Monday, October 15, 2012

SOURSOP: THE LONG FORGOTTEN FRUIT



 
SOURSOP: THE LONG FORGOTTEN FRUIT
(DURIAN BELANDA)

Annona muricata or soursop originates from tropical Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, South America and sub-Saharan African countries.  Soursop have spread and grown in many countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Vietnam.
Soursop fruit contains large amounts of vitamin C, B1, and B12. It is rich in carbohydrates, particularly fructose.

Soursop is very good for prevention and treatment of various diseases. The following are some of the health benefits of soursop fruit.

1.         Soursop fruit is as an antioxidant.  The content of vitamin c in this fruit reached 20 mg for every 100 grams.  Antioxidants function as an antidote to free radicals and also increases stamina.  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.

2.         Soursop is able to inhibit the risk of osteoporosis.  The content of phosphorus and calcium are sufficiently high is beneficial to prevent the disease.  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.

3.         The fiber content in soursop fruit helps to expedite the digestive process of our body.  Go natural!  Let this fruit’s rich fiber content be the solution to problems in bowel movement.  Consuming 100 g of soursop fruit flesh can meet 13 percent of daily fiber needs.

4.         Soursop fruit contains carbohydrates that are needed to provide energy for the body.  Deficiency of carbohydrates can cause someone’s feel a weakly and not spirit.  When 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.

5.         The next of benefits of Soursop that is able to expedite the metabolism, improving blood circulation, optimizes cognitive activity and brain function, prevent the occurrence of nerve damage, recover central nervous disorders and restore the peripheral nerve.  This benefit is derived from the content of Vitamin B1, amounting to 0.07 mg.

6.         Soursop attract attention of researchers as it is found that soursop is able to control blood sugar levels.  

7.         Soursop is a fruit that is rich in phytochemical compounds, so it can be ensured that the fruit is very much beneficial for health.  Its phytochemical compounds are ensured to having benefits for health, although not yet all scientifically proven.  A variety of benefits of soursop for therapy among others treatment of gallstones, anti-constipation, gout, and improving appetite.

8.         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.

9.         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.

10.       Soursop is a good source of niacin, a vitamin which studies show has significant benefits on levels of HDL, the good cholesterol

11.       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.

12.       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.

13.       Soursop can help reduce headache.  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.
 
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