Soursop, also known as graviola, is a fruit that is popular for its delicious flavor and cancer capability. Some say it tastes like a cross between a mango and a pineapple, two of the tastiest fruits. Whether you are a vegan or just a fruit lover, this succulent fruit can offer many health benefits. Soursop is a prickly green fruit and has a creamy texture. Most consumers supplement it to their diet, those who have the tree, eat it raw by cutting it in half and scooping out the flesh. Graviola is used for cooking and medicinal purposes. Researchers continue to unearth a variety of health benefits, including its anti-cancer property.
Before we move on, allow me to tell you a little more about this fruit with many names. You may be familiar with this amazing heart-shaped fruit but perhaps you know it by another name. Depending on where you live you may know soursop as guanabana, sirsak or graviola; however, they are all the same things. As soursop ripens it becomes a light green color externally and slightly soft. It is important to note that the skin and seeds are inedible and should never be eaten as they are toxic in nature. The tips of the prickles on a ripe soursop break off very easily. If the fruit is not ripe it can be stored in the dark until it fully ripens. Soursop has a sweet, acidic taste and the white fleshy part inside is quite nutritious.
In this post, you will learn how 18 soursop benefits for your skin, hair, as well as your overall health.
- Reduces Symptoms of fibromyalgia
A group of researchers from the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Seville have published a study in 2028 in the journal Pharma Nutrition which showed graviola leaves supplement can not only alleviate pain associated with chronic pain of fibromyalgia but also symptoms of anxiety and depression. The study was conducted on mice which makes it challenging for people to reach a conclusion of the effects on humans.
- Helps boost the immune system
The powerful antioxidants especially the vitamin C in soursop help to boost the immune system. One hole soursop fruit contains 215% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. The fruit and the leaves of soursop contain many antioxidants which include tannins, flavonoids and phytosterols.
- Promotes healthy digestion
The whole soursop fruit has around 83% of the daily recommended allowance of fiber. This nutrient is vital to maintain a healthy digestive system. Fiber can prevent issue such as constipation and promote regularity.
- Stabilizes blood pressure
It is imperative that you maintain a healthy blood pressure. One of the most contributing factors to high blood pressure is a high intake of sodium. Potassium is the nutrient that helps rid the body of sodium in the walls of your blood vessels. A whole soursop fruit offers 1/3 to 1/2 of your daily recommended allowance of potassium.
- Helps reduce pain and inflammation
Soursop contains antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation and damage to your cells caused by oxidative stress. In the Caribbean Graviola is known for being a great pain reliever. Topical application is commonly used on wounds and external injuries to reduce pain and speed up healing. Tea and the juice are used for internal pain. In addition, the anti-inflammatory property of soursop makes it an ideal remedy for many types of pain.
- Helps fight bacteria
There was a study done on the extract from soursop that found it may be able to kill many different types of bacteria including strains that cause cavities and gum disease. There was another study that found it may be able to fight staphylococcus and cholera bacteria.
- Fights cancer cells
There are studies being done on soursop that show this natural ingredient may be beneficial to help prevent certain cancers. One study found that the extract could actually stop the formation of leukemia cells while another study found soursop extract may kill breast cancer cells and reduce the sides of cancer treatment. These results are promising however, more research needs to be done on humans before reaching a conclusion.
- May help stabilize blood sugar
At this point, testing on blood sugar levels after ingesting soursop have not been done on humans. Animal testing in several studies have shown positive results. In one study they injected rats with soursop extract for two weeks and those who received the extract had blood sugar levels that were five times lower than a group that was untreated. There was another study that showed administering soursop extract to diabetic rats reduced blood sugar levels up to 75%.
- Promotes destruction of free radicals
Soursop promotes the destruction of free radicals with its nutrient-rich vitamins and antioxidants. You can benefit from the power of this fruits healing properties both internally and externally.
- Decreases itchy skin
The anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties of soursop makes it a very effective alternative treatment for itchy skin. When soursop is regularly applied to the skin it can calm itchiness and promote healthy skin. Soursop leaves have even been used for calming the skin of babies.
- Alternative treatment for acne
Soursop is one of the most effective remedies in treating acne as it helps to heal the skin and promotes regeneration because of its anti-bacterial properties.
- Glow and hydrate skin inside out
In order to have glowing skin, you need an ascorbic acid and vitamin C that helps hyperpigmented areas. Soursop has also been shown to give your skin a healthy, beautiful glow. Graviola’s moisturizing properties also make it an effective natural treatment against dry skin. The hydrating agent saponins promote a natural and healthy moisturized skin from inside out. A popular dry skin remedy involves application of the pulp with your favorite oil.
- Reduces signs of aging
If you want to look younger you should add soursop into your daily skin care routine. This fruit will help get rid of fine lines, fight off wrinkles and other signs of aging. The antioxidants in soursop play a key role when it comes to anti-aging benefits. A simple way to benefit the anti-aging propriety is by adding a small amount of soursop powder into your cream or create your ow mask.
- Promotes deep sleep
Soursop leaves can help you sleep better if you have difficulty falling sleep at night. Being mildly sedative, the leaves relax the mind, reduce anxiety and nervousness, promote relaxation and induce sleep. If you cannot fresh leave use teabags.
- Alternative treatment for eczema and rashes
Soursop’s anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties help to prevent skin infections and treat other skin problems such as eczema and skin rashes.
- Slows hair greying
Anti-oxidant compounds and vitamin C contained in soursop not only slows hair greying but also protects your hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage. The juice and the leaves are used to reduce the risk a premature gray as well as improves split ends and dry hair. All of these characteristics encourage the growth of new hair follicles. But there is no research to confirm these claims.
- Promotes lustrous hair growth
Soursop has many vital nutrients, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Nutrients in soursop like iron, potassium, B vitamins and zinc strengthen your hair and minimizes the risk of hair loss. There is an abundance of essential nutrients in soursop that protects the hair from unstabilized ions called free radicals and helps maintain beautiful lustrous hair.
- Aids and resolving scalp conditions
Many people are not aware that scalp acne is a problem that affects millions due to the pollutants, dirt an impurity’s they gather in the pores of our scalp. The dietary fiber in soursop eliminates these impurities from your scalp and our systems. Dietary fiber can also control the secretion of excess oil from the skin glands and prevent scalp acne from progressing. Antioxidants in soursop can help with another common problem which is dandruff. Most people experience shame when flakes from dandruff is on their clothes. Eating soursop can help you resolve this issue.
