Soursop is a large green coloured spotted fruit that has a heart-like shape.
This tropical fruit is usually covered with small spine-shaped structures and is very common in Nigeria, especially Eastern Nigeria and other parts of Africa and the world. These include Mexico, Caribbean Islands, Cuba, Central America, Peru, Brazil and Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa.
The creamy pulp is fleshy, soft and let me say white in colour, with a slightly sour-acid taste and it can be eaten out-of-hand. The fruit has plenty of black seeds, may be up to 100 black seeds. When crushed it produces a pungent odour.
Reports say in most tropical regions of the world, where the plant grows, soursop tree is often referred to as a miracle tree.
Botanically known as annona muricata, soursop belongs to the annonaceae (annona family).
Other common names of soursop include Guyabano, Shawshopu, Graviola, Brazilian pawpaw, Prickly custard apple and many more.
Well, Soursop is believed to be indigenous to most of the warmest tropical regions of the world. Its tree is a small upright evergreen tree that grows up to 6 metres tall, with a large dark and shiny green and leathery leaves.
The flowers are large, with yellow or greenish-yellow colour. According to a Guardian Nigeria Newspaper article, in natural medicine practice, all parts of the soursop tree are used as medicine. These include the roots, barks, stems, leaves, fruits and the fruit-seeds. Each part of the tree is said to have different therapeutic properties.
Nutritional Value of soursop
The nutritional value of this fruit is amazing.
Many scientific analyses have shown that soursop contains many nutrients, like protein, sugar, fatty acids, dietary fiber, Vitamins C, B1, B2, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium chloride.
Reports also say the fruit contains many bioactive compounds and phytochemicals, such as alkaloid, citric-acid, malic-acid, stearic-acid, stepharine, tannin, vinblastine and many more. As for its therapeutic Properties, it is known that soursop has a broad spectrum, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, emetic, galactagogue, immunity boosting, laxative, liver tonic, sedative and so many activities.
As for other uses, the fruit juice of soursop is creamy has musky, sub-acid to acid flavour and this can sometimes be used in ice cream.
Since the fruit is rich in Vitamins B and C, it is commonly taken after childbirth to help increase mother’s breast milk.
And to cool down feverish conditions, chill and flu, as an astringent for diarrhea and dysentery and for intestinal parasites, soursop is ideal.
Eating soursop can also help to cure various menstrual disorders and difficult childbirth.
Respiratory tract problems like cough, asthma, chest problems and bronchitis can be treated naturally by eating plenty of soursop.
Soursop and Cancer
Well, is is pertinent to note that besides all these, soursop has a strong anti-cancer or anti-tumour properties and effects.
Reports say soursop fruit Kills Cancer 100 times better than chemotherapy.
So, GOURMETGUIDE234.COM can boldly say that Soursop fruit or the fruit juice can be taken to prevent or treat cancer. These medicinal parts of the plant include the leaves, stems, fruits and seeds.
The phytochemicals properties help to fight some types of cancer cells, like colon, breast, ovarian, uterine, prostate, lung, pancreatic, anal, kidney, liver, lung and skin cancers. Since soursop has been proven to be a miraculous natural cancer cell killer and it is said to be 10,000 times stronger than most chemotherapy drugs.
Care must however be taken especially because soursop has been found to be a potent uterine stimulant. Therefore, it should be avoided during pregnancy.
