The soursop is a delicious fruit from a tree of the Annonaceae family , which is cultivated in many tropical countries.
In recent years there have been numerous stories about the properties of this fruit , even to the point of claiming that its consumption is capable of curing cancer , but what is true about this?
The soursop
The soursop is a fruit that has numerous properties , antioxidants and vitamins. It is a source of vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, magnesium, iron and potassium, among others.
Regular consumption of soursop also offers numerous benefits to control cholesterol , as well as to improve the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients.
Although it is good to introduce this fruit in our diet, it is also important to know that there are several studies that have associated the consumption of seeds and soursop leaf with the appearance of neurodegenerative diseases .
The annonacina is present in the seeds of this fruit component and some research have suggested that there is a connection between annonacina and atypical forms of Parkinson 's disease . On the other hand, in 2010 the French food safety agency explained that it is not possible to confirm the relationship between this component and the disease:
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO CONFIRM THAT THE OBSERVED CASES OF ATYPICAL PARKINSON'S SYNDROME [...] ARE RELATED TO THE CONSUMPTION OF ANNONA MURICATA"
Does soursop cure cancer?
In vivo tests that demonstrate the alleged anti-carcinogenic properties of this fruit have not yet been carried out . However, it has begun to study the compound anonacin , which apparently has some active ingredients that kill malignant cells.
The National University of San Marcos and the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia conducted in vitro studies on an ethanolic extract of Soursop leaves and concluded that they have a cytotoxic effect on gastric and pulmonary adenocarcinomas.
Dr. Martha Villar , Director of the Complementary Medicine Program of EsSalud explains that the substance anonacin found in the leaves of this fruit has an effect on cancer cells by inhibiting the membrane of the same, fracturing them and causing their death. Although it also clarifies that there is still much to investigate before ensuring that this substance is able to cure cancer .
There are many testimonies circulating on the web assuring the miraculous properties of the guanabana and its leaves. Although it is a fruit possessing numerous properties and vitamins , it is advisable to consume it in moderation and avoid any long-term side effects.
Have you read about the healing properties of the guanabana?