Soursop: The Cancer Fighting Fruit

Historically, soursop (graviola) is one of the most versatile plants in natural medicine. With its nutrient rich leaf, bark, stem and seeds there have been many conditions that have been treated with its use.

As a small evergreen you may find this plant mostly In the warm tropical regions of North and South America and it serves many natural uses, from household  to medicinal.

Apart from being used in the preparation of meals and beverages, the benefits of soursop include: antibiotic, sedative, antiparasitic, cathartic, and anti-tumor. 

Soursop is rich in a varient of vitamins and nutrients and it also has 220 groups of annonaceous acetogenins, which has been investigated for its multiple effects with cancer cells, malaria, pesticide, and parasite activity . 

Medicinal Uses of Soursop

Traditionally, there is speculation that soursop serves a number of different roles in the human body. These roles affect the immune system and neurological system, as the active ingredients in soursop provide antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-fungal properties.

• Antibacterial: Over the course of history they have been reports of soursop being used as a broad spectrum antibiotic, treating a number of non resistant infections historically when many individuals did not have access to pharmaceutical treatments .

• Antidepressant: Certain studies have shown that constituents of soursop have similar properties of antidepressant medications such as MAO Inhibitors and medications that control serotonin, which is crucial in the control of mood and emotions.

• Anti-fungal: Within the seed of soursop there is a lectin that helps to inhibit fungal growth.

• Insecticidal: Soursop has been used to control household pest such as roaches due to its acetogenic effects.

Certain studies have also investigated the anti-inflammatory, cardiogenic and antiviral effect of Soursop as it shows to reduce symptoms associated with herpes simplex virus 1 and lowering of high blood pressure.

Possible Adverse Effects

Although there are many promising benefits associated with the use of soursop, there is also a side effect reported that questions its safety. In large inappropriate amounts, soursop has show to negatively affect the central nervous system. This effect may be exhibited in forms of movement and function disorders similar to those seen in Parkinson's disease. Therefore,  for safety purposes, soursop should be used with caution and not consumed in large unadulterated quantities, as it can possibly cause neurotoxicity and movement disorders.

Nutritional Facts

1  cup of soursop pulp (225G)

Calories 148

Total Carbohydrates 37.9 g

Total Fat 0.7 g

Protein 2.3 g

Vitamin A 4.5 IU

Vitamin C 46.4 mg

Vitamin E 0.2 mg

Folate 31.5 mcg

Calcium 31.5 mg

Iron 1.4 mg

Magnesium 47.3 mg

Potassium 626 mg

Cholesterol 0.0 mg

Water 183 g

Reference

[1] Graviola. Natural Medicine Database. Retrieved  4 July 2017 from https://naturalmedicines-therapeuticresearch-com.ezproxy.fau.edu/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=1054#background.

[2] Moghadamtousi, S. Z., Fadaeinasab, M., Nikzad, S., Mohan, G., Ali, H. M., & Kadir, H. A. (2015). Annona muricata (Annonaceae): A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Isolated Acetogenins and Biological Activities. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 16(7), 15625–15658. http://doi.org/10.3390/ijms160715625

[3] Soursop, raw Nutrition Facts & Calories. (2017). Nutritiondata.self.com. Retrieved 4 July 2017, from http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/2063/2#ixzz4lth51jRo