In this article, we discuss soursop health benefits and side effects.
Soursop is a fruit belonging to the family of custard apple. Its scientific name is Annona muricata.
Its trees are found mainly in Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. Due to its increasing popularity, this fruit is now being seen all over the world.
The outer skin of this fruit is green in color, on which thorn-like bumps are found. Inside, this fruit is white pulp, in which many seeds are present. It has a mild sour-sweet taste in food, which resembles a mixture of strawberries and pineapples.
Health Benefits of Soursop:
1. Relieve Inflammation:
A research conducted by the Journal of Medicinal Food provides evidence that soursop can also be used to relieve inflammation.
Actually, a research was done on rats with the aim of investigating the analgesic (painkiller) and anti-inflammatory (reducing inflammation) effect of soursop. In research, positive effects of soursop were found.
On this basis, it can be assumed that the benefits of soursop can be achieved even in the problem of inflammation and pain.
2. Prevent Cancer:
The benefits of eating soursop can also be seen in the prevention of cancer. A research conducted by the Oxford Journal confirms this. Research has found that soursop has anticancer properties along with other medicinal properties.
Along with this, it is also mentioned in research that soursop can be used mainly in the prevention of prostate cancer (cancer in the sperm gland), rectal cancer (cancer of the large intestine) and breast cancer. However, cancer is a serious disease, which requires medical treatment.
3. Beneficial for the eyes:
One of the benefits of eating soursop is that it can also help in maintaining eye health. The reason is that along with special elements like vitamin-C and beta-carotene, vitamin-A is also found in it.
These combined can prove to be helpful in maintaining eye health. According to experts, on the one hand, vitamin-C and beta-carotene play the role of an antioxidant (destroyer of free radicals), preventing the damage of various cells present in the body. On the other hand, vitamin A directly proves to be effective in reducing many risks related to the eyes.
On this basis it would not be wrong to say that using soursop can help in maintaining eye health.
4. Helpful in Diabetes:
The benefits of eating soursop can also prove to be helpful for patients suffering from the problem of diabetes . This is evidenced by research conducted by Bio-Chemistry Research International.
In research, it is believed that the extract of soursop has the ability to reduce the risk factors of type 2 diabetes (eg:- alpha-amlase and alpha-glucoside). Let us tell you that alpha-amlase and alpha-glucoside are the two main enzymes, which separate glucose from food and supply sugar in the body.
Due to this ability, this fruit exhibits antidiabetic (blood sugar lowering) effect. In such a situation, it would not be wrong to say that soursop can prove to be very beneficial for people suffering from the problem of diabetes.
5. Keep Infection Away:
The benefits of soursop can prove to be helpful even in the problem of infection. This has been acknowledged in a research published on the website of NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information).
According to experts, soursop has the ability to prevent infection caused by viruses and parasites. Given this fact, it would not be wrong to say that soursop can be used as a protection against infection caused by some common viruses and parasites.
6. Improves Respiratory System Function:
The use of soursop can also prove beneficial in problems related to the respiratory system. Actually, a research related to this fruit mentions that in many countries this fruit is used for a problem like cough.
However, more research is needed on how effective this would be. On the other hand, subject experts also believe that the use of soursop can work to provide relief in some problems like asthma disease and shortness of breath.
On this basis, it can be said that the benefits of soursop can also be achieved in maintaining the health of the respiratory system.
7. Keep Kidney and Liver Healthy:
The use of soursop can also prove to be helpful in maintaining kidney and liver health.
According to experts, due to the medicinal properties present in this fruit, it can improve liver and kidney function.
At the same time, it can also prove to be helpful in reducing the effects of some problems related to these organs. However, more research needs to be done on how effective it is for liver and kidney health.
8. Keep Stomach Healthy:
Along with maintaining digestive health, the benefits of eating soursop can also be reaped for getting relief from many stomach related problems.
According to experts, soursop is rich in fiber, which plays a beneficial role for digestive health.
On the other hand, it can also provide relief in the problem of hemorrhoids, along with the problem of abdominal cramps and pain due to upset stomach.
On this basis, it can be assumed that soursop can help in maintaining stomach health by removing stomach related disorders.
9. Helpful in Hypertension:
The use of soursop can also prove to be helpful in controlling hypertension i.e. increased blood pressure. This is confirmed on the basis of a research published on the website of NCBI.
Patients included in the research were given 200 grams of soursop juice daily for three months. As a result, in conclusion, subject experts agreed that consuming soursop can help in controlling increased blood pressure. Given this fact, it would not be wrong to say that soursop can be used as a better option in the problem of hypertension.
10. Relieve Fever:
A research conducted by the International Journal of Molecular Sciences mentions that the benefits of soursop include reducing fever.
Research has believed that Hanuman fruit has antimalarial and antiparasitic (parasite destroying) effects. Along with this, it is also helpful in reducing common fever. On this basis it can be said that soursop can also be used to get relief from fever.
11. Strengthen the Immune System:
Soursop can also prove to be beneficial for people with a weak immune system. According to experts, a special element called beta-carotene is found in this fruit.
This element can help in reducing the effects of free radicals as well as boosting immunity. Due to this, the ability of the person to fight against infections and diseases caused by infection increases. On this basis, it would not be wrong to say that consuming soursop can help in strengthening the body's immunity.
12. Relieve Arthritis:
As we have already told you in the article that soursop has analgesic (pain reliever) and anti-inflammatory (reducing inflammation) effect.
According to experts, due to the presence of both these effects, this fruit can help in relieving the problem of joint pain and muscle inflammation due to arthritis. On this basis, we can say that soursop can also be used to get relief from arthritis.
13. Beneficial for Hair:
There is no direct evidence that soursop is beneficial for hair. Yes, it is definitely that due to its antifungal properties, it can definitely provide some relief in the problem of hair loss due to fungus infection.
Actually, antifungal properties are found in soursop, we have already told about this in the article. At the same time, according to experts, one of the main causes of hair loss is a fungal infection.
On this basis, it can be said that if someone has a problem of hair fall due to fungus, then the use of soursop can prove to be beneficial to some extent.
14. Beneficial for the skin:
Soursop can also be beneficial for the skin. A research conducted by the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research confirms this.
Research has believed that the extract of Soursop has antimicrobial (bacteria destroying) and antifungal (fungus destroying) effects along with other medicinal properties. Both of these effects are directly related to the skin.
On this basis, it would not be wrong to say that the use of Soursop extract can prove beneficial to protect the skin from bacterial and fungal infections. At the moment, more research needs to be done on how it is beneficial for the skin directly.
Side Effects of Soursop:
1.Although it is beneficial for digestive health, but due to its antimicrobial properties, excessive consumption can prove to be harmful for digestive health. According to experts, due to this quality, excessive consumption of Hanuman fruit can also destroy beneficial bacteria for the stomach.
2.As you have already been told in the article that it can help in reducing blood pressure. Therefore, people suffering from low blood pressure should avoid consuming this fruit. Also, if people with high blood pressure take regular medicine, then they must consult their doctor once before using this fruit.
3.This fruit should not be used during pregnancy at all. The reason is that the use of Hanuman fruit during this time can cause uterine contractions, which is harmful for both the mother and the baby.
4.If there is a problem of allergy to any fruit or food, then consume it only after consulting a doctor.
If you like this article about soursop health benefits and side effects, consider sharing this article with friends.
Disclaimer: The information here is based on general assumptions and what experts have said. Consult a doctor if you have any problems.
