By Obiabin Onukwugha
Soursop, also called graviola, is the fruit of Annona muricata, a broadleaf, flowering, evergreen tree.
Soursop is native to the tropical regions of the Americas, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria.
With an aroma similar to pineapple, the flavor of soursop fruit has been described as a combination of strawberries and apple with sour citrus flavor notes, with an underlying thick creamy texture like that of banana.
It is typically eaten raw by cutting the fruit in half and scooping out the flesh. Fruits range in size and can be quite large, though its its fruit size reduces with age.
This amazing fruit is low in calories yet high in several nutrients like fiber and vitamin C.
Though there is always doubt about traditional medicine, sour sop is being used in many hospitals to aid treat some of the sicknesses identified about. This has increased the economic value of sour sop.
Growing up in the village, residents could just walk into somebody’s compound, pluck soursop and eat as much as desired. It’s taken as dessert especially in the hot afternoon on return from the farm.
However, in recent years, people in my community now guard their soursops from delight waters. Whe I asked to know why, just before my mother could finish explaining, a buyer had arrived our compound and guess what, a fruit goes.for as as much as N500 to N800, depending on the size.
Curiously, I asked the lady of what use is the fruit to her and she told me she supplies them to hospitals and that it’s quite expected because it treats some identified sicknesses.
Soursop is said to contain a wide range of therapeutic properties, including antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, insecticidal, and antiviral effects. Thus consuming soursop, helps fight cancer.growth.
Besides, soursop has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels and such has the ability to treat diabetes.
Lastly, the leaves and fruits contain natural compounds that could potentially be beneficial for prostate as well as other cancers, although more scientific studies are needed.
