10 Health Benefits of Soursop or Guyabano

Did you know that soursop can prevent UTI? Find out what this exotic spiky fruit is loaded with that can help prevent this infection including other health promoting goodness it has to offer.

If you haven’t tasted soursop, then you don’t know what you’re missing. Its heart-shaped green spiky exterior may probably don’t look appetizing. But when you eat its luscious creamy white flesh, your taste buds will feast on the delicious combination of strawberry and pineapple with sour citrus notes contrasting with an underlying rich flavor reminiscent of coconut or banana. In the Philippines, it is believed to be good against internal parasites. But whether it’s effective or not, the many nutrients its loaded with has so many health promoting goodness to offer.

For every cup (225 g) of pulp, here’s how nutritious it is.

1. Prevents UTI (Vitamin C-77% DV) - Soursop is an excellent source of vitamin C, a nutrient which increases the acidity level of urine, resulting in decreased number of harmful bacteria that may be present in the urinary tract. Other high vitamin C fruits include guava, kiwifruit, papaya and strawberries.

2. Ensures bowel regularity (Fiber-30% DV) - Before you reach for laxatives to treat your constipation, you might first want to try eating fiber-rich fruits like soursop. Avocados and papayas are also helpful. Fiber also aids in weight loss and lowers the risk of colon problems.

3. Wards off leg cramps (Potassium-18% DV) - 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.

4. Keep water retention away (Magnesium-12% DV) - Women who experience water retention before their monthly period would benefit from the soursop’s rich magnesium content. It may help alleviate this annoying premenstrual symptom.

5. Helps the body produce energy (Thiamin-11% DV) - Feeling a little tired? Eat soursop! 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.

6. Keeps bones healthy (Copper-10% DV) - 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.

7. Boosts good cholesterol levels (Niacin-10%) - Worried about your cholesterol? Fresh fruits and veggies are the perfect choice! Soursop is a good source of niacin, a vitamin which studies show has significant benefits on levels of HDL, the good cholesterol.

8. Prevents pregnancy complications (Folate-8% DV) - This spiky fruit contains 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.

9. Put a check on anemia (Iron-8% DV) - It can provide iron which prevents the common blood disorder anemia – a condition in which the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells. RBC is responsible for the distribution of oxygen to the body tissues, giving the body energy.

10. Guard against migraines (Riboflavin-7% DV) - Headache? Try soursop! It has riboflavin. Several studies have shown that high riboflavin intake helps prevent migraines.

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.