Health Benefits of Eating Soursop Fruit
Soursop health benefits are recognized in many countries, especially the medicinal uses of its fruit. It is utilized for its diuretic effects while the leaves have been used to heal eczema and swelling. Below are some of the health purposes of eating soursop fruit and its medicinal properties.
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Cancer PreventionRegular drinking of soursop (also called graviola) juice helps lower the risk of cancer. This is a health fact that people in certain countries believe. Soursop leaves are also said to effectively inhibit the onset of cancer cells, without causing unwanted side effects.
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Get Rid of Urinary Tract InfectionsSoursop is enriched with essential vitamin C, which reduces the amount of bad bacteria found in the urinary tract.
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Good for WomenApart from protecting women against osteoporosis, the health values of magnesium found in graviola also include alleviating the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and menopause.
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Maintain Muscle FunctionSoursop is a good source of potassium. Research has found that foods with sufficient amount of the mineral assist the muscles to relax. Potassium is important because it is useful for proper muscle function and helps avoid leg cramps.
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Relieve ConstipationGraviola is loaded with dietary fiber. The nutrient-rich fruit is a great remedy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It promotes bowel movement by increasing stool bulk, thereby curing constipation problems.
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Other Health Properties of SoursopIntake of the nutritious fruit provides your bone with an excellent health advantage. It contains calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium and manganese, which are all significant in building strong bones. The presence of iron gives a bonus to people with anemia. Soursop was also found to stop the growth of herpes simplex virus, according to a lab study done in 1998.
Overview and Facts about Graviola Fruit
The soursop, sometimes known as graviola or guanabana (scientific name Annona muricata) is a tropical tree that belongs to the cherimoya family. It is native to the West Indies and it produces large, heart-shaped fruit with green leathery skin. There are pliable spines on the skin, which protect the interior fibrous white fruit. Each segment in the flesh contains a single black seed.
Graviola fruit has a sour flavor. It can be eaten sliced or directly scooped with a spoon. The fruit is often added to fruit salads or made into drinks, sherbets and ice creams. It is an extremely versatile fruit. The flesh can be processed into puree or canned for commercial purposes.
To buy soursop, select fruit that begins to fade from dark green to yellow green. It should ripen in 1 to 3 days.
Soursop Nutrition Facts and Calories
| Nutritional Information of 1 Cup (225 g) Raw Soursop Pulp |
| Calories |
148 kcal |
| Total Fat |
1 g |
| Cholesterol |
0 mg |
| Sodium |
31 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates |
38 g |
| Dietary Fiber |
7 g |
| Sugars |
30 g |
| Protein |
2 g |
Soursop Recipe
Soursop Juice with Papaya and Pineapple Recipe
Ingredients:
200 g pineapple fruit (cubed); 200 g of papaya fruit (cubed); 500 g soursop pulp; 60 ml fresh lime juice; 60 ml honey; 200 ml of cold water.
Preparation:
Process the soursop and pour into a jug. Add the lime juice and honey and stir. Add in the pineapple and papaya. Pour the cold water over, stir and serve.
Soursop Side Effects
The seeds of the fruit should be removed before consumption as they are toxic. Prolonged intake of soursop may increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
Related Fruit Articles:
Custard Apple Health Benefits
Durian Health Benefits
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