Everything good and bad stays alongside in nature and there are not just gifts or blessings she has to provide. Like a rose plant which has both beautiful and aromatic flowers and prickly and dangerous thorns around it. It is the way of survival in nature.
Soursop is a delicious fruit that resembles the mixed taste of strawberries and apples with a citrus subtaste. It has been a part of traditional herbal medicinal wisdom for years. Also, alternative medicine claims the fruit to be holding potential anticancer effects!
However, consuming soursop for medicinal purposes is illegal in the United States. Wondering why? You can read more on this topic- why is soursop illegal’ through the article below!
What Is Soursop?
Soursop aka graviola fruit belongs to the Annona muricata plant, a member of the custard apple family. It is also called guyabano and guanabana. Soursop fruits have an aroma like pineapple and taste a combination of strawberries and apples with some citrus flavor notes.
The plant can reach up to 8 meters in height and has broad-ended oval evergreen leaves. This plant is native to tropical regions in America and is cultivated in almost all parts of the world. The fruit of soursop is made into juices and smoothies and leaves can be used to make teas. According to the information from USDA, the nutritional value of one cup of soursop pulp is as follows:
One cup of soursop pulp (225g)
- Calories: 148
- Fat: 0.7g
- Carbohydrates: 37.8g
- Sodium: 31.5mg
- Sugars: 30.5g
- Fiber: 7.5g
- Protein:2.3g
- Potassium: 626mg
- Vitamin C: 46.4mg
Even though soursop consumption is not exactly illegal, the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) has warned against making fraudulent claims about its benefits in the context of using it as an alternative treatment for cancer. Importing this fruit from certain other countries to the United States is restricted by law.
How to consume soursop?
Soursop can be consumed raw when it is ripe and you can know it by touching the fruit. Fully ripe fruits will have a slightly soft sensation when being touched. You can cut the fruit in half and scoop out the flesh to consume the fruit. Some people also consume sour soup by making it into juice or adding it to smoothies. This fruit is known by the name of Graviola in the market and you can find it in different forms such as
- Packaged fruit pulp
- Fresh fruit
- Powdered leaf
- Extract from leaves and fruits
- Capsules and tablets
- Dried whole leaves
- Tea bags
The link between Soursop and cancer
Soursop and its promised benefit of treating certain types of cancers is a sizzling topic in the medical world. But let me remind you that even though there is much research and studies available on it, none of them is conclusive and can’t be used to finalize the effectiveness of Soursop in treating cancer.
These claims arise from the fact that due to its high phytochemicals, soursop might have potential anticancer effects. Also, according to research published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity journal, soursop was found to have natural cytotoxic effects.
This means it might have some benefit in killing cancerous cells in your body. Here is how the existing research on the role of Graviola fruit in treating different types of cancer goes:
- Prostate cancer
As one of the second-leading causes of cancer death in men, prostate cancer is a serious condition. According to a study published in Nature Journal, soursop fruit was shown to inhibit NADPH oxidase activity in prostate cancer cells which prevents their growth and proliferation. But keep in mind that there are no human studies available which means there is no conclusive evidence regarding the use of soursop for treating prostate cancer.
- Breast cancer
Based on a study published in the BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies journal, it was found that the crude extract of soursop leaves might exhibit an anti-cancer effect against breast cancer cell lines. The study showed that the leaf extract could increase white blood cells, T-cells, and natural killer cell populations while decreasing nitric oxide and malondialdehyde in tumor cells. Even though this was a promising finding, the scientists claimed that to validate this more research is needed.
- Pancreatic cancer
One of the specialties of pancreatic tumors is that it can be resistant to conventional chemotherapies. However, research published by NIH examined the potentialities of soursop extract as a therapeutic agent in treating pancreatic cancer. The study found certain attributes of this plant in reducing tumor growth as promising but yet conclusive evidence is needed further to confirm the findings.
Why is Soursop illegal?
Even though soursop can’t be said to be exactly illegal, using it for therapeutic purposes such as treating cancer is strictly prohibited by the authorities. The FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) doesn’t approve any claims that soursop can treat cancer and considers it illegal to sell products under this claim.
The organization even has sent warning letters to companies that make products on this claim. The grounds for this restriction are not only associated with its purported anti-cancer claims but also certain toxic effects the fruit might cause to your body. If taken in large amounts, soursop might cause some detrimental effects on your body as the annonaceous acetogenins, certain fatty acid derivatives are found to be toxic.
There are even studies that point out potential risks associated with soursop intake and its causing symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, movement problems, personality changes, etc. Some other findings attribute a potential neurotoxic effect to tea made from soursop leaves. Also, experts warn the fruit to be off causing drug interactions with medications used to treat high blood pressure or diabetes.
Should you consider eating Soursop?
But consuming soursop in moderate quantities can be a problem and instead, it can provide you with multiple health benefits. Some of these benefits include:
- It can reduce free radical damage- The fruit is abundant with antioxidants and hence can be effective in reducing free radical damage. Certain plant compounds called luteolin, tangerine, and quercetin have been research-proven to be of antioxidant benefits.
- It might prevent inflammation- Having anti-inflammatory compounds, the fruit can reduce swelling and inflammation. Some studies have shown that the fruit might be effective against certain inflammatory conditions in your body.
- Potential anticancer benefits- Even though the research on this is not conclusive, certain compounds in the fruit are anticancer and can reduce tumor growth. It can also support your immune system.
- Blood sugar regulation- Another potential benefit associated with soursop consumption is controlling blood sugar levels. A study conducted among rats found that this fruit has anti-glycemic effects and can lower blood sugar levels.
Conclusion
Soursop is a heart-shaped, dark green, prickly fruit from the tree called Annona muricata. It is also known as Graviola fruit. The fully ripe fruit of this plant tastes like a combination of strawberries and apples. The plant is widely cultivated all over the world and is native to certain tropical regions of America.
Several studies have found that the fruit has potential anticancer effects as it contains certain compounds with cytotoxic effects. There are studies where soursop was found to be effective in treating various types of cancer such as breast, prostate, and pancreatic. But none of these studies are conclusive so the fruit is not legalized to treat cancer.
Hence FDA has issued a warrant against those companies who market this fruit in the name of treating cancer. But still, moderate consumption of soursop can provide many health benefits as it has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-glycemic effects on the human body.
FAQs
Soursop is not exactly illegal in the United States but marketing it for treating cancer is prohibited. Also importing it from certain countries is illegal.
The seeds of soursop can cause toxic effects and tea made from its leaves should be consumed by pregnant women and small children. Also taking the fruit in higher quantities can cause some toxic effects.
FDA doesn’t approve of taking soursop as a medicine but allows its consumption as food.
Yes. You can eat soursop raw when it is fully ripe.
Based on a study, taking soursop hasn’t been found to have any adverse effects on your kidneys or serum potassium levels.
You should always choose a ripe soursop for eating and wash it thoroughly before consumption. Also avoiding the seeds can be a safer method of eating the fruit.
