What is graviola and how is it used?

What is graviola?

Graviola comes from a tree in the rain forests of Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. It is a common food there.

Graviola, also known as soursop or Brazilian paw paw, is gaining popularity as a natural remedy for viruses, pain relief, and even some types of cancer. 

The active ingredient is a type of plant compound (phytochemical) called annonaceous acetogenins.

People use graviola pulp in juices, smoothies and ice cream.

It contains compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help manage blood sugar and blood pressure, as well as provide other health benefits.

Research suggests that graviola has a number of health benefits:

• It’s High in Antioxidants

Many of the reported benefits of soursop are due to its high content of antioxidants.

Antioxidants are compounds that help neutralize harmful compounds called free radicals, which can cause damage to cells.

Some research shows that antioxidants could play a role in reducing the risk of several diseases, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

One test-tube study looked at the antioxidant properties of soursop and found that it was able to effectively protect against damage caused by free radicals .

Another test-tube study measured the antioxidants in soursop extract and showed that it helped prevent damage to cells. It also contained several plant compounds that act as antioxidants, including luteolin, quercetin and tangeretin .

More research is needed to determine how beneficial the antioxidants found in soursop may be to humans.

• It May Help Kill Cancer Cells

Although most research is currently limited to test-tube studies, some studies have found that soursop could potentially help eliminate cancer cells.

One test-tube study treated breast cancer cells with soursop extract. Interestingly enough, it was able to reduce tumor size, kill off cancer cells and enhance the activity of the immune system.

Another test-tube study looked at the effects of soursop extract on leukemia cells, which was found to stop the growth and formation of cancer cells .

However, keep in mind that these are test-tube studies looking at a strong dose of soursop extract. Further studies need to look at how eating the fruit may affect cancer in humans.

• It Can Help Fight Bacteria

In addition to its antioxidant properties, some studies show that soursop may contain potent antibacterial properties as well.

In one test-tube study, extracts of soursop with varying concentrations were used on different types of bacteria known to cause oral diseases.

Soursop was able to effectively kill off multiple types of bacteria, including strains that cause gingivitis, tooth decay and yeast infections .

Another test-tube study showed that soursop extract worked against the bacteria responsible for cholera and Staphylococcus infections.

Despite these promising results, it’s important to remember that these are test-tube studies using a highly concentrated extract. It’s far greater than the amount you would typically get through your diet.

Further studies are needed to evaluate this fruit’s potential antibacterial effects in humans.

• It Could Reduce Inflammation

Some animal studies have found that soursop and its components may be able to help fight inflammation.

Inflammation is a normal immune response to injury, but increasing evidence shows that chronic inflammation could contribute to disease.

In one study, rats were treated with soursop extract, which was found to decrease swelling and alleviate inflammation.

Another study had similar findings, showing that soursop extract reduced swelling in mice by up to 37% .

Though research is currently limited to animal studies, this may be especially beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory disorders like arthritis.

In fact, in one animal study, soursop extract was found to decrease the levels of certain inflammatory markers involved in arthritis .

However, more research is needed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of this fruit.

• It May Help Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels

Soursop has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels in some animal studies.

In one study, diabetic rats were injected with soursop extract for two weeks. Those who received the extract had blood sugar levels that were five times lower than the untreated group .

Another study showed that administering soursop extract to diabetic rats reduced blood sugar levels by up to 75%.

However, these animal studies use a concentrated amount of soursop extract that exceeds what you might get through your diet.

Although more research on humans is needed, these findings suggest that soursop could be beneficial for those with diabetes when paired with a healthy diet and active lifestyle.

How to use

While graviola is available in capsule or extract forms, there is not enough research to determine a safe, standardized dose.

In general, manufacturers recommend taking 500–1,500 milligrams via capsule daily or 1–4 milliliters of extract daily.

However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved these dosages. The agency also does not monitor the production, quality, or purity of supplements and herbs.

Some health practitioners recommend avoiding graviola due to the risk of neurological side effects.

Article writing: Miranda Zhang