Before jumping to the amazing benefits of Soursop leaves, it is equally important to know about the plant. Soursop, also called Graviola or Guyabano, is one of the natively American and Caribbean-grown fruit trees.
Mainly adapted to the high humidity and warm conditions, Soursop has a similar aroma to Pineapple. Especially its fruits are known to have a mixed taste to that of strawberries and apples. Additionally, the fruit has a citrus note with a creamy texture like a Banana.
Yes, Soursop is primarily acknowledged for its delicious fruit, which is also promoted as an alternative treatment for cancer. Although there is such solid evidence for the claim, however, it definitely has a lot of benefits to consume.
Not just its fruit, there are a lot of benefits of Soursop leaves too. Annona Muricata is basically a petit, upright, and perennial tree which has hairy young branches. Usually, when a tree gives a delicious, juicy, and healthy fruit, it is natural that other parts of the plants are ignored. Well, that is not the case with Soursop leaves.
Now that people have shifted their focus from instant mindless eating to consuming mindful organic superfoods. People have started to incorporate exotic and healthy foods.
There was a time when Acai was the new a la mode. However, the new big buzzword in the healthy eating world is Soursop.
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Nutritional Components of Soursop Plant
Besides being a storehouse of various nutrients like dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, the Soursop plant has a lot of other supplements. Let’s say in one cup of its pulp; a person can derive the following nutritional benefit –
- Calories (148)
- Fat (0.7g)
- Sodium ( 31.5 mg)
- Carbohydrates (37.8 g)
- Sugars (30.5 g)
- Potassium (626 mg)
- Vitamin C (46.4 mg)
- Protein (2.3 g)
- Magnesium
- Thiamine
- Calcium
- Iron
- Zinc
- Phosphorus
- Copper
- Vitamin B1, B2, & B3
In addition to all these major nutrients, some of the other nutrients that are present but in small quantities are iron, folate, riboflavin, niacin, etc. Thanks to all these powerhouse nutrients, anyone consuming it will definitely enjoy the benefits of Soursop leaves, fruit, and stems. Not only are the advantages linked to beauty but medicinal too. Continue reading about the plethora of different benefits that will make you realize how important the plant is.
Top Benefits of Soursop Leaves
Since the fruit is loaded with Vitamin C, fiber, and many other components, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory are the basic benefits anybody would think of. However, do not mistake the plant, especially its leaves to be less than any other plant, as they are countless.
Basically, Soursop leaves are utilized in the treatments of several ailments, which are quite varied. Yes, the fruit of this miracle plant is not only edible with therapeutic after value, but it also has a lot of beneficial properties to treat so many human diseases.
Because of Saponins, terpenoids, tannins, coumarins, and alkaloids, which are actually phytochemicals that are linked to the plant. And these metabolites further are popular in fighting off any infection like parasitic or worms. What more can these leaves do? Find out.
Anti-Cancerous
The active bio ingredients in the Soursop leaves, which are known as annonaceous acetogenins, are known to have an anti-cancerous impact. Not only do they kill the cancer-causing cells, but they prevent it from happening in the first place.
As per the PMC study, it is reported that one of the benefits of Soursop leaves is to treat cervical cancer. Apart from the cervical, other parts of the body are the colon, blood, liver, cervix, ovary, mouth, breast, and skin too.
Another study also revealed that the Soursop leaf extract is known to stop leukemia cell generation. As far as the size of breast cancer tumor cells is concerned, the consumption of the extract will do wonders in shrinking the size.
Help in Treating Insomnia
Today, Soursop leaves are sold in India, Indonesia, and many other countries apart from America and the Caribbean. They are sold because of their medicinal and herbal properties. As a consequence, Soursop extract has benefits for treating a severe condition like Insomnia.
Especially in West Indies, the Soursop leaves are consumed in order to have a good sleep. In cases of people suffering from Insomnia will experience sleep returning. Because a night of deep sleep is essential to have healthy mental health, enhancement of sleep is very important.
If stress is the reason behind the inability to sleep, then sipping the tea of Soursop leaves can help in calming the mind.
Regulate Diabetes
Whenever Glucose levels are in distress, there are chances of an increase in sugar levels in the blood. Not only does it increase the number of pancreatic beta cells, but it also lowers the fasting blood sugar levels.
Additionally, the Annona Muricata leaf has the ability to reduce the rate of glucose assimilation after direct feeding into the bloodstream. For best results, clubbing a Soursop leaves herbal tea or fruit with a healthy diet, and daily exercising is best.
Healthy Gut & Digestive Process
Since Soursop fruit houses a lot of fluid and fiber, its daily consumption can help in the prevention of digestive problems like constipation, fecal impaction, etc. Especially the ones who lead a sedentary lifestyle should definitely include the use of these magical plants.
Just after incorporating this nutrient-rich leaf into your lifestyle, the daily fiber requirement gets fulfilled.
Help in Fighting the Bacteria
Besides the antioxidant properties of the Soursop plant, the entire plant, inclusive of fruits, leaves, or stems, also has antibacterial components too. All kinds of bacteria known to cause infections, like Cholera and Staphylococcus, also get treated by the plant.
