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Super Fruits - Soursop

The Soursop fruit is irregularly oval or conical in shape, features leathery dark-green skin with polygonal indentations. It measures about 10-15 cm in length and 10 cm in diameter and weighs about 350 g to 500 g, and in some varieties weighing several pounds. Ripe fruits turn pale green to light brown, and emanate sweet, fragrant aroma that can be appreciated from a distance. Inside it features, creamy pulp with smooth, shiny, black seeds embedded in the flesh. Seeds and skin are inedible.

Pictures sourced from wikipedia.org

Nutrition chart

Soursop contain an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, anti-oxidants and minerals. The fruit has calories equivalent to that of mangoes. 100 g of fresh fruit pulp provide about 75 calories. It however, contain no saturated fats or cholesterol.

Both the leaves and the fruit of the soursop tree contain high levels of Vitamins A and B, and C, fiber, iron, potassium, calcium. Soursop leaves also contain gentisic acid, annonacin, annocatalin, and anonol that strengthen the immune system.

Soursop Preparation:

The fruit of the Soursop is delicious on its own. It can be used to flavor ice cream, sorbets and candy. Soursop makes a wonderful smoothie - add milk, ice, Soursop fruit pulp with the seeds removed. Puree until mixture is smooth and creamy about 2 minutes this makes a nutritious cool drink.

Health benefits of Soursop fruit

Soursop is a good source of soluble dietary fiber (3 g% or 8% of RDA) which helps lower absorption of cholesterol in the gut. The pulp of soursop aids in the clearing of the digestive tract, and promotes efficiently-working small and large intestines.

Soursop is very rich in vitamin-C a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps the human body develop resistance against infectious agents including colds and the flu virus.

Soursop is a good source of B-complex vitamins, especially vitamin B-6 (20% of daily-recommended levels.) High levels of B-complex vitamins calm down nervous irritability, tension, and headache ailments.

Soursop has high potassium level in the body helps control heart rate and blood pressure, and thus, counters bad influences of sodium. It also contains more minerals weight per weight than many common fruits like apples, being rich in copper, magnesium, iron and manganese.

Soursop fruit and leaves can be used for treating gastrointestinal diseases such as stomach pains, diarrhea.

The seeds of the Soursop have been proven to contain properties used in the treatment of vomiting.

Soursop has been encouraged as a ‘heart-friendly food’ as research has indicated that the fruit is low in sodium, saturated fat and cholesterol. Soursop is also very high in and Potassium, stabilizing blood pressure.

Soursop has been found to be a potent uterine stimulant. Therefore, it should be avoided during pregnancy.

Health benefits of Soursop leaves:

1.Treatment of Cancer:
Soursop leaves can inhibit cancer cells and cure cancer more quickly and effectively than chemotherapy which results in several side effects besides being expensive. In fact, research has proved that Soursop has an active ingredient that is 10000 times stronger than chemotherapy in fighting cancer cells.

Soursop selectively kills only cancer cells without harming the healthy and normal ones. Soursop has also been found to be very effective in treating the side-effects of chemotherapy. Soursop leaves can treat different types of cancers including prostate, lung and breast cancers.

Preparation: Boil 10 Soursop leaves in 3 cups of water until only one cup of water remains, strain and cool it and drink this concoction every morning for 3-4 weeks to determine improvement in the condition.

2. Treatment of Gout: Wash 10 Soursop mature leaves, boil the leaves in 2 cups of water and simmer until one cup of water remains. This concoction should be taken twice a day. Brew some soursop tea and use as a foot soak.

3. Treatment of Back Pain: Boil 20 Soursop leaves in 5 cups of water until only 3 cups of water are left. Drink 1 cup of Soursop Tea once a day.

4. Treatment of Eczema and Rheumatism: Mashes the Soursop leaves until they become smooth and apply on the areas affected by pain twice a day.

5. Treatment of Diabetes: The nutrients in Soursop leaves are believed to stabilize blood sugar levels in the normal range.

6. Boosts the Immune System and Prevents Infections: Boil 1 Soursop leaf in 4 cups of water until one cup remains, drinks once in a day .

7. Treatment of Boils: Soursop leaves are a natural remedy to cure ulcers. Pick some young soursop leaves and place them on the ulcers.

8. Treatment of Eczema: Mash a few Soursop leaves and apply it on the affected areas twice a daily.

9. Get rid of Lice: Make a Soursop tea from the leaves and use it as a hair shampoo.

10. Treating blood disorders: Soursop is rich in iron, teas made from Soursop leaves are great for treating anemia.

11.Disorders of the organs: Soursop leaf tea can treat gall bladder problems, liver ailments, and it can even lower glucose levels in diabetics by stimulating increased insulin production in the pancreas.

12. Immune system booster: Soursop tea can boost the immune system, reducing colds etc. Some even think it will slow the progress of AIDS.

Medical disclaimer
This information is intended solely for the general information of the reader. The contents is not intended to offer personal medical advice, diagnose health problems or for treatment purposes. It is not a substitute for medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. Please consult your health care provider for any advice on medications.

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