The inhabitants of the Amazon jungles and their surroundings consider the extract of Graviola a natural remedy for body care and to cure a myriad of health problems: diabetes, muscle aches, arthritis, indigestion, fevers,… etc.
In this article we are going to talk about the benefits of Graviola extract for health, which are not new since they have been used for centuries in Central and South America and we will answer your questions about these products.
Graviola Extract, general observations
In the Amazon exists the greatest biodiversity in the whole world. In the jungles of Amazonas we find endless species of plants, herbs and many of these with countless benefits for our health.
The Annona Muricata L (graviola’s scientific name) is one of these plants. This tree produces a green and prickly fruit that aside from being delicious to the palate is very beneficial for our health.
It may be that the name of Graviola does not ring a bell to you, less so Annona Muricata. It has many names, depending on the country where it is consumed or produced. Guanabana, Guanaba, Guanabo, Corossol, Sinini, Soursop, Stingannone, Catuche…, do not be scared by the variety that there is still more.
Fruits, leaves and bark have traditionally been used for centuries to treat multiple diseases. From this tree you can use (in addition to the fruit) leaves and bark to make remedies of all kinds and recent research even tell us about the ability of the graviola extract to fight cancer.
Ingredients of Graviola extract
The fruit of the soursop is rich in vitamins B1 and B2, and also in vitamin C. The fruit also has a series of healthy and essential minerals, such as calcium, zinc, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus. Please find below its nutritional values.
| Soursop-Graviola | |
| Nutritional value per 100 g | |
| Energy 66 kcal 276 kJ | |
| Carbohydrates | 16.84 g |
| • Sugars | 13.54 g |
| • Dietary fiber | 3.3 g |
| Fats | 0.3 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Thiamin (vit B1) | 0.07 mg (5%) |
| Riboflavin (vit B2) | 0.05 mg (3%) |
| Niacin (vit B3) | 0.9 mg (6%) |
| Pantothenic acid (Vit B5) | 0.253 mg (5%) |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.059 mg (5%) |
| Folic acid (Vit B9) | 14 μg (4%) |
| Vitamin C | 20.6 mg (34%) |
| Calcium | 14 mg (1%) |
| Iron | 0.6 mg (5%) |
| Magnesium | 21 mg (6%) |
| Phosphorus | 27 mg (4%) |
| Potassium | 278 mg (6%) |
| Sodium | 14 mg (1%) |
| Zinc | 0.1 mg (1%) |
| % of the recommended daily amount for adults.. | |
| Source: USDA nutrient database. | |
However, not only fruit contains many vital substances, but the bark, leaves and stem are also a good source of antioxidants. These vital substances form a protective shield against the attacks of aggressive particles (free radicals) that can damage the cells of the body.
It goes without saying why the current research is focused on this superfood.
Traditional uses of Graviola extract
As we have already mentioned, it has been used in traditional medicine for centuries for its therapeutic virtues.
I’ll list a few based on its regions of origin:
Peru.
With the leaves, they make a tea that we can drink to treat the inflammation of the mucous membrane and expectorate the mucus from the nose, throat or lungs.
Amazon
In the Amazon region, the infusion made from Graviola leaves is widely used as a treatment to reduce high blood sugar levels in diabetics.
Caribbean
In the Caribbean islands, this tea (from Catuche in the Spanish-speaking islands, Corossol in the French-speaking and Soursop in the Anglophone islands) is used to treat cough, flu and asthma. Nursing women eat the delicious fruit to increase the production of breast milk.
In many parts of South America
Graviola juice is used to treat scurvy, while bark and roots are used as a sedative.
The Graviola today. Applications
Most of the current literature on the uses and scientific studies on the properties of Graviola extract are on evil cancer, but in addition to this important application there are others that we find interesting and also very important from the natural graviola extract.
Cancer
The fruit of the graviola is very rich in acetogenins, a very powerful natural anticancer present in the Annonaceae family and in the soursop its presence is very high.
And how do these acetogenins work in our body to fight cancer? They inhibit the respiratory mitochondrial activity of the cancer cells and stop the growth of the cells, i.e. ” they suffocate the cancer cells”.
But the truly wonderful thing is that they only “suffocate” the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells completely intact.
In some studies, it has been shown that Graviola extracts are effective against cancer cells in live mice and in human tissue in the lab. The results are very promising.
The most exhaustive and known are from Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana, United States). Yes, we can find them on google or on any other internet search engine.
The studies yielded these results:
Graviola extract has the ability to kill malignant cancer cells in 12 different cancers. Certain compounds of Graviola extracts were 10,000 times more potent for slowing growth and destroying cancer cells than the commonly used adriamycin chemo drug.
It strengthens the immune system.
A strong and healthy immune system is a prerequisite for good health. The soursop strengthens the immune system and helps control diseases.
This application of Graviola extract is very important in chemotherapy based cancer treatments since one of cancer’s side effects is to destroy this immune system.
Diabetes
As we have established before, for this purpose it has been used for centuries in South America.
Well, today there are several studies that confirm these healing properties:
In a 2008 study, diabetic mice received Graviola extracts for 14 days. At the end of these two weeks, the animals showed normal blood sugar levels without being treated with any other type of medication for the control of diabetes.
A similar study was conducted in Peru in the year 2009 but with patients affected by type 2 diabetes in a hospital. They were given graviola extract without any other standard medication against diabetes. Patients at the end of a two-month period showed completely normal blood sugar levels.
Another study showed diabetic mice that were fed soursop had higher levels of antioxidants in the blood, as well as healthier liver enzymes. In addition, they showed a super reduced level of harmful lipids and fats in the blood.
Better digestion
Soursop has antiviral and antiparasitic properties and has been traditionally used to promote and improve digestion. It can be used to treat constipation and diarrhea. The fruit is traditionally eaten to eliminate intestinal worms and other parasites.
High antioxidant content
The soursop keeps free radicals at bay as it has a very high content of antioxidants. These aggressive radicals are the cause of rapid aging and its associated diseases. The medicinal plant helps repair and prevent cell damage. Your skin will also look younger and more radiant.
More energy and better wellbeing
The extracts of Graviola used during a prudential period give you more energy and decrease the feeling of fatigue.
In addition, the alkaloids it contains diminish the depressive sensations of the brain.
Gout
Another great advantage of the soursop is that the plant can reduce the amount of uric acid in the body and as you know this is the trigger of this most disturbing condition.
Muscle and joint pain
Graviola extracts are a proven remedy for muscular, arthritic pain and even rheumatism. The Indians in the Amazon have already used the plant for these ailments.
Which graviola extracts are there?
Graviola extracts are made from fruits and/or leaves. For this purpose, the fruits and leaves are dried and pulverized after harvested. The stem and bark are generally not used for nutritional supplements. The formats we find are powder graviola extract and liquid graviola extract, the latter is sometimes known as graviola extract syrup, the two formats are natural graviola extract.
Dosage
The normal dose is 1 to 3 grams of Graviola extract per day. The highest doses are used partially by cancer patients. High doses can cause mild side effects, such as drowsiness and mild upset stomach.
All this also depends on the type of extract you consume and the manufacturer. The best and most recommended is the liquid extract of ozonized graviola (Graviola Prozono), we advise you to take 40 mL daily on an empty stomach and you will have all the power of this great product in your body.
Conclusion
Graviola extract is considered an excellent remedy for diarrhea, constipation, diabetes, asthma and a weak immune system in traditional medicine in South America. In addition, the plant has an effect of improving the mood.
In current scientific studies, Graviola extract shows potent anticancer effects.
It is a discovery that is within your reach and we must thank Mother Nature for these gifts she gives us.
