HEALTH BENEFITS OF SOUR SOP

 

Sour sop is known by different names in different countries. The Spanish call it guanabana, The Brazilian Portuguese call it graviola while the European Portuguese call it anona. In Malayalam, it is called mullaatha literally meaning thorny custard apple. Sour sop is a prickly green fruit about 20 -30 cm. long which can have a mass of up to 7.0 kg, making it probably the second biggest anona after the jungle sop.Being abundant in vitamins and minerals, soursop offers several health benefits. It is often recommended by the practitioners of herbal medicine to cure various ailments ranging from stomach ailments to intestinal worms.

The flesh of the fruit consists of an edible, white pulp, some fiber and a core of indigestible black seeds. The specie is the only member of its family suitable for processing and preservation.  

The flesh of the sour sop is high in carbohydrate, particularly fructose which is easily assimilated, proteins, fats, vitamin B, vitamin B2, vitamin C, and mineral salts. It helps ease the emptying of the gall bladder and has digestive and also vermifuge properties. It is recommended for people suffering from high blood pressure, obesity, heart disorders and diabetes. The sweet pulp is used to make juice which can be sweetened with honey and candies.

Soursop fruit contains calcium and phosphorus which are beneficial for strong bones and help to prevent osteoporosis.

 

Increases Energy And Endurance

Soursop has a high content of fructose, a simple sugar (monosachharide). Being a good natural source of carbohydrates, it can keep you fresh and drain energy. This fruit also increases endurance because of its high vitamin C content.

 

Vitamin B1 in soursop accelerates metabolism, blood circulation and prevents nervous disorders. It also contains vitamin B2, which is vital for the body’s energy production, fat storage, the functioning of nervous system and maintenance of heart muscle.

 

Soursop is effective in curing hemorrhoid. For this purpose, squeeze the fruit to take out at least one cup water and drink it twice a day in the morning and afternoon for relief. In case of infant diarrhea, 2-3 tablespoons of this water should be given to infants.

 Since the fruit is rich in soluble and insoluble fibers, it relieves constipation by adding bulk to stool and facilitating its easy elimination from the body.

The flesh of this fruit is nearly 84% water which hydrates your body. It acts as a natural diuretic to treat edema or retention of water.

Soursop fruit contains a chemical called tryptophan which promotes sleepiness and relaxation. It is, thus, beneficial for insomniacs. Soursop leaves are often used in aromatherapy and infusions for sleep. Soursop fruit helps in controlling blood pressure and hypertension

 

Due to its high moisture content, soursop is effective in treating and preventing urinary tract infections (UTI), urethritis and hematuria. The juice of the fruit can be taken orally in case of urethritis, hematuria, and liver ailments.

Soursop is loaded with nutrients which are vital for the overall development of the body. The nutrients like amino acids, ascorbic acid, calcium, carbohydrates, iron, phosphorus, thiamine, fibers, and riboflavin can inhibit parasites inside the body. Benefits O

 

Soursop fruit has a high content of vitamin C, which is an excellent antioxidant. It increases endurance and slows down the aging process.

 Fights Free Radicals

The ascorbic acid in soursop fruit increases the amount of antioxidants in the body which play an important role in fighting the free radicals, thereby keeping a number of infections and disorders at bay.

Soursop fruit contains substances like acetogenins, anncatacin, annocatalin, annonacin, annohexocin, annomuricin, anomurine, anonol, gentistic acid, linoleic acid, and muricarpentocin which enable our body to stay fit and improve immunity against various diseases.

Soursop has a high ratio of potassium (278mg/100g) to sodium (14mg/100 g), which makes it beneficial for those suffering from hypertension

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As stated earlier, soursop is a rich source of vitamin C and ascorbic acid which increases the amount of antioxidants. These antioxidants play an important role in fighting the free radicals which are responsible for aging of the skin. By eliminating free radicals, they significantly reduce the signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.

The leaf of the sour sop is sometimes used by the Philippines in tendering meat. The leaves are also used in infusion as anti diartheic and digestive. In the form of poultice, it can be applied as a remedy to a contagious disease causing painful swelling at the sides of the neck and face because of its anti – inflammatory properties.Soursop leaves have proven to be effective in killing 12 types of cancer cells, thus preventing colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer. Unlike chemotherapy, they can attack cancer cells without any side effects such as nausea, weight loss, hair loss, etc. Moreover, it is 10,000 times more effective than chemotherapy and adriamycin in slowing the growth of cancer cells.

For this purpose, 10 old soursop leaves can be boiled in three cups of water until one cup remains. This concoction should be given to the cancer patient twice a day for two weeks to get noticeable results. The fruit contains annanaceous acetogenins which can stop the growth of damaged cells before they become cancerous and are particularly beneficial in fighting breast cancer. Soursop leaves not only kill abnormal cancer cells but also allow cells to grow normally.The leaves of soursop plant are believed to have analgesic properties which can relieve pain. These leaves are often chewed or applied to open wounds. Their juice is effective in healing the wound while relieving pain from injury. In case of excess pain, boil 20 soursop leaves in 5 cups of water until 3 cups are left and drink ¾ cup of this concoction once in a day for relief.

  you are suffering from mouth ulcers, you can mash a soursop leaf with water and apply it on the boils. This will gradually decrease the size of the ulcers to cure them completely as well as reduce irritation.

Tea made from soursop helps to lower the body temperature. In Africa, children were often bathed in soursop leaves to cure fever

 

The flowers of sour sop are not exempted from its medicinal components. The flowers are being used as herbal tea in influenza and bronchial catarrh due to its pectoral and ferbifuge properties. Infusion of the flowers can be prepared with one or two flowers per cup of water. While the infusion of the leaves is prepared with two or three leaves per cup of water and taken three or four cups dailyin health stores.   

 Hair Benefits

As we all know, healthy hair is an indication of a healthy body as hair follicles also require an adequate supply of nutrients for their growth and maintenance. Deficiency of certain vital vitamins, minerals and nutrients can cause hair problems like thinning, dandruff, hair loss, premature graying, etc. In general, the nutritional value of soursop is favorable for healthy hair.

Soursop leaves are quite effective in keeping parasites at bay. Head lice are one of these which multiply quickly, thus adversely affecting hair health. A decoction made from soursop leaves can be applied to your scalp to get rid of head lice.