Does soursop have benefits and contraindications? Yes indeed this fruit, also known as graviola or anona, has many health benefits, but it also has its dark side. Let’s look at both, below.
Soursop is one of the wildest fruits you will ever come across in your life. Grown primarily in Central and South America, along with the Caribbean, if you live outside of these areas it is considered an exotic treat.
Think of its flavor as a cross between strawberries, pineapple, and assorted citrus fruits mixed together, making for a unique dining experience.
But eating is far from the only way this fruit can be used, as it’s often made into juices, ice creams, and more, with different parts of the fruit having their own uses. But its flavor and usefulness are just scratching the surface, as the true power of this fruit lies in its health benefits.
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Benefits of soursop or graviola
Soursop can kill cancer Starting with perhaps the most prominent effect of the soursop, is its ability to actively cause cancer cell death, with laboratory studies confirming this effect in breast and liver cancer cells. Although this effect is attributed to an extract of the actual fruit, its leaves have also been found to suppress cancer cells with about 80% efficiency. What makes it a promising alternative remedy to powerful chemotherapy drugs is that its effects are specific to cancer cells and do not harm healthy cells. Very good!
Soursop is good for your eyes The soursop fruit is packed with antioxidants, which help reduce the oxidative load in the body. In this case, you can thank vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and many other compounds carotenoids natural ingredients that help preserve the health of your eyes. By slowing the rate of macular degeneration or the development of waterfallsoptimal ocular function can be maintained much longer.
Helps relieve inflammation Although soursop fights inflammation in cells by virtue of its high antioxidant content, this refers to more direct inflammation, such as that of arthritiss. Various other parts of the soursop plant have also been used traditionally by natives of Central and South America to treat inflammation caused by snake bites, although it should not be confused with an antidote.
Promotes stomach and digestive tract health The consumption of soursop is associated with a decrease in the development of the stomach ulceras it helps to strengthen the structural integrity of the mucosal linings of these organs, as they are subject to the effect of hydrochloric acid from the stomach.
Soursop also helps reduce the effects of oxidation on these organs, possibly helping to counteract chronic diseases that afflict them, such as irritable bowel disease and Crohn’s disease. Soursop may also offer protection against stomach bacteria pyloriwhich is implicated in a significant number of cases of stomach cancer and gastric ulcers.
May help relieve pain the gUanábana can not only revive inflammation, but actually decrease pain stimuli. People who suffer from arthritis suffer from inflammation and pain, which makes the soursop fruit especially poised to help. There also appears to be a dose-related effect, meaning that the magnitude of pain relief (analgesia) is proportional to the amount of soursop consumed. You’re not sure if there’s an upper limit that you shouldn’t exceed, so the best approach is to consume a bit and measure your response.
It can help reduce your stress load When you are under stress, your body produces an increased amount of adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones are essential to your overall health, but high levels don’t do anyone any favors. In fact, high circulating cortisol levels are implicated in a number of negative health effects, ranging from insomnia to anxiety and alert sexual function. Soursop consumption can help buffer the negative effects of elevated cortisol, reduce anxiety, and promote restful sleep.
Can kill intestinal parasites Drugs that kill intestinal worms are known as anthelmintics, which is what the soursop leaf extract is called. The extract made from soursop leaves was found to be able to kill both the adult worms and their larvae, which is something many prescription anti-parasitic medications do not do. Although it must be standardized on a dose that is approved for use for this purpose, the results so far across studies are promising.
May help control diabetes Soursop leaves help control the diabetes, The mechanism behind this action is likely to be inhibition of enzymes that help break down complex carbohydrates into glucose, or block their absorption. Furthermore, the use of the leaves was found to decrease the effect of oxidative damage in the liver that is exacerbated by diabetes.
But that’s not all, since soursop leaves could help the pancreas to produce new insulin-producing cells, which can compensate in cases where these cells stop working. It is simply recommended to do the infusion or soursop tea
.May help alleviate respiratory tract ailments When the common cold strikes, it usually occurs with an associated group of symptoms, including many that affect the respiratory tract. Commonly, sneezing, sore throat and cough are among these symptoms, and each requires separate treatment.
However, soursop can help thin mucus secretions, soothe throat irritation, and even act as a mild expectorant, soothing many associated symptoms. Not to forget that soursop also has antimicrobial properties, which can help speed recovery by promoting the elimination of any foreign pathogens that may linger.
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Contraindications and side effects
Parkinson’s disease: Research indicates that the alkaloids extracted from Graviola can cause neuronal dysfunction and degeneration leading to symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Low blood pressure: Soursop can also cause blood vessel dilation and low blood pressure. Although this is beneficial for those with high blood pressure, it is not for those who already have low blood pressure.
Nausea Consuming large amounts of soursop can cause sedation, nausea, and vomiting.
drug interaction By consuming soursop, you can also cause its properties to react with drug formulations, including antihypertensives, cardiac depressant drugs, vasodilators, MAO inhibitors, and antidepressants, which can increase or decrease its effect on the body.
abortion Soursop consumption is not considered safe for pregnant women. This is because the properties present in the fruit can cause premature uterine contractions, leading to miscarriage.
hallucinations Consuming soursop in excessive amounts can also cause nervous changes and even cause hallucinations.
As you have seen, although soursop is very beneficial for health, the fruit should be eaten in moderation, especially in specific cases, so as not to cause unwanted side effects.
After all, anything in excess, even foods from nature, can be harmful. In this case, the advice is to research the effects of fruits well before including them on the menu. Prevention is always better than cure, okay?
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