Guanabana, more commonly known as soursop, is a tropical fruit often used in South American beverages, ice creams, and sweets. It’s packed with superfruit properties because of its rich content of vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, and some iron. These nutrients contribute to its potential benefits, like helping to reduce eye disease, treating infections, and possibly even combating cancer.
Typically, guanabana is enjoyed raw by slicing it in half and scooping out the flesh. The fruits can vary in size and can get quite large, so you might want to split them into portions. A usual serving of guanabana is low in calories and high in important nutrients such as fiber and vitamin C. For instance, a 100-gram serving includes 66 calories, 1 gram of protein, 16.8 grams of carbs, and 3.3 grams of fiber. It also provides 34% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of vitamin C, 8% of potassium, 5% of magnesium, and 5% of thiamine, along with small amounts of niacin, riboflavin, folate, and iron.
One of the standout effects of guanabana is its role in potentially killing cancer cells. Laboratory studies have shown that it can impact breast and liver cancer cells. Although this effect is primarily linked to extracts from the fruit, its leaves also demonstrate an ability to suppress cancer cells by 80%. What sets it apart as a promising alternative remedy is that it targets cancer cells without harming healthy ones.
Guanabana is also loaded with antioxidants, thanks to vitamins A, C, and E, as well as zinc and natural carotenoids, which support eye health by slowing macular degeneration and cataract formation. Its anti-inflammatory properties might help with conditions like arthritis. While traditionally used by Central and South American natives to treat inflammation from snake bites, it’s not an antidote.
Research, such as a recent study in Nigeria, suggests guanabana can assist in managing diabetes. The study found that rodents consuming guanabana had lower blood sugar levels. This effect is likely due to its ability to inhibit enzymes responsible for breaking down carbohydrates into glucose. Guanabana leaves may also help protect the liver from oxidative damage and might even encourage the pancreas to produce new insulin-producing cells. For best results, avoid adding sugar when consuming guanabana juice.
Additionally, guanabana might reduce the risk of stomach ulcers by strengthening the protective mucus linings of the stomach and decreasing oxidative stress, potentially preventing conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease. It might also guard against the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which can contribute to ulcers and stomach cancer.
The leaves of the guanabana plant have anti-parasitic properties, effectively targeting both adult and larval intestinal worms, though standardized dosing for this purpose hasn’t been established yet. Guanabana also helps lessen inflammation and can reduce pain, particularly beneficial for arthritis sufferers, with effectiveness linked to the amount consumed.
For stress relief, guanabana may help regulate hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, promoting relaxation and better sleep while reducing anxiety. It can also alleviate common cold symptoms by thinning mucus and soothing throat irritation, acting as a mild expectorant. Moreover, its antimicrobial properties can facilitate quicker recovery.
When it comes to liver health, guanabana might assist in managing jaundice, which occurs when bilirubin—the byproduct of red blood cell breakdown—is not properly processed, leading to a yellowing of the eyes. Guanabana can help normalize bilirubin levels and protect the liver, especially when medication causes jaundice.
Overall, guanabana’s dense antioxidant content offers significant protection against everyday threats to the body. It supports the immune system by boosting the production of white blood cells like T cells and lymphocytes, helping to fend off infections and other foreign pathogens.
