Powerfoods: Soursop

Soursop

Soursop (Annona muricata) is native to Mexico, Cuba, Central America, the Caribbean, South America and sub-Saharan African countries that lie within the tropics. It was most likely brought from Mexico to the Philippines by way of the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade.

• Women who experience water retention before their monthly period would benefit from soursop’s rich magnesium content
• Soursop fruit contains various types of nutrients beneficial to human health where this fruit contains high amounts of vitamin C, B1, and B12. Soursop fruit is rich in carbohydrates, particularly fructose
• Also high in folate. Studies have proven that folate intake during pregnancy prevents deficiency in pregnant women. A lack of this mineral during pregnancy may contribute to birth defects and pregnancy loss
• Several studies have shown that the high riboflavin content in Soursop helps prevent migraines
• It can provide iron which prevents the common blood disorder anemia
• Soursop is a good source of niacin, a vitamin which studies show has significant benefits on levels of HDL, the good cholesterol
• It is loaded with the trace mineral copper. Calcium contributes only about 25% to the prevention of bone loss as magnesium, manganese, zinc and copper are also equally crucial for healthy bones. Zinc and copper boost the effectiveness of vitamin D, which promotes the absorption of calcium.
• Soursop is also believed to cure various kinds of diseases such as heart disease, cataract, gallbladder problems, leprosy, cough, diarrhoea, fever, dysentery, and indigestion
• Soursop has been cited in numerous anecdotes of cancer tumour elimination, including breast cancer
• It can supply the body a good amount of thiamin, the B vitamin which is needed in aerobic energy production, the process when oxygen is used to help convert sugar into usable energy
• It contains half the potassium in bananas. Lack of potassium, together with magnesium, calcium and sodium (also known as electrolytes) in the body can cause muscle weakness and cramping
• Its rich fibre content be the solution to problems in bowel movement

Caution

Soursop is one of the top fruits high in sugar. Eating too much may also contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease due to its very high concentration of annonacin.