Know More About Guanabana Fruit or Graviola (Soursop)!
Guanabana fruit or Graviola comes from the evergreen tree soursop tree that is extensively found in Mexico, the Caribbean and parts of South America.1 The fruit is very delicious and the taste is a combination of strawberry and pineapple, with other sweet and citrus notes. This Guanabana Fruit or Graviola (soursop) has wonderful health benefits like they help in killing off parasites, improve respiratory conditions, reduce inflammation, treat some kinds of cancer, enhance the immune system and many more.
Nutritional Facts of Guanabana Fruit or Graviola (Soursop):
Guanabana fruit or graviola (soursop) is loaded with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin C. It also contains minerals like calcium, zinc, potassium, phosphorous and magnesium. The stem, bark and the leaves of the fruit are rich in antioxidant, particularly Coenzyme Q10 which helps in fighting inflammation, eliminate free radicals and ensure that your body is functioning at optimum levels.
So, with all these healthy nutrients present, the fruits makes people healthy and improves their life in a great manner.
What are the Health Benefits of Guanabana Fruit or Graviola (Soursop)?
Recently, guanabana fruit or graviola (soursop) has become popular in the west; however, it has a long history in ancient herbal treatments. There are a lot of health benefits of the fruit, which are discussed below:
Benefits of Guanabana Fruit or Graviola in Parasite Control:
The anti-parasitic nature of guanabana fruit, has made it a popular treatment in many rural areas of Latin America and South America, especially in areas where parasitic infections are more common. By brewing a tea from the leaves of the guanabana plant, you can cleanse your gut and ensure that your gasterointestinal system is running properly.
Respiratory Health Benefits of Guanabana Fruit or Graviola2
Yet another health benefit of the fruit is that, it helps if you are struggling with a cold, cough or other forms of respiratory ailment. This is because of the anti-inflammatory properties of the fruit that helps in clearing out your airways, relieves congestion and soothes any kind of irritation. Acting partially as an expectorant, guanabana or graviola (soursop) fruit is a reliable way for eliminating phlegm and mucus where many pathogens can survive. It can also speed the recovery by reducing inflammation of the nasal cavities and respiratory tracts.
Anti-inflammatory Property of Guanabana Fruit or Graviola is Beneficial in Treating Conditions Like Gout:
Because of the anti-inflammatory properties of the fruit, it helps if you are suffering from joint pain or joint inflammation, especially because of the conditions like gout or arthritis1.You can find some real relief rubbing a decoction of the fruit on the affected area. The anti-inflammatory property of Guanabana Fruit or Graviola(Soursop) can also help in quick healing and also soothe pain and improve flexibility.
Stress Relieving Benefits of Guanabana Fruit or Graviola:
The tea prepared from the fruit is known to be used as a stress relieving strategy for centuries. There are some soothing and anti-inflammatory properties of the guanabana fruit or graviola (soursop) that make it very effective in case you are suffering from excess stress and anxiety.2 Stress hormones in the body can be detrimental and can mess with the natural metabolic cycles of your body, and also your sleep schedule. Taking the tea prepared from the fruit will also help you in getting relief from insomnia or restless sleep.
Immune Booster:
One of the most important components of a healthy diet and fitness regimen is protecting the body’s immune system. Adding a bit of the guanabana fruit or graviola (soursop) to your regular diet, either via refreshing beverages or desserts, can impact your overall health positively and keep you away from illness. As the fruit is loaded with vitamin C, it stimulates the production of White Blood Cells or WBC, while the concentration of antioxidants present in Guanabana Fruit or Graviola helps in neutralizing free radicals and prevents chronic diseases.
Cancer Prevention:
Some of the most important benefits of guanabana fruit or Graviola relate to its antioxidant activity, which comes from acetogenins and also quinolones and alkaloids.3 These have been directly linked to cancer prevention and also known to be beneficial in the reduction in the size of tumors.4 Guanabana Fruit or Graviola can help in treating breast cancers, pancreatic3, prostate and lung cancers.
Pain Relieving Benefits of Guanabana Fruit or Graviola (Soursop):
Guanabana fruit or graviola (soursop), is also known for its anti-inflammatory analgesic properties1, which makes it a helpful remedy for pain relief, when applied topically to wounds and injuries. It also works great internally in relieving pain and quicker recovery. The sedative and anti-inflammatory aspects of guanabana fruit or graviola (soursop), make it an ideal solution for all types of pain inside and outside of the body.
