The benefits of soursop are good for health. The fruit is widely found in Indonesia is believed to treat cancer, fight infection, and can help keep blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Is that right?
Soursop is a high fruit fiber and also vitamin C, but the caloric content is low. In addition to the content, soursop is rich in antioxidants that can counteract free radicals. Therefore, it is believed that the benefits of soursop one of them is lower risk of cancer, diabetes, and fight infection.
Scientific Evidence Associated with Soursop Fruit
1. Resistant to cancer
In laboratory studies, an antioxidant-rich soursop extract can kill some types of liver cancer cells and breast cancer cells that are resistant to certain chemotherapy drugs. Soursop extract is also observed to inhibit the growth of pancreatic and prostate cancer cells.
However, to date, no studies have tested the truth of this claim in humans directly. Therefore, further research is needed to ensure the benefits of soursop as an anticancer in humans.
If you want to consume soursop supplements as part of cancer treatment, you should consult a doctor first. In addition, make sure the products you consume are registered with the BPOM (Food and Drug Supervisory Agency).
2. Treat infections
Based on laboratory tests, the benefits of soursop is also seen to fight bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Traditionally in some areas, soursop is also believed to treat malaria and parasitic infections. But just like the anticancer effect, this benefit is only limited to clinical trials in the laboratory and has not been proven to cure diseases caused by human infection.
3. As an anti diabetic
Research on animal experiments shows that soursop has an antidiabetic effect and can help keep blood sugar levels. However, the clinical effects of these soursop benefits on humans can not be ascertained. So far, the benefits of soursop to treat diabetes in humans still need further investigation.
4. Side effects of soursop supplements
Eating soursop supplements can be risky to cause some side effects such as neurological disorders with symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, body movement disorders, to damage to liver and kidney organs.
Soursop supplements are also not recommended for consumption if you have several conditions such as:
- Have low blood pressure
- While in the treatment of hypertension or diabetes
- Whether pregnant or breastfeeding
- have liver or kidney disorders
As a healthy food intake, soursop can be an option because this fruit has a high content of antioxidants and vitamin C and fiber is good for health. But so far the benefits of soursop as a treatment is still in doubt because no one can present clinical trials or medical research evidence against it. If you want to eat soursop as an alternative treatment for cancer, always talk to your doctor first if you have certain medical conditions.