Soursop: Does this tropical fruit have health benefits?

What parts of the soursop plant are consumed?

Soursop’s white, fibrous pulp is eaten. Its taste is described as both sweet and, yes, even a little sour or tart. It can be used in recipes, including juices and desserts. Some people also use soursop leaves to make herbal tea.

Soursop also has large black seeds, which shouldn’t be eaten.

What are the nutrients in soursop?

Soursop is nutrient-dense. It is low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Soursop also contains flavonoids and antioxidants, plant compounds that help repair cells and remove toxins.

It is a good source of:

• B vitamins
• Calcium
• Folate
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Vitamin C

How has soursop been used in traditional medicine?

Soursop’s leaves, fruit pulp and seeds each had different uses in folk medicine.

• Soursop leaves were mostly used for relaxation tea, managing colds, fever reduction and anti-inflammatory purposes.
• Soursop fruit pulp was believed to aid in digestion, hypertension and diabetes.
• Soursop seeds were used to treat parasitic infections. In modern medicine, soursop seeds are mostly avoided due to concerns about toxicity.

These soursop uses haven’t been studied extensively and require more research. If you have any of the health concerns listed above, first speak to your health care team about the best treatment options.

Does soursop have research-backed health benefits?

While some studies have explored soursop’s health benefits, more scientific research is needed.

In studies, soursop’s bioactive compounds — such as flavonoids, phenolics and acetogenins — have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and metabolic effects.

For example, early research has found that soursop extracts:

• Have antioxidant activity. This helps neutralize damaging free radicals, possibly helping to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Help reduce blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity in some lab and animal studies.
• May help protect the digestive tract and heal ulcers in animal studies.
• Have been shown to fight certain bacteria and microbes in lab studies.

If you are interested in using soursop to treat health concerns, always speak with your health care provider. Many herbal supplements, including soursop, can adversely affect different treatments and medications. I encourage patients to prioritize research and treatments that are backed by scientific research.

Does soursop have any anti-cancer properties?

There is no strong evidence suggesting soursop can treat cancer in humans. The only evidence that soursop has anti-cancer-like effects comes from studies using soursop extracts on cancer cells in a lab setting.

In studies, soursop extracts were found to affect cancer cells by:

• Slowing proliferation, or how fast cells divide and grow
• Inducing programmed cell death
• Disrupting cell metabolism
• Changing cell signaling

We do not recommend that cancer patients use soursop as cancer treatment. Although soursop offers benefits such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, there are some concerns that it may interfere with chemotherapy drugs or other treatments, making them less effective. Talk with your care team before adding soursop to your diet.

While there isn’t any one food that can prevent cancer, a healthy diet can help reduce your risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. That’s why MD Anderson dietitians recommend eating healthy meals.

Fill two-thirds of your plate with whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts and seeds. The remaining one-third can be lean animal protein or plant-based protein.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t eat soursop?

For healthy individuals, it’s generally healthy to eat soursop in moderation. A standard serving of soursop is often considered one cup of fruit or pulp.

Soursop contains compounds like annonacin. In lab studies, annonacin has been shown to have neurotoxic effects. Eating large quantities of soursop regularly — such as eating several cups a day or taking concentrated supplements daily — may cause neurotoxicity, meaning it can harm the nervous system.

People with the following conditions shouldn’t eat soursop due to neurotoxicity concerns.

• Individuals with or who are at risk for Parkinson’s disease
• Pregnant women

People taking the following medications should be cautious about consuming soursop.

• Blood pressure medications. Consuming soursop while taking blood pressure medication may lead to hypotension.
• Anticoagulant medication. This is because soursop can slow blood clotting.

What other foods have similar nutrients?

Can’t find soursop at your grocery store? Many other fruits and foods contain similar nutrients. These include citrus fruit, bananas, avocados, spinach, apples, pears, oats and legumes.

Jowelle Haikal is an inpatient clinical dietitian.

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