What Is Soursop?

Soursop, also known as graviola, is the fruit of Annona muricata, a type of tree native to tropical regions of the Americas.

The taste of soursop fruit is a delicious combo of strawberry and pineapple and is most commonly eaten by cutting the fruit in half and scooping out the flesh. The soft pulp and flesh of the fruit can be used in drinks, desserts, smoothies and even candy.

Actually the entire tree including the leaves, the bark and even the root has been used to cure a number of ailments.

Along with the yummy flavour making this a popular fruit, the rich vitamin and nutrient content of the fruit makes it really beneficial to your health.

The health benefits of soursop

For centuries, soursop juice has been a form of pain reliever while pulverized seeds and concoctions made of leaves are also popular forms of natural remedies. The fruit is mostly found in Mexico, the Caribbean, parts of South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. 

The rich nutrient content of soursop includes vitamin C, vitamin B, and a number of antioxidant compounds.

1.Relieves Respiratory Distress
Patients suffering from respiratory ailments like a cough, cold, or other forms, soursop’s anti-inflammatory properties can help clear out airways, relieve congestion, and soothe irritation. Used partially as an expectorant, soursop is a reliable way to eliminate phlegm and mucus, where many pathogens can live.

2.Treats Insomnia
If you’re suffering from insomnia or restless sleep, soursop tea is a wise choice. Soursop tea has been used for centuries as a stress relieving agent. There are certain anti-inflammatory and soothing properties of soursop that make it very effective for sufferers of excessive stress and anxiety.

3.Helps Kill Cancer Cells
Extensive research has been done on the unique organic compounds of soursop and it has been widely studied as an alternative way of reducing the risk of cancer. It has been found to stop the growth and formation of cancer cells when a study looked at the effects of soursop extract on leukemia cells. In breast cancer cells it was able to reduce tumour size, kill off cancer cells and enhance the activity of the immune system.

4.Boosts Immunity
Adding a bit of soursop fruit to your diet, either through refreshing beverages or desserts, can positively impact your overall health. Rich in vitamin C, the soursop stimulates the production of white blood cells, while the concentration of antioxidants helps to neutralize free radicals and prevent chronic disease.

5.Analgesic Properties
Soursop is famous for being a pain reliever. It has been applied to wounds and injuries for generations and also works internally to relieve pain and speed healing. The anti-inflammatory effect of this fruit makes it an ideal solution for all types of body pain.

6.Promotes Digestive Health
Due to its high fiber content, soursop may aid with proper digestion. The fruit’s juice can also act as a diuretic and cleanse the gastrointestinal tract by removing excess sodium from the body. An extract of soursop has been shown to help heal gastric ulcers in lab animals.

How to Eat Soursop?

From juices to ice creams and sorbets, soursop is a popular ingredient found throughout South America and can be enjoyed in a variety of different ways.

The flesh can be added to smoothies, made into teas or even used to help sweeten baked goods.

However, because it has a strong, naturally sweet flavor, soursop is most often enjoyed raw.

When selecting fruit, pick one that is soft or let it ripen for a few days before eating. Then simply cut it lengthwise, scoop out the flesh from the rind and enjoy.

Keep in mind that the seeds of the soursop should be avoided, as they have been shown to contain annonacin, a neurotoxin that may contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease