35 Amazing Benefits of soursop
Soursop is a delicious fruit of Annona Muricata, an evergreen plant with broad leaves and flowers. It is native to tropical regions of America.
It belongs to the Annonaceae family and is in the same genus, Annona as Cherimoya.
The aroma of soursop is similar to that of pineapple, and its flavor is a combination of strawberries, apple, and sour citrus flavor notes.
Soursop is loaded with essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and dietary fibers, etc, and provides many health and beauty benefits.
Health Benefits of Soursop
Following are the major health benefits of soursop.
(1) Aids In Controlling Parasites
Soursop is anti-parasitic, and also improves our gastrointestinal health.
In rural areas of Latin and South America, tea brewed from soursop leaves is often given for gut cleansing, and for getting rid of parasitic infections.
(2) Provides Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Vitamin C, dietary fibers, and other anti-inflammatory compounds in soursop reduce pain and inflammation caused by anti-inflammatory conditions like arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatoid, gouts, asthma, and bronchial asthma, etc.
Not just eating soursop, but topical application of soursop decoction on the inflamed area also helps.
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, soursop decoction relieves pain and inflammation and promotes quick healing of wounds.
Source-Pixabay.com(3) Improve Respiratory Health
Soursop improves our respiratory health due to the abundance of essential nutrients.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds in soursop protect our respiratory system from free radical damage and reduces the risk of lung cancer.
The anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C are beneficial against lung inflammation and reduce the risk of asthma and bronchial asthma.
Soursop acts as an expectorant and helps in eliminating phlegm and mucus.
It reduces inflammation of nasal cavities, and respiratory tracts, and helps in speedy recovery while suffering from cold.
Other nutrients like zinc, potassium, and magnesium, etc, in soursop also improves our respiratory health.
(4) Aids In Treating Insomnia
A night of good quality sleep plays an important role in keeping our physical, mental, and emotional health on track.
Not getting enough sleep or getting poor quality of sleep can lead to health problems like a weak immune system, poor concentration and cognitive abilities, increased risk of cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, low libido, and obesity.
Many factors can lead to poor quality sleep or sleep deprivation, but stress is top among them.
Unmanaged stress can hurt our sleep-cycle, and increase the risk of insomnia.
Soursop is a natural stress buster that provides relief from stress and anxiety and improves the quality of sleep.
Drinking soursop tea before bed calms our nervous system, and reduces stress hormones.
It improves our natural sleep cycle and reduces the risk of insomnia.
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(5) Reduces The Risk of Various Cancer(s)
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other relevant compounds in soursop protects our cells and tissues from free radical damage, reduces the risk of several cancers like colon cancer, abdominal cancer, pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, and, lung cancer, etc.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
Acetogenins present in the Annonaceae plant such as soursop cut off blood flow to the foreign or abnormal cell growth and helps in treating various cancers such as breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer.
Other compounds like quinolones and alkaloids in soursop also provide anti-cancer benefits.
(6) Strengthen Immune System
Our Immune system plays an important role in keeping us healthy as it is the defense mechanism of our body that contributes to the prevention and treatment of various microbial infections, injuries, diseases, and wounds.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and other relevant compounds in soursop protects our immune cells or white blood cell from free radical damage, and strengthen our immunity.
Vitamin C also encourages the production of white blood cells and strengthens immunity.
With a stronger immune system, we are less likely to get a cough, cold, and fever, etc.
Because of its antimicrobial properties, soursop reduces the risk of various bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
Zinc, potassium, iron, magnesium, and other compounds in soursop also contribute to stronger immunity.
(7) Improve Digestive System
Soursop is good for the stomach and improves our digestive health.
Vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds in soursop protects our digestive system from free radical damage and reduces the risk of colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, and stomach cancer, etc.
The laxative properties of dietary fibers in soursop improve bowel movement and relieve constipation and other gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and, flatulence, etc.
Anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory compounds like vitamin C, alkaloids, and quinolones in soursop reduces parasites from the guts, and improve gastrointestinal health.
It relieves pain and inflammation in the stomach or colon.
Vitamin B complex, zinc, potassium, and magnesium, etc in soursop also contribute to better digestion.
(8) Provides Analgesic Benefits
Because of its analgesic properties, soursop helps in the quick healing of wounds and injuries.
Vitamin C and other anti-inflammatory compounds in soursop reduce pain and inflammation caused by injuries.
