Health Benefits of Soursop (Guyabano)

Other common names include: guanábana (Spanish), graviola (brazilian Portuguese), "Anôna" (portuguese), corossol (French),කටු අනෝදා (Sinhalese), sorsaka (Papiamento), adunu (Acholi), Brazilian pawpaw, guyabano, guanavana, toge-banreisi, durian benggala,nangka blanda, sirsak, zuurzak and nangka londa.^[1] In Malayalam, it is called mullaatha, literally thorny custard apple. The other lesser-known Indian names are shul-ram-fal and hanuman fal. and in Harar (Ethiopia) in Harari language known for centuries as Amba Shoukh (Throny Mango or Throny Fruite ). In the Ga language of Ghana, it is called aluguntugui.

-Source Common Names @ Wiki-

 Did you know that soursop can prevent UTI? Find out what this exotic spiky fruit is loaded with that can help prevent this infection including other health promoting goodness it has to offer.

If you haven’t tasted soursop, then you don’t know what you’re missing. Its heart-shaped green spiky exterior may probably don’t look appetizing. But when you eat its luscious creamy white flesh, your taste buds will feast on the delicious combination of strawberry and pineapple with sour citrus notes contrasting with an underlying rich flavor reminiscent of coconut or banana. In the Philippines, it is believed to be good against internal parasites. But whether it’s effective or not, the many nutrients its loaded with has so many health promoting goodness to offer.

For every cup (225 g) of pulp, here’s how nutritious it is.

1.       Prevents UTI (Vitamin C-77% DV)

Soursop is an excellent source of vitamin C, a nutrient which increases the acidity level of urine, resulting in decreased number of harmful bacteria that may be present in the urinary tract. Other high vitamin C fruits include guava, kiwifruit, papaya and strawberries.

2.       Prevents constipation (Fiber-30% DV)

Before you reach for laxatives to treat your onstipation, you might first want to try eating fiber-rich fruits like soursop. Avocados and papayas are also helpful. Fiber also aids in weight loss and lowers the risk of colon problems.

3.       Prevents leg cramps (Potassium-18% DV)

It contains half the potassium in bananas. Lack of potassium, together with magnesium, calcium and sodium (also known as electrolytes) in the body can cause muscle weakness and cramping.

4.       Prevents water retention (Magnesium-12% DV)

Women who experience water retention before their monthly period would benefit from the soursop’s rich magnesium content. It may help alleviate this annoying premenstrual symptom.

5.       Helps the body produce energy (Thiamin-11% DV)

Feeling a little tired? Eat soursop! It can supply the body a good amount of thiamin, the B vitamin which is needed in aerobic energy production, the process when oxygen is used to help convert sugar into usable energy.

6.       Keeps bones healthy (Copper-10% DV)

It is loaded with the trace mineral copper. Calcium contributes only about 25% to the prevention of bone loss as magnesium, manganese, zinc and copper are also equally crucial for healthy bones. Zinc and copper boost the effectiveness of vitamin D, which promotes the absorption of calcium.

7.       Boosts good cholesterol levels (Niacin-10%)

Worried about your cholesterol? Fresh fruits and veggies are the perfect choice! Soursop is a good source of niacin, a vitamin which studies show has significant benefits on levels of HDL, the good cholesterol.

8.       Prevents pregnancy complications (Folate-8% DV)

This spiky fruit contains folate. Studies have proven that folate intake during pregnancy prevents deficiency in pregnant women. A lack of this mineral during pregnancy may contribute to birth defects and pregnancy loss.

9.       Helps prevent anemia (Iron-8% DV)

It can provide iron which prevents the common blood disorder anemia – a condition in which the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells. RBC is responsible for the distribution of oxygen to the body tissues, giving the body energy.

10.   Helps prevent migraines (Riboflavin-7% DV)

Headache? Try soursop! It has riboflavin. Several studies have shown that high riboflavin intake helps prevent migraines.

Soursop is one of the top fruits high in sugar. Eating too much may also contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease due to its very high concentration of annonacin.

* Nutrient data source: USDA

Guyabano Health Benefits – It Cures Cancer?

