitamins, and minerals, boosts the immune system, promotes proper digestion and heart health, and treats acne and eczema.
Who Can Use It?
It is generally suitable for everyone.
How Often?
It is generally safe to consume soursop in moderation, as a part of a balanced diet.
Caution
Pregnant or breastfeeding persons as well as people experiencing kidney or liver problems should avoid this fruit.
Health Benefits Of Soursop
Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the many soursop benefits. know closely what soursop is good for.
1. Soursop Fights Cancer
Though there haven’t been any direct studies on humans, soursop extracts were found to kill certain types of breast and liver cancer cells. A study published in the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research looked at how soursop (Annona muricata L.) leaf extract (AME) may be used with doxorubicin to fight cancer. Doxorubicin is a drug used in chemotherapy that leads to the aging of cells and may even lead to metastasis and cancer resistance. The results showed that the soursop leaf extract helps make doxorubicin more effective at killing cancer cells. The leaf extract contains phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and acetogenin that affect cancer cells. The extract reduced cell growth, stopped cells from dividing, and lowered the levels of harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) This research suggests that soursop leaf extract could be a helpful addition to cancer treatments, especially for triple-negative breast cancer cells.
According to one study, the soursop plant is a proven cancer remedy for most types of the disease. Though the tests haven’t been conducted on humans yet, the possibilities are promising.
In another Indian study conducted on various cell lines, soursop or graviola leaves showed 80% cell inhibition. The acetogenins in soursop inhibit the harmful compounds in cancer cells.
Soursop extract had also inhibited the survival and metabolism of pancreatic cancer cells – and this indicates potential success in curing the lethal disease.
What possibly makes acetogenins unique is their ability to selectively destroy the cancer cells, without harming the healthy ones.
2. Improves Eye Health
We have seen soursop is replete with antioxidants. These antioxidants, especially vitamins C and E, zinc, and beta-carotene, have been found to decrease the risk of eye disease. The antioxidants also reduce oxidative stress, which can otherwise cause cataracts andage-related macular degeneration.
3. Helps Fight Inflammation
In a Brazilian study, inflammation caused by snakebite was found to improve with the administration of soursop leave and juice. However, the components of soursop might also slightly aggravate the ill effects of snake venom – hence, we need more research in this aspect.
Research in South America and tropical Africa had emphasized on the anti-inflammatory properties of the roots, barks, and leaves of the soursop tree. The ability to treat inflammation is good in soursop, and it can be used for relieving arthritis.
In addition to the anti-inflammatory effect, soursop is also known for its analgesici effects. A study in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that soursop (Annona muricata) fruit extract helps reduce pain and inflammation in rodents. The extract showed significant pain relief, similar to morphine. Overall, the study showed that soursop extract has strong pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties
Soursop is named so because of its slightly acidic and sour taste when it ripens.
4. Helps Treat Infections
Soursop can treat infections caused by bacteria and parasites, one of those being leishmaniasis, a disease caused by parasites that are transmitted through the bites of sand fleas
The leaves of the soursop tree are also used to treat a wide range of infections.
5. Soursop Aids Diabetes Treatment
According to a Nigerian study, soursop possesses anti-diabetic properties. The two groups of rats tested in the study had a significant difference in their blood glucose concentrations, with the group treated by soursop having lower concentrations than the other. However, more research done with human trials is needed to understand this benefit of soursop.
The soursop leaf aqueous extract was found to inhibit (and even prevent) the hepatic oxidative damage caused in diabetes patients.
6. Boosts Kidney And Liver Health
As per one Malaysian study, soursop extract was found to be safe in rats that were being treated for kidney and liver ailments. It looked at how soursop leaf extract may protect the stomach from damage caused by alcohol in rats. The extract was found to be safe even at high doses. When given to rats before alcohol exposure, it helped reduce stomach ulcers, showing similar effects as the antiulcer drug omeprazole. The extract boosted antioxidant levels, lowered stomach acid, and protected the stomach lining. This suggests that soursop leaf extract could be useful in preventing stomach ulcers by protecting the stomach from damage. Similar observations could be observed in humans as well.
According to another Indian study, the acetogenins in soursop can kill the malignant cells of 12 types of cancer, with liver cancer being one of them.
7. Improves Respiratory Health
One Nigerian study states the efficacy of soursop leaves in treating respiratory conditions like asthma.