Not just eating soursop, but topical application of soursop decoction also helps in quick healing of wounds.
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(9) Good For Eyes
Soursop maintains our ocular health.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and other relevant compounds like alkaloids, etc in soursop protects our eyes from free radical damage.
It reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma, etc.
Beta-carotene in soursop converts to vitamin A, an essential nutrient that improves vision, prevents eye dryness and reduces the risk of night blindness.
(10) Regulating Blood Sugar
With a low glycemic index of 32, soursop releases sugar into the bloodstream at a slow pace.
This prevents a sudden spike in blood sugar level, and aids in managing diabetes.
Dietary fibers in soursop slow down the absorption of sugar by the bloodstream and keep blood sugar under control.
Despite this anti-diabetic benefit, enjoy soursops moderately as otherwise they may drop blood sugar below the normal range, and cause excessive hunger, excessive sweating, fast heartbeat, shakiness, dizziness, confusion, irritability, or moodiness.
If you take diabetic medication, consult your doctor before adding soursop to your routine, and ensure there is no food-drug interference risk.
(11) Good For Liver And kidneys
Moderate intake of soursop keeps our vital organs like the liver and kidneys healthy.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds like alkaloids, etc, in soursop, protect our vital organs like the liver and kidneys from free radical damage.
Acetogenins in soursop helps in killing malignant cells of 12 types of cancers, including liver cancer.
The detoxifying properties of vitamin C and dietary fibers in soursop remove toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances.
By helping with detoxification, soursop reduces the detoxification burden from the liver and kidneys and allows them to focus on other functions they need to perform.
Kidneys not only help with detoxification, but also perform other functions like maintaining electrolyte balance, regulating blood pressure, strengthening the immune system, and so on.
In the same way, the liver helps with the production of bile juice, metabolism of macronutrients, storage of glycogen, vitamins, and minerals, and synthesis of plasma protein.
(12) Aids In Treating Fever
Soursop is effective against fever and helps in treating the same.
In Africa, it is common to give decoction of soursop leaves for controlling feverish symptoms and convulsive seizures.
Aedes aegypti mosquito is vulnerable to soursop extract, and for this reason, soursop extract is often used against dengue fever.
The astringent property of soursop makes it effective against diarrhea and dysentery.
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(13) For Treating Diarrhea
The laxative properties of dietary fibers in soursop improve bowel movement and relieve constipation and other gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and flatulence.
Soursop is also effective against diarrhea as the dietary fibers absorb excess fluid from the intestines, and solidifies stool.
This helps in treating diarrhea.
Don’t overconsume soursop as otherwise it may absorb too much fluid and leads to constipation.
Or, it may cause stomach discomfort and worsen diarrhea.
(14) Regulates High Blood Pressure Or Hypertension
Hypertension is a silent killer that affects millions worldwide and is a leading cause of cardiovascular and other health problems.
Soursop provides relief from hypertension or high blood pressure as potassium is a natural vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels and improves blood circulation.
Despite this benefit, have soursop in moderation as too much potassium may drop blood pressure below the healthy range, and cause dizziness, fainting, nausea, dehydration, poor concentration, blurred vision, and pale skin, etc.
If you take blood pressure medication, consult your doctor before eating soursop to avoid food-drug interference risk.
(15) Helps In Treating Rheumatism
The anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic properties of soursop help in treating rheumatism.
Vitamin C, dietary fibers, and other anti-inflammatory compounds present in soursop reduce pain and inflammation caused by rheumatism and other anti-inflammatory diseases.
Other compounds such as anthocyanins, tannins, and alkaloids, etc in soursop provide anti-rheumatic benefits.
Topical application of cooked soursop leaves eases pain caused by rheumatism and abscesses. In some regions of Africa, unripe soursop fruit is used for reducing pain caused by arthritis and rheumatism.
(16) Helps With Detoxification
Detoxification is the process of removal of toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances from our system.
Vitamin C, dietary fibers, and other detoxifying compounds in soursop make it a natural detoxifier that removes toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances from the body.
By helping with detoxification, it improves our liver and kidney health.
Detoxification also provides several other benefits like better digestion, better skin health, improve blood circulation, strong immunity, and so on.
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(17) Improve Neurological Health
Soursop is good for the brain and improves our neurological health.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and other relevant compounds like alkaloids, etc in soursop protects our neurons or brain cells from free radical damage.