Guyabano/ soursop/ guayabano/ graviolla has the following health benefits according to Bureau of Plant Industry:

Analyses of the fruit flesh showed that it is deficient in calcium and phosphorus. According to Jansen and Donath it is deficient in vitamin A. Hermano and Sepulveda, however, report that it is an excellent source of vitamins B and C. Prinsan-Geerlings reports that the flesh of the fruit contains saccharose 2.53%, dextrose 5.05% and levulose 0.04 %.

The bark was studied by Greshoff who isolated the amorphous alkaloid, soluble in sodium or potassium hydroxide, but according to Ridley and Daruty is astringent, and is used in powdered form for diarrhea and dysentery. Kirtikar, Basu and Nadkarni say that it is much used as tonic by the Malays and Chinese. The fruit is used as an anthelmintic. The unripe and dried fruit as astringent. Used to cure diarrhea among the Amerindians. With sugar, the pulp is refreshing, and is prescribed for diarrhea in Guiana, Antilles and Reunion. Tavera reports the roots are used by Amerindians to treat epilepsy.

I am not done yet. There are more!

1. The fruit is claimed to be a miraculous natural cancer cell killer 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy. It has anti tumor effect and a proven remedy to all types of cancer.

2. A potent antimicrobial agent for both bacterial and fungal infections. Effective against internal parasites and worms, lowers high blood pressure and is used for depression, stress and nervous disorders.

3. It protects immune system and helps avoid deadly infections.

By NELLY FAVIS-VILLAFUERTE

Manila Bulletin

Have you heard of the wonderful news that guyabano, a native fruit abundant in our country has awesome healing power in twelve (12) types of cancer, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer? Unbelievably, studies show that the compound extracted from guyabano is 10,000 times more potent in slowing the growth of cancer cells than adriamycin, a commonly used drug in chemotherapy. And yet the guyabano compound kills only cancer cells and does not harm healthy cells. Research further shows that extracts from guyabano as a cancer cure do not cause severe nausea, weight loss or hair loss and the patient feels stronger during the treatment episode – compared to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

The scientific name of guyabano (a Tagalog word sometimes spelled as guayabano or guanabano) is annona muricata. In English, the fruit is known as soursop and the tree is known as the Graviola tree. In Brazil the fruit is known as pawpaw.

The graviola tree grows in warm tropical areas like in South America and in the Philippines. All parts of the guyabano, like bark, leaves, roots, fruits and seed are natural cures for many kinds of ailments. Aside from being a natural cancer treatment, guyabano is a sedative, a tranquilizer and a nerve tonic. It is also effective in maintaining our intestinal health like eliminating stomach and bowel discomforts. By lowering blood pressure, guyabano has a calming effect on our moods.

Here are additional trivia about the medicinal benefits of guyabano (soursop): -• Do you know that in Netherlands, guyabano leaves are placed inside pillows or placed on top of the mattress to induce a good night’s sleep;• Do you know that the leaves can be used as a cure for gall bladder trouble as well as coughs, diarrhea, dysentery, fever and indigestion;• Do you know that the juice taken when fasting is reported to relieve liver ailments and leprosy;• Do you know that the seeds can be used in the treatment of vomiting;

• Do you know that the leaf decoction is effective for head lice and bedbugs; and• Do you know that the crushed fresh leaves applied to skin eruptions hastens healing;

Yes, my dear readers. Guyabano is not just an ordinary fibrous fruit with a delectable flavor (a sweet-acidic taste). It is a healthy food. It is a safe and effective natural cancer killer which has the ability to kill cancer cells and preserves the healthy cells at the same time. This is the claim to fame of the graviola tree, a wonderful gift of our Lord God to us.

Health benefits

Nutritionally, the fruit is high in carbohydrates, particularly fructose. The fruit also contains significant amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2.  The fruit, seeds, and leaves have a number of herbal medicinal uses among indigenous peoples of regions where the plant is common.

There is evidence indicating that the fruit's extracts selectively inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells by downregulating expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in vitro and in a mouse model, but the effect has not been studied in humans.

Health risks

Research carried out in the Caribbean has suggested a connection between consumption of soursop and atypical forms of Parkinson's disease due to the very high concentration of annonacin.

According to Cancer Research UK, Annona muricata is an active principle in an unlicensed herbal remedy marketed under the brand name Triamazon.  Triamazon is not licensed for medicinal use and the sale of the product resulted in a conviction on four counts of selling unlicensed medical products, and other charges, for a vendor in the United Kingdom.


/wiki


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