What is Soursop?

Soursop,  also known as Guanabana or Graviola, is a plant native to tropical climates, like the Americas and the Caribbean.  The Soursop tree produces a green oval shaped fruit with a white fleshy inside. Because Soursop is packed with many nutrients, both the fruit and leaves have been traditionally used to treat a wide variety of medical issues.

Though many of the studies have only been conducted in labs, Soursop extract has shown some promising results. The Soursop fruit and leaves have been used to reduce inflammation, stabilize blood pressure, may help kill cancer cells, can fight bacteria and promote healthy digestion.

 

Soursop Nutritional Benefits

According to WebMD, Soursop has many important vitamins and minerals. The fruit is rich in vitamin C which helps to boost your immune system and fights against oxidative damage. The fruit and leaves also contain phytosterols, tannins, and flavonoids. These antioxidants play a role in your overall health and may help to protect against a variety of health conditions.

Soursop Nutritional Breakdown

According to Healthline, a typical serving (3.5 ounces / 100 grams) of raw soursop contains:

• Calories: 66
• Protein: 1 gram
• Carbs: 16.8 grams
• Fiber: 3.3 grams
• Vitamin C: 34% of the RDI
• Potassium: 8% of the RDI
• Magnesium: 5% of the RDI
• Thiamine: 5% of the RDI

 

Uses of Soursop

The fleshy inside of the Soursop fruit has been used to make ice-creams, added to smoothies, used to make tea, incorporated into cakes and other sweet treats

Soursop Leaves Tea

The leaves of the soursop plant are also used to make soursop tea. The leaves are dried, then steeped in hot water. Traditional herbalists use this tea to assist in fighting cancer.

 

Is Soursop Safe?

According to WebMD, Soursop may interact with High Blood Pressure and Diabetes medications. The compounds in the fruit may strengthen the effects of such medications, causing dangerous drops in your blood pressure or blood sugar levels. 

 

Before starting any herbal regiment, you should always consult your physician.