One of the more pleasant aspects in scouring the countryside – as well as stores and websites – for new natural remedies/supplements to try out is finding one or two that not only provide a bevy of health benefits but also are cultivated from a plant, tree, or other source with a nice surprise of its own.
Such is the case with graviola, which is the latest entry (part XIII) in our ongoing series “Singing the Praises of Unsung Supplements.” Graviola, a type of evergreen tree found mostly in South America and around the Caribbean, produces a tropical fruit that goes by a variety of names to also include guanabana, custard apple, soursop, and Brazilian paw paw.
With a name like soursop, you would think that the fruit would have an undesirable taste, but it doesn’t. In fact, soursop, or graviola, is well known for its smooth creamy texture and a tropical taste that has been likened to a mix of apple, strawberry, and citrus (just be sure to pull or spit out the seeds – they can be toxic). It sounds more like Brazilian yum yum that Brazilian paw paw, while its appearance is much like that of an avocado; that is, if an avocado were covered with prickly spikes.
It is important to note, however, that it is the leaves from the graviola tree that have traditionally been most used for the provision of therapeutic benefits, to possibly include mood enhancement of the positive, upbeat variety.
Where Does Graviola Get Its Medicinal-like Properties?
As is fairly common with a vast number of natural remedies featured in this space, graviola contains a number of compounds that, working together, provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Its antioxidant-bearing constituents alone are numerous, to include tannins, saponins, phytosterols, flavonoids, and anthraquinones. These antioxidants play a key role in stomping out the damaging effects of free radicals, which left unchecked can give rise to various diseases. Graviola’s anti-inflammatory workload targets mostly pain.
6 Potential Health Benefits of Graviola
Reduce elevated blood pressure (HBP). High blood pressure left uncontrolled for a long period of time can eventually lead to the development of more serious chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, or a sudden onslaught of stroke. Research has uncovered that graviola’s hypotensive facilities derive from its effect on calcium ions.
Rich provisions of key vitamins. Graviola carries an abundance of vitamins such as copper, potassium, and vitamin C. Copper, for instance, plays a key role in red blood cell formation as well as iron metabolism, and growth and development.
Support healthy cell growth and function. Chalk this up to graviola’s antioxidant activity. Recent scientific studies have revealed a tendency on the part of graviola’s active constituents known as acetogenins to have an instrumental role in stimulating healthy cell growth and function.
Protect the digestive system. Studies involving rodents have demonstrated antiulcer properties from graviola. This appears to be accomplished by this natural remedy’s propensity to protect the mucous lining in the stomach while guarding against ill effects to the digestive tract attributed to free radicals.
Regulate blood-sugar levels. Scientific experts believe that soursop (graviola) is a source of certain enzymes capable of breaking down carbohydrates to help thwart your body’s absorption of glucose. This can help in the proper management of diabetes for diabetics.
Act as an antibacterial. That’s right – add another “anti” attribute to graviola’s quiver of benefit-shooting arrows. Lab studies have indicated that soursop (or graviola) can apparently kill destructive bacteria, such as those associated with tooth decay and gingivitis as well as yeast infections.
Now that we’ve sung some of the benefits afforded by graviola, maybe it’s time for you to consider checking out this supplement to see if it might be beneficial for you. In doing your own homework, be sure to discuss its possible use with your personal physician or other healthcare professional. You want to make sure there is nothing about your overall health condition, or use of prescription medications, that might make use of graviola ill-advised at this time.