8. Helps Relieve Stress
As per a report by the University of Connecticut, soursop can be used extensively for the treatment of stress and other issues like depression .
9. Enhances Gastrointestinal Health
Soursop is also found to have antiulcer properties. The fruit suppresses oxidative damage and preserves the mucus of the gastric wall. The significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the fruit can help improve gastrointestinal health and aid digestion.
In one Brazilian study, the anthelmintic (the ability to kill parasites) properties of soursop leaf extract were studied. They studied the effects of a parasitic worm that caused gastrointestinal issues in sheep. The objective of the study was to inspect the effects of soursop towards the eggs and adult forms of the parasite. The study concluded that soursop is a natural anthelmintic, and since it could kill the parasites in sheep that caused them gastrointestinal issues, it might have similar effects in humans. More research is going on, though.
As per another report, excessive doses of oral iron can lead to gastrointestinal issues. Though soursop is a source of iron, the mineral content in the fruit is not as much as other ingredients – hence, it is unlikely to cause gastrointestinal distress. The same fact, again, could work for the benefit of the individual. For instance, an individual suffering from iron deficiency can be susceptible to anemia, which is known to cause dysfunction of the gastrointestinal system. Though soursop is not an excellent source of iron, it does contain iron – and hence can be a healthy addition to an iron-rich diet to combat anemia (and the resultant gastrointestinal problems).
10. Boosts The Immune System
A Korean study states that the intake of soursop can enhance immunity. This can be attributed to the bioactive compounds in the fruit. Oral intake of soursop leaf extracts was found to reduce edema in rat paws, which is usually caused due to a weak immune system. The study concludes by stating that soursop leaf extract has the potential to stimulate immunity, and hence can be used in the treatment of immunocompromised patients. Soursop can also be made a part of the diet to improve the overall lifestyle quality.
The juice of the soursop fruit was found to provide more micronutrients than its pulp. But the pulp has more amount of vitamin A than the juice. Soursop is also rich in ascorbic acid (vitamin C) that strengthens and boosts the immune system. Beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, also contributes to an enhanced immune system.
Another report published in a journal by The University of West Indies talks about a study where patients with different forms of cancer were given different foods, soursop being one of them. The objective of the experiment, as stated in the report, was to enhance the immune system of the patients.
11. Relieves Pain (Works As An Analgesic)
According to ResearchGate, soursop can work as an analgesic. The rats used in the study were made to writhe, post which the soursop extract was induced in them. The experiment produced desirable results.
12. Soursop Treats Fever
The soursop or “shawashop” fruit has been traditionally used to treat fever. In Africa, a decoction of soursop leaves is used to control feverish symptoms and convulsive seizures. In fact, the larvae of the Aedes aegypti mosquito (which transmit dengue fever), showed great vulnerability towards soursop extract.
As per an Indian study, the soursop fruit and its juice can not only treat fever, but also act as an astringent for diarrhea and dysentery. The fruit can help treat fever in children as well; soursop is widely used for this purpose in Africa.
13. Treats Diarrhea
All parts of the soursop tree are used as medicine for an array of ailments. And diarrhea is one of them.
14. Aids In The Treatment Of Hypertension
Soursop has been used in folklore for treating hypertension. This can be attributed to the antioxidant potential of phenols in the fruit, according to a Nigerian study.
As per an Indonesian study report, soursop contains good nutrients that can help lower blood pressure levels in human adults and prevent heart diseases, such as heart failure or stroke.
15. Helps Treat Rheumatism
According to studies, the internal administration of soursop leaf decoction was found to exhibit anti-rheumatic properties. And the leaves, when cooked and topically applied, helped ease rheumatism and abscesses.
In Africa, the unripe fruit of soursop is used to treat rheumatism and arthritic pain. Even the mashed leaves of the soursop tree are used as a poultice to treat rheumatism.
Soursop also contains anthocyanins, tannins, and alkaloids that exhibit anti-rheumatic effects.
16. Improves Skin And Hair Health
As per a report published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the extract of soursop leaves can help prevent skin papilloma, a disease that causes tumor eruptions on the skin
In fact, soursop is so good for the skin that the leaves of the plant are used for calming the skin of babies. Certain sources also suggest soursop paste can work wonders for hair – by treating dandruff and itching, and strengthening hair as well. But we need more research on these soursop benefits.
Borrowed from Ravi Teja Tadimalla,
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