Gastrointestinal Health Benefits:
Guanabana fruit or graviola (soursop) is loaded with vitamin C. Because of this, it has been known to be a natural remedy for scurvy and dysentery. The juice of the fruit can also be a very effective diuretic, for cleansing the gastrointestinal tract and remove any excess toxins and salts out of the body. The anti-inflammatory components like alkaloids and quinolones in Guanabana Fruit or Graviola can reduce parasites in the gut and also alleviate the irritation and pain caused in the stomach or colon.2
Skin Health Benefits of Guanabana Fruit or Gravoila (Soursop):
There are tremendous skin health benefits of Guanabana Fruit or Graviola. You can pulverize the seeds of the fruit in to a powder, which can then be formulated in to a skin astringent, which aids in reducing lines and wrinkles and also improves the appearance of blemishes and age spots. You need to apply this paste topically to the affected areas on a regular basis and experience the charm of a healthier skin, and also protect yourself from microbial and bacterial infections.
Other Health Benefits of Guanabana Fruit or Graviola (Soursop):
Among other health benefits of the Guanabana fruit or graviola (soursop) include the following:
Regularizes Bowel Movements:
Being rich in fiber, guanabana fruit or graviola (soursop), when consumed regularly, can help you have a regular bowel movements. You do not have to worry about constipation and hemorrhoids, if you are taking guanabana fruit or graviola (soursop).
Increased Energy:
You feel active and energized when you take this fruit on a regular basis. It means you will not feel lethargic all day if you are consuming guanabana fruit or graviola (soursop).
Prevention of Heart and Nerve Disease:
Guanabana fruit or graviola (soursop), is known to be beneficial for proper circulation of blood, enhance metabolism and prevent damage to your nerves. Because of this, you will have a better functioning heart and nervous system will also get likely to be damaged less as you grow by your age; if you consume guanabana fruit or graviola (soursop) on a daily basis.
Prevention of Osteoporosis:
Guanabana is loaded with calcium and phosphorous, which helps in strengthening the bones and prevent diseases of bones and joints like osteoporosis.
Side Effects of Guanabana Fruit or Graviola (soursop):
- Just like most other herbal remedies, there are also some side effects of guanabana fruit or graviola (soursop).
- It is warned by the medical experts that pregnant and breastfeeding women must avoid guanabana pill, capsules and the fruit.
- There are also reports that consuming the fruit on a regular basis may put a person at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Conclusion:
Though there are some real wonderful health benefits of Guananabana fruit or graviola (soursop), it is essential to note that any new additions to your health regimen must be properly discussed with a trained medical professional. Do not take the fruit in excess, as there may be some side effects that may be dangerous at times. Moreover, everything in moderation is the right key to good health and happy life.
References
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Annona muricata (Annonaceae): A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Isolated Acetogenins and Biological Activities
Soheil Zorofchian Moghadamtousi,1 Mehran Fadaeinasab,2 Sonia Nikzad,1 Gokula Mohan,1 Hapipah Mohd Ali,2and Habsah Abdul Kadir1,*, Int J Mol Sci. 2015 Jul; 16(7): 15625–15658
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Emerging therapeutic potential of graviola and its constituents in cancers
Asif Khurshid Qazi,1 Jawed A Siddiqui,1 Rahat Jahan,1 Sanjib Chaudhary,1 Larry A Walker,2 Zafar Sayed,3Dwight T Jones,3 Surinder K Batra,1,4,5 and Muzafar A Macha1,3, Carcinogenesis. 2018 Apr; 39(4): 522–533.Published online 2018 Feb 15.
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Graviola: A Novel Promising Natural-Derived Drug That Inhibits Tumorigenicity and Metastasis of Pancreatic Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo Through Altering Cell Metabolism
María P. Torres,1,2 Satyanarayana Rachagani,1 Vinee Purohit,2 Poomy Pandey,3 Suhasini Joshi,1 Erik D. Moore,1Sonny L. Johansson,2,4 Pankaj K. Singh,1,2 Apar K. Ganti,5 and Surinder K. Batra1,2,4, Cancer Lett. 2012 Oct 1; 323(1): 29–40.
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Emerging therapeutic potential of graviola and its constituents in cancers.
Qazi AK1, Siddiqui JA1, Jahan R1, Chaudhary S1, Walker LA2, Sayed Z3, Jones DT3, Batra SK1,4,5, Macha MA1,3., Carcinogenesis. 2018 Apr 5;39(4):522-533. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgy024.