Soursop which is also known as guyabano, graviola or guanábana is a green, prickly, tropical fruit that can weigh up to 15 pounds and grow about 12 inches long.
It has a distinct sweet-sour flavor, that tastes like strawberry and pineapple, with a hint of sour citrus taste. The leaves of soursop fruit contain medicinal properties which makes them usable as an ingredient in several herbal health care products.
Guyabano or soursop, is also known to contain medicinal properties, which include cancer fighting activity. To know more on the health benefits of this amazing fruit, you can read more about this on Sup Soursop? Knowing the Many Benefits of this Tropical Fruit.
Guyabano and Cancer
A study which was published in the “Journal of Medicinal Chemistry”, found that 14 structurally diverse Annonaceous acetogenins, present in Guyabano extract were tested and identified for their ability to inhibit the growth of adriamycin resistant human mammary adenocarcinoma cells.
This cell line was found to be multidrug resistant cancer cells. Some of the acetogenins from the guyabano extract were tested to be more potent than adriamycin, and thus may have chemotherapeutic potential, most especially with regards to multidrug resistant tumors.
This was followed by 20 more laboratory tests conducted in different laboratories worldwide. These all came out with unanimous results:
Guyabano tree extracts, proved to be effective against the growth of malignant cells in 12 different cancer types. These include some of the deadliest cancer forms, such as colon, pancreatic, prostate, lung and breast cancers.
According to the Purdue University in Indiana, United States and Catholic University of South Korea, guyabano tree extracts acted in a way that prevented it from harming normal cells, while successfully fighting the dangerous ones. This is unlike chemotherapy, which destroys all cells that multiply. The findings of the Catholic University of South Korea can be found and was published in the Journal of Natural Products.
But, always bear in mind that these trials were conducted in the laboratory, only using non-living models, or what is known as in vitro experiments. There is currently no research in humans, so far.
Nutritional Benefits of Soursop (Guyabano)
Soursop or guyabano offers carbohydrates as its main nutrient and they are free of cholesterol, fat and sodium. This tropical fruit is an excellent source of copper, calcium, iron, fiber, niacin, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, thiamin, riboflavin and vitamins B1, B3 and C. Its leaves are full of essential compounds including fructose, calcium, protein, fat and vitamins A and B.
How Does Soursop (Guyabano) Fights Cancer?
According to studies, guyabano extracts contain the following properties:
- It fights cancer safely and effectively, as a natural therapy. There is no weight loss or nausea like in chemotherapy.
- It boost your energy levels and makes your body stronger. This is very important when someone is already suffering from cancer.
- It protects your immune system and prevents serious infections.
These researches still need to be backed by more studies, according to a lot of experts. There are a lot of people claiming of the benefits from the extract, but there are still no recorded therapeutic claims from the use of guyabano extract.
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