Soursop

Soursop

Scientific Name: Annona muricata
Classification: Herb

Health Uses: Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Parasitic, Antibacterial, Antioxidants, Blood Sugar, Fever, Respiratory Health, Skin Conditions, Tumor Prevention

The fruit graviola, or soursop, offers both a delicious flavor and excellent health benefits. It’s a healthy option for those looking for an additional source of antioxidants, has cancer cell-killing properties, and may help reduce inflammation.
Ethnobotanical studies have reported that A.muricata is used to treat bacterial and fungal infections, as it possesses anthelmintic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. It has also been used as an analgesic and to treat fever, respiratory and skin illnesses, diabetes, and internal and external parasites. In several tropical sub-Saharan countries such as Uganda, all parts of the plant are used to treat malaria, stomach ache, parasitic infections, diabetes, and cancer

Health Benefits

Many of the reported benefits of soursop are due to its high content of antioxidants.

Antioxidants are compounds that help neutralize harmful compounds called free radicals, which can cause damage to cells. Some research shows that antioxidants could play a role in reducing the risk of several diseases, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes

May Help Kill Cancer Cells

Although most research is currently limited to test-tube studies, some studies have found that soursop could potentially help eliminate cancer cells.

One test-tube study treated breast cancer cells with soursop extract. Interestingly enough, it was able to reduce tumor size, kill off cancer cells and enhance the activity of the immune system

Inflammation

Some animal studies have found that soursop and its components may be able to help fight inflammation.

Inflammation is a normal immune response to injury, but increasing evidence shows that chronic inflammation could contribute to disease.

In one study, rats were treated with soursop extract, which was found to decrease swelling and alleviate inflammation

Blood Sugar

Soursop has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels in some animal studies. In one study, diabetic rats were injected with soursop extract for two weeks. Those who received the extract had blood sugar levels that were five times lower than the untreated group.

Another study showed that administering soursop extract to diabetic rats reduced blood sugar levels by up to 75%

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