This reduces the risk of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amnesia, and dementia, etc.
Other nutrients like zinc, potassium, magnesium, and B vitamins, etc, in soursop also contribute to neurological health as they provide cognitive benefits such as sharper memory, better focus, improved concentration, and so on.
(18) Helps In Cholesterol Management
Soursop helps in managing cholesterol levels as dietary fibers reduce LDL cholesterol.
This minimizes the risk of atherosclerosis, a condition that leads to hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits within the arterial walls.
It is a leading cause of cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.
Vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds in soursop also help in cholesterol management.
(19) Improves Cardiovascular Health
Soursop is good for our heart health and improves our cardiovascular system.
Vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds like anthocyanins, etc, in soursop, protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.
Potassium improves blood circulation and regulates high blood pressure, a leading cause of cardiovascular problems.
Dietary fibers in soursop help with cholesterol management and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, which can otherwise give rise to heart problems.
Other nutrients like zinc, magnesium, iron, and B vitamins, etc in soursop also contribute to cardiovascular health.
Beauty Benefits of Soursop For Skin
Following are the major beauty benefits of soursop for the skin.
(1) Keeps Premature Ageing At Bay
Vitamin C and other antioxidants in soursop protect our skin cells from free radical damage.
It reduces fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, dark spots, skin blemishes, and other signs of premature aging.
Free radicals are unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
Vitamin C enhances collagen production.
Collagen is an amino acid that maintains skin elasticity and prevents wrinkles and skin sagging.
(2) Maintains Skin Health
Soursop maintains our skin health because of its rich nutritious profile.
Vitamins and minerals in soursop provide nourishment to our skin and make it soft, supple, and radiant.
Vitamin C and other antioxidants in soursop protects our skin from free radical damage, and keep premature aging at bay.
The astringent properties of soursop tighten our skin pores and make it a wonderful skin toner.
Dietary fiber in soursop helps with skin detoxification and reduces the risk of various skin problems like acne and pimples.
(3) Protection From Sun’s UV Rays
UV rays of the sun help our body to produce vitamin D, an essential nutrient for our health.
However, prolonged exposure to UV rays may damage our skin and cause wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis, and solar elastosis.
Overexposure to UV rays may damage our white blood cells, and weaken our immunity.
Vitamin C and other antioxidants like anthocyanins, alkaloids, etc in soursop protects our skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays and reduces the risk of skin cancer.
Soursop extract can be applied topically on the skin for relieving sunburn.
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(4) Reduces Skin Pigmentation
Vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds like phytonutrients, etc in soursop protects our skin from free radical damage, and keep premature aging at bay.
It reduces skin pigmentation and brings out the natural glow of the skin.
The detoxifying and astringent properties of soursop remove toxins and prevent them from getting clogged up in the skin pores.
Other nutrients in soursop also help as they provide nourishment to our skin, and keep it soft, supple, and radiant.
(5) Natural Skin Detoxifier
Soursop is a natural skin detoxifier as it removes toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances from our skin pores.
The detoxifying compounds like vitamin C and dietary fibers help with skin detoxification and reduce the risk of skin problems like acne and pimples.
(6) Treats Itchy Skin
Because of its antibacterial properties, soursop protects our skin from bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
It helps in treating itchy skin, and other skin problems like eczema, etc.
Vitamin C in soursop reduces pain, inflammation, and irritation caused by itchy skin.
For treating itchy skin, mix 3-4 tablespoons of soursop pulp, one tablespoon of honey, and one tablespoon of yogurt to form a paste.
Massage it on the affected area, and after 15-20 minutes wash off with lukewarm water.
Regular use improves overall skin health and helps in treating itchy skin.
(7) For Treating Acne
Acne is a common skin problem mainly caused by the accumulation of toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances within the skin pores. It affects millions worldwide.
Dietary fibers in soursop remove toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances from our system.
When there are fewer toxins in our system, they don’t accumulate in our skin pores and reduces the risk of skin problems like acne and pimples.
Dietary fibers regulate the secretion of excess oil from sebaceous glands and prevent the worsening of acne.
For treating acne, mix 1-2 tablespoons of soursop pulp, two tablespoons of milk, one tablespoon of aloe vera gel, and half a pinch of turmeric to form a paste.
