Soursop is a tropical fruit, native to South American countries (Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, Peru, and Venezuela). However, this plant is widely cultivated in South East Asia, Pacific regions, and North Africa. Matured fruits are 20–25 cm long and weigh an average of 5–6 kg. Soursop has many names. Its scientific name is Annona muricata, but it also goes by guanabana, paw-paw, sirsak, and graviola. In Ghana it is called ‘Aluguntugui’.
Soursop is a member of the Annonaceae family, also known as the custard apple family. The fruits, which grow on trees, are large and oval-shaped. The green exterior, which has spines on it, covers a white, fibrous flesh. Soursop’s flavor can best be described a cross between mango and pineapple.
Soursop is typically eaten raw by cutting the fruit in half and scooping out the flesh. Fruits range in size and can be quite large, so it may be best to divide it into a few portions. Interestingly, many parts of the fruit are used medicinally, including the leaves, fruit and stems. It is also used in cooking and can even be applied to the skin.
Below are health benefits of soursop:
- IT RELIEVES PAIN (WORK AS AN ANALGESIC).
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, soursop can work as an analgesic. The mice used in the study were made to writhe, post which the soursop extract was induced in them. The experiment produced desirable results.
- IT HELPS TO RELIEVE STRESS.
As per a report by the University of Connecticut, soursop can be used extensively for the treatment of stress and other issues like depression.
- IT AIDS IN TREATING DIARRHEA.
All parts of the soursop tree are used as medicine for an array of ailments. And diarrhea is one of them.
- IT HELPS TO TREAT INFECTIONS.
Soursop can treat infections caused by bacteria and parasites, one of those being leishmaniasis, a disease caused by parasites that are transmitted through the bites of sand fleas. The leaves of the soursop tree are also used to treat a wide range of infections.
SOURCE:
- “Soursop”. Retrieved 20 March2019.
- “Graviola (soursop)”. Cancer Research UK. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- HEALTH ESSENTIALS.
ARTICLE BY ANUM JUSTICE GIDEON OBODAI.