Moreover, if you wish to have good oral health, Soursop’s antibacterial properties are capable of fighting all of them. So, you will be able to boast healthy pearly white teeth. In addition to all these, many other benefits of Soursop leaves are the treatment of various problems like Gingivitis, tooth decay, and yeast infection.
Having said that, it is important to note that all these studies are still in the test-tube phase and have never been tried and tested on humans.
Possibility of Inflammation Reduction
Whenever a person gets an injury, the normal response besides Ouch is the body’s natural response. Inflammation is one of the natural immune responses. As per the recent rat studies, the Soursop extract was able to reduce inflammation and swelling.
In fact, extracts of these leaves are thought to be very beneficial in the case of rheumatic and neurological diseases. Another benefit of Soursop leaves is also used extensively for wound care. Not only limited to wound care, but soursop leaves are also helpful in getting rid of ulcers, lesions, and edema.
Controlling Fever
Soursop leaves are known to help in controlling fevers and seizures. Having a stock made with soursop leaves is known to reduce these symptoms. These leaves are considered to be one of the best natural remedies against dengue.
According to a study published by NCBI, these extracts are also helpful in getting rid of diarrhea and dysentery.
Improves Skin and Hair Health
Soursop leaves are great for the overall well-being of your skin and hair. According to various studies, soursop leaf extract can avoid help in voiding non-benign tumors on the skin called papillomas. Soursop leaves are also a well-known remedy used to calm the skin of babies.
Not just skin, the leaves are beneficial for hair as well. If you are dealing with problems related to an itching scalp, excess dandruff, or just thinning hair, then soursop leaves are the way to go. However, we should clarify that these are said to be unconfirmed remedies to date.
Side Effects of Soursop Leaves
With all these benefits of soursop leaves, it is a boon given to us by nature. But, despite all these advantages, there are some serious side effects that need to be kept in mind. What are these side effects? Let’s see.
Low Blood Pressure
While soursop leaves are beneficial for regulating diabetes and controlling blood pressure, that very same factor could have dangerous consequences. Soursop leaves are known to lower blood pressure. This may be good news for those who suffer from high blood pressure, but these leaves can cause problems for those with low blood pressure.
Diluting blood vessels is another side effect that can lead to dangerous scenarios. Due to this, it is recommended to consult a physician before consuming soursop leaves. These leaves should also be consumed in a controlled manner, as an overdose may lead to nausea and sickly feelings.
Atypical Parkinsonism
According to NCBI studies, soursop leaves were identified to be a cause of Atypical Parkinsonism and other movement disorders. Soursop leaves have alkaloids and acetogenins toxins which are very harmful.
These toxins attack the mitochondria as they are full of mitochondrial poisons. Therefore, excess consumption of these leaves can lead to various movement disorders, including Atypical Parkinsonism.
Heart Problems
While in controlled usage, soursop leaves are good for health. But, an increased dosage can lead to serious harm. According to a research paper published by Nigerian scientists, a huge dose of soursop can have depressing effects.
This is extremely harmful to people dealing with heart problems. Therefore, patients dealing with heart diseases should completely stay away from soursop leaves and fruit.
Harmful During Pregnancy
Pregnant ladies are not advised to use soursop leaves. This is due to the effect of consumption of soursop leaves can have on contractions. High usage of these leaves can cause urethral contractions. This, in turn, can lead to miscarriage or premature labor.
Depression
In small dosages, soursop leaves are believed to help in relaxing and even help in combating insomnia. However, the increased dosage is very harmful if you are going through depression.
If you are taking a treatment for depression and using prescription medicines, then soursop leaves can have the opposite effects. According to a study in Kenya, increased use of soursop leaves can nullify the effects of antidepressants.
Worsen Parkinson’s Disease
According to various studies, patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease should completely avoid the soursop plant. In the research conducted, it was discovered that the harmful chemicals present in Parkinson’s are also components of soursop leaves.
This, in turn, can lead to a worse situation as Parkinson’s symptoms can increase rapidly.
Neurological Diseases
In small and controlled quantities, soursop leaves and fruits have many advantages for health. However, as soon as the dosages are increased beyond control, side effects appear. If soursop leaves are consumed as a boiled broth, these side effects are mainly avoided.
If you are considering consuming these leaves raw or buying a supplement from the market, it is advised to consult your doctor before doing so. These leaves are known to contain toxins which, if not removed carefully, can lead to many neurological disorders.
Therefore, it is highly recommended to consult a physician regarding the dosage and method of consumption.
Final Words
There are many natural resources that are around us. These resources help us in many ways. Since ancient times, our ancestors have used these resources to great avail. These natural sources are used to treat many physical and mental diseases ailing the human body and mind.
Even nowadays, they are used for many treatments. In fact, Ayurveda is a whole medicinal practice that started in India but has started to spread all over the world. These practices have been around for more than two millennia and are constantly evolving.
The medicines in Ayurveda are made mainly from plant leaves and herbs. One such plant used commonly is the Soursop plant. The leaves and fruits of this plant are especially considered to have many advantages for both the body and mind.
The benefits of Soursop leaves are blood pressure control, avoiding cancer, inflammatory benefits, and many more, making the plant an invaluable asset to us. But, like most things in life, there are side effects to this as well.
If not consumed properly and in a controlled manner, these leaves can have dire consequences. So, before you decide to try out the soursop leaves, you should always consult your doctor and cover all your bases.
