Have you ever heard of the green and spiky fruit called soursop? It is a fruit grown in the Caribbean, South and Central America. At first glance, soursop might not be the most delicious fruit ever. Still, the flesh inside this tropical fruit tastes way better than people expected. Even though soursop has a thorny appearance, the benefits of soursop affect excellently body health conditions that could increase your life expectancy.
Soursop Nutrition Facts
The following nutrients are some of the highlights from the USDA research for 1 cup of soursop pulp.
- Energy: 148 kcal
- Protein: 2.25 g
- Calcium: 31.5 mg
- Vitamin C: 46.4 mg
- Sugar: 30.5 g
- Fat: 0.7g
- Carbohydrates: 37.9g
Carbs and Fat
As mentioned above, there are almost 38 grams of carbohydrates per cup in soursop, which means it contains roughly a quarter of your recommended daily intake. Besides, the amount of fat is almost non-existence, relieving stress for anyone worried about soursop.
Vitamins and Minerals
Soursop is filled with micronutrients, such as Vitamin C, Potassium. The USDA recommends 90 and 626 milligrams intakes to support your immune system, blood pressure regulation and workout recovery.
Interestingly, these nutrients contain various benefits for one’s well-being. Not only that, soursop has numerous phytonutrients that can fight diseases that cause certain types of tumors, enhance eye wellness and improve overall health.
5 Amazing Health Benefits of Soursop
1. Contains anti-inflammatory properties
Looking for a means to combat inflammation? Soursop is the solution for that. A 2014 study by the U.S. National Library of Medicine on soursop has found some attributes that relieve pain and inflammatory conditions. Though only mice were used in the study, the experiment produced many beneficial outcomes for humans’ future usage.
2. Promotes Digestive Health
Soursop can help with proper digestion due to its high fiber content. By eliminating extra salt from the body, fruit juice may also serve as a diuretic and cleanse the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Stabilises Blood Conditions
Another study by the U.S. National Library of Medicine suggested that injecting an extract of soursop over two weeks could lower blood sugar levels five times more than normal.
Soursop contains potassium and sodium, two healthy substances for your body. They cooperate to filter bad stuff from your body, including excess salt and help your blood vessels relax, allowing better circulation.
4. Fights Cancer
Many studies were done to find organic composites as clues to fight cancer, and soursop is one of them. Similar to raspberry, it has been widely studied as an alternative for risk reduction for cancer. Additionally, scientists were able to extract leukemia cells, which have stopped the expansion and formation of cancer cells.
However, solid affirmation on human data is nowhere to be seen. Although experts from Cancer Treatment Centers of America notices some unsubstantial statements associated with soursop, drugs constructed from synthesized from soursop plants are proved to be more likely effective rather than the regular consumption of fruit or tea made from its leaves.
5. Enhances Eye Health
As mentioned in the USDA research, soursop is replete with antioxidants – such as vitamins C and E, zinc and beta-carotene. These antioxidants have been found to reduce eye disease risks, plus delay eye degeneration rate and the development of cataracts.
Soursop Side Effects: Cautions Before Consumption
Even with all those health benefits given by soursop, there are still some potential adverse effects found on animals that can be translated into humans. So here are the minor warnings before consuming soursop, if you:
- Are undergoing medical imaging, soursop may decrease the uptake of radiopharmaceuticals used in such procedures.
- Are taking blood pressure medications, soursop may have additive effects when taken with those drugs.
- Are taking diabetic medications, soursop may have additive effects when taken with those drugs.
To top it off, a general warning for anyone with allergies: ”any food that contains protein can theoretically be allergenic”.
How to Eat Soursop
When buying a soursop, it is better to pick one that is slightly soft. It will be best if you let soursop ripen for a couple of days before consuming. Smoothies are another means for enjoying the health benefits of soursop. There are many great recipes out there.
However, due to its overwhelming sweet flavor, soursop is often enjoyed raw.
There are several ways to eat soursop, but as a reminder, the seeds can be poisonous. Other than that, eat the flesh raw or extract the juice.
Final Thought
Overall, soursop is a great fruit, even though it still may have some potential drawbacks in conjunction with certain medicines and conditions. However, if used correctly, soursop could help with cancer risk, blood regulating, and improving eye health.
Hope you enjoy the article. Let us know what kind of fruit should we write next in the comment section below, and don’t hesitate if you have any questions!
Tan Do is a global beverage ODM/OEM manufacturer and supplier located in Vietnam. Since 1996, we have built trust and credibility not only throughout Vietnam but also in many parts of the world. Leveraging state-of-the-art technology, we have crafted thousands of products that align with ISO, HACCP, HALAL, FDA, and many other standards.
