Graviola or soursop may only have recently become popular in the West but it has a long history in ancient herbal remedies and treatments.
Also known by other names such as soursop, guanabana, and cherimoya, this small tree (no more than 10 meters tall) grows in tropical America. The soursop fruit is very tasty (sort of like ‘custardy’ apple) and has been used to add flavor to jams, ice cream, juices, and nectars.
But apart from its ability to turn ordinary food into an extraordinary treat, the fruit has also been used in traditional medicine to fight rickets. The leaves, bark and roots, on the other hand, are used to treat diabetes. Lately, there have even been studies pointing to Graviola as an alternative treatment for cancer.
But while Graviola has established its importance in ancient medicine, experts have also discovered that it provides a number of benefits. Take a look at our exhaustive list of Graviola benefits.
Modern Medicinal Benefits of Graviola
But even though Graviola’s benefits have been well known in ancient medicine, it’s only recently that modern science has jumped on the bandwagon. In 1976, a study was made on Guanabana as a possible cure for cancer. This study was conducted by the National Cancer Institute. The results were quite astounding. It was found that among the Graviola benefits include its ability to eliminate cancer cells in the body using the leaves and stems of the tree. It was found that it had an ingredient that was 10,000 times more potent than chemo. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York also confirms that Graviola, particularly Graviola extract, does have beneficial elements including anti-rheumatic, antiviral, anti-parasitic and emetic.
Other Known Graviola Benefits
Aside from what we’ve mentioned above, other soursop benefits include:
1. Stronger immune system
Soursop has a lot of excellent properties that are necessary to keep your immune system strong. These properties kill free radicals and ensure your immune system is at optimum health so it can effectively perform its functions such as warding off diseases.
2. Regular bowel movements
Graviola is rich in fiber which means that when you consume it regularly, you can expect regular bowel movements. With Graviola, you don’t have to worry about constipation and hemorrhoids.
3. Increased energy
Soursop has properties that keep your body active and energized so you won’t feel lethargic all day.
4. Osteoporosis prevention
Soursop is rich in calcium and phosphorous to help strengthen the bones and prevent bone and joint diseases such as osteoporosis.
5. Heart disease and nerve disease prevention
Because soursop can aid in proper blood circulation, boost metabolism and prevent damage to your nerves, you will have a better functioning heart and your nervous system will also be less likely to get damaged as you grow older.
Although there has not been enough scientific evidence to back up some claims, it’s been widely believed that sour sop leaves can also treat gout by lowering the uric acid in the body. Simply boil 6 – 10 leaves with 2 cups of water and drink one cup twice a day. For those suffering from back pain and rheumatism, you can benefit from the use of Graviola extract obtained from its leaves, by drinking it hot once a day. Soursop is also believed to help prevent infection by inhibiting the growth of viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
What Makes Graviola So Beneficial to the Body?
The soursop fruit is rich in vitamins and minerals including vitamin B1, B2, and C. It also has potassium, calcium, zinc, phosphorous and magnesium. The stem, bark and leaves are rich in antioxidants, particularly Coenzyme Q10 to fight inflammation, eliminate free radicals, and ensure your body is functioning at optimum levels.
When you take a look at all the good things present in Graviola, it’s easy to see why people are eating the fruit, boiling the leaves and even taking Graviola capsules. In many ways, the plant makes people healthy and improve their quality of life.