Apply it on the acne-affected and acne-prone area.
Let it dry for 15-20 minutes, and wash off with cold water.
(8) Treats Skin Rashes And Eczema
Soursop helps in treating skin rashes and eczema because of its antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Gently massaging soursop pulp on the affected area relieve eczema and other skin problems.
Washing the affected area with soursop water also helps against eczema and skin rashes.
(9) Treats Hyperpigmentation
Vitamin C and other antioxidants in soursop protects our skin from free radical damage and reduces various signs of premature aging.
Antioxidants bring out the natural glow of the skin and help in treating hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone.
For this, mix an equal amount of coconut oil and soursop juice, and apply to the affected area.
Leave it overnight, and wash it off in the morning. Pat dry.
Regular use fades off hyperpigmented regions of the skin.
Beauty Benefits of Soursop For Hair
Some major beauty benefits of soursop for hair are as follows.
(1) Promotes Hair Growth
Soursop nourishes our hair follicles and scalp because of its rich nutritious profile.
Vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds in soursop protect our hair follicles from free radical damage.
It reduces the risk of premature greying of hair, split end, and dry hair.
Vitamins and minerals in soursop nourish our scalp and encourage the growth of new hair follicles.
(2) Reduces Hair Loss
Soursop is loaded with essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, etc.
These compounds nourish our hair follicles and strengthen our hair.
When our hair is strong, the risk of hair fall diminishes automatically.
An antioxidant like vitamin C and other relevant compounds protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, B vitamins, and folate, etc also contribute to scalp health and minimizes the risk of hair fall.
(3) Make Our Hair Strong And Lustrous
Soursop makes our hair strong and lustrous due to the abundance of essential nutrients.
Antioxidants like vitamin C and other relevant compounds in soursop protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
Other nutrients like zinc, potassium, iron, copper, magnesium, and B vitamins in soursop also contribute to scalp health as they provide nourishment to our hair and scalp.
They provide nourishment to our hair follicles and scalp and make our hair strong and lustrous.
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(4) Treating Scalp Itchiness
The antimicrobial properties of soursop protect the scalp from bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, and reduces the risk of scalp itchiness.
The detoxifying compounds like dietary fibers prevent the scalp pores from getting clogged up by toxins, pollutants, and other impurities, and reduces the risk of scalp problems like rashes and itching.
Dietary fibers control the secretion of excess sweat from the scalp and prevent awful scalp odor.
For this, boil some freshly cut soursop slices in a bowl of water, and let it come to room temperature.
Collect soursop water in a separate bowl, and use it for hair rinse.
Regular use helps in treating itchy and sweaty scalp.
Soursop water makes our hair soft, strong, and lustrous.
(5) Aids In Treating Head Lice
Soursop helps in treating head lice problems.
For getting rid of head lice, thoroughly mix soursop paste ( made by blending 1-2 soursop pieces), one tablespoon of fenugreek seed paste, and one tablespoon of neem paste.
Apply the mixture as a hair mask, and after drying for 15-20 minutes, wash off with lukewarm water.
Regular use protects our scalp from bacterial and fungal infections and treats head lice.
(6) Good For Treating Dandruff
Soursop helps in treating dandruff, a common scalp problem that affects millions of people around the world and is mainly caused by poor scalp health.
Antioxidants like vitamin C and other relevant compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in the pumpkin protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage and make them healthy.
Vitamins and minerals in the pumpkin nourish our hair follicles and scalp and minimize the risk of scalp problems like dandruff etc.
Topical application of soursop decoction unclogs scalp pores and helps in treating dandruff.
(7) Aids In Treating Scalp Acne
Acne is a common skin problem that affects millions worldwide and is primarily caused by the accumulation of toxins, pollutants, dirt, impurities, and other unwanted substance within the skin pores.
It can also break out on the scalp and is then known as scalp acne.
The dietary fibers in soursop eliminate toxins, pollutants, and other impurities from our system.
When there are fewer toxins, they are less likely to accumulate in skin pores, and thus minimizes the risk of acne and scalp acne.
Dietary fibers also control the secretion of excess oil from skin glands and prevent scalp acne from worsening.
Disclaimer
The information contained in the post is for general purpose only and shouldn’t be considered as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice. Although I’ve tried my best to keep the information contained in this post as accurate and updated as possible, I make no guarantee of the accurateness of the same.
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