FRUTAS OF THE WEEK: Guanabana fruit, also called graviola or soursop

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soursop

HEALTH BENEFITS:

Nutritionally, the fruit is high in carbohydrates, particularly fructose. The fruit also contains significant amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2.

Natural Therapy Pages: 

http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/the_health_benefits_of_soursop_fruit

The Health Benefits of Soursop Fruit

Soursop fruit is packed with vitamins and other healthy ingredients. These include:

Vitamin C

Vitamin B 1

Vitamin B12

Calcium

Iron

Healthy fats

Protein

Healthy carbohydrates

In addition, soursop fruit is cholesterol free and low in calories, making it an ideal snack or flavourful addition to a dessert.

Culinary Uses for Soursop Fruit

• The white pulp is eaten along with the black seeds. 
• Drink squeezed and chilled soursop juice. 
• Soursop cheesecake has a distinctively delicious flavour and texture and it is used in homemade ice creams. 

Benefits of:

http://benefitof.net/benefits-of-guanabana/

Benefits of Guanabana

1. Anti-bacterial properties

Guanabana fruit is thought to have potent anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It is therefore useful in preventing infections caused by bacteria and viruses in the body. Actually, a mixture made of immature guanabana fruits is used in certain areas like a treatment for dysentery. Frequent guanabana fruit intake may further help to eliminate intestinal parasites and worms.

2. Cancer treatment

In herbal medicine, guanabana fruit consumption is said to have the benefit of controlling cancer cell growth.

3. High carbohydrate content

Guanabana fruits have rich carbohydrate content, particularly fructose. Other than carbohydrates, these fruits also possess various beneficial nutrients like B vitamins, calcium, vitamin C and dietary fiber among others. The high carbohydrate amount found in this fruit increases energy and lowers cholesterol in the body.

4. Sedative effects

The strong sedative effects of guanabana fruit make it effective in controlling blood pressure in individuals with hypertension.
It also calms erratic heartbeats, preventing strokes and heart attacks.
treat their disorders and enhance their sleep cycles.
An additional benefit of consuming guanabana is that it reduces convulsions and spasms.

Possible side effects related to guanabana intake include:

vomiting and nausea, particularly following the consumption of large doses.

Photo courtesy of:
https://www.google.com/search?q=guanabana&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=vyIqUdnZOoPa8ASFuoHQAQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1122&bih=579#imgrc=DFRmwHLeVHpNMM%3A%3B6XP40Rz_z4XD2M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fiscly.files.wordpress.com%252F2012%252F08%252Fguanabana2.gif%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fiscly.wordpress.com%252F2012%252F08%252F28%252Fla-guanabana-prevencion-del-cancer%252F%3B266%3B225