Health is paramount to what Magik Nectar do. Yes, our choice of Juices are delicious; however health benefit is our main motivator. delicious is a byproduct of doing it The Way nature Intended. Some of you might be aware of the Sour Sop Fruit, other might not, For those of you who are unaware Sour Sop is a super food, one you should consume whever you have the oppotunity to. The people who are aware of this magnificent fruit also know that Sour Sop makes one of the most delicious juices on the planet, but what none of you are aware of (unless you've had Magik Nectar's Sour Sop Juices) is that Magik Nectar's Sour Sop Juices are made like no other.

A native of the warm and tropical regions of the Americas, soursop is a fruit that goes by many names. Its scientific name is Annona muricata, but it also goes by guanabana, paw-paw, sirsak, and graviola. Soursop is a member of the Annonaceae family, also known as the custard apple family. The fruits, which grow on trees, are large and oval-shaped. The green exterior, which has spines on it, covers a white, fibrous flesh. They grow up to 8 inches and can weigh up to 10 pounds. Soursop’s flavor can best be described a cross between mango and pineapple Soursop has many uses in traditional medicine, and it has been used to treat a wide range of health conditions and ailments. With its strong nutrient profile, it provides a variety of health benefits. Health Benefits Soursop is high in vitamin C, an antioxidant known to boost immune health. The vitamin strengthens your immune system, improving its ability to defend against pathogens. It also promotes the destruction of free radicals, which can help to protect your skin and cells from environmental oxidative damage. One whole soursop fruit contains 215% of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Soursop (the fruit and the leaves) contains many other antioxidants, including phytosterols, tannins, and flavonoids. Antioxidants play a role in your overall health and may help to protect against a variety of health conditions. Other health benefits of soursop include: Healthy digestion One whole soursop fruit contains around 83% of your recommended daily allowance of fiber, which is a vital nutrient for your digestive health. Fiber helps to promote regularity and prevent digestive issues such as constipation.

Potential anti-carcinogenic effects While most research is limited to test-tube studies, soursop may be beneficial in helping to fight and prevent cancer. One study found that a soursop extract could reduce the size of breast cancer tumors and kill cancer cells. A second study found that an extract could stop the formation of leukemia cells. Fights inflammation Antioxidants fight free radicals, reducing the damage to your cells caused by oxidative stress. One of the side effects of oxidative stress is inflammation. The antioxidants in soursop may, therefore, help to reduce inflammation in the body. RELATED: Video: How to Build a Balanced Meal Stabilizes blood pressure High blood pressure may lead to serious issues like heart disease and heart attack. A contributing factor to high blood pressure is sodium intake. Potassium helps your body to get rid of sodium and eases the tension in the walls of your blood vessels, both of which can help to lower your blood pressure. A whole soursop fruit offers approximately one-third to one-half of your recommended daily allowance of potassium. May fight against bacteria Soursop may provide antibacterial effects. One study found that an extract may be able to kill many different types of bacteria, including strains that cause gum disease and cavities. Another study found that soursop extracts may help to fight cholera and Staphylococcus bacteria. While these were test-tube studies, the results are promising, and further research is needed.

Soursop contains many essential vitamins and minerals, including: Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin C Folate Calcium Iron Potassium Magnesium Phosphorous Zinc Copper Nutrients Per Serving One entire soursop fruit provides: Calories: 413 Protein: 6 grams Fat: 2 grams Carbohydrates: 105 grams Fiber: 21 grams Sugar: 85 grams Things to Watch Out For While soursop can offer significant health benefits, it does have some potential drawbacks. Studies have shown that the fruit and tea made from the leaves may cause symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease. Studies also indicate that it may interact with high blood pressure medication or medications for diabetes. The compounds in the fruit may strengthen the effects of such medications, causing dangerous drops in your blood pressure or blood sugar levels. You should also avoid eating soursop seeds. They have toxic compounds and may cause harmful side effects. Be sure to remove them before eating the fruit. How to Eat Soursop You’ll likely find fresh and frozen soursop in Brazilian grocery stores. You may also find the fruit in some conventional grocery stores or online. Most soursop is picked before the fruit is fully ripened. While the unripe fruit is green, it turns to a yellow-green to indicate maturity. It will also give a little when you press on it. Store unripe fruit on the counter. Once mature, you should store it in the refrigerator and use it within a few days. Soursop is delicious raw. You can also use it in many different ways, such as: Homemade popsicles Ice cream A sweet addition to your favorite smoothie recipe Juices A topping for to oatmeal, yogurt, or chia pudding A zesty addition to a quick bread or cake.

Hailing from the warm and tropical regions of the Americas, soursop is a versatile fruit known by various names. Scientifically labeled Annona muricata, it's also recognized as guanabana, paw-paw, sirsak, and graviola.

Belonging to the Annonaceae family, commonly referred to as the custard apple family, soursop trees bear large, oval-shaped fruits. Encased in a spiny green exterior, these fruits yield a white, fibrous flesh, reaching sizes of up to 8 inches and weighing as much as 10 pounds. The flavor of soursop is often likened to a blend of mango and pineapple.

Soursop boasts an extensive history of traditional medicinal use, offering a spectrum of health benefits thanks to its robust nutrient profile.

Health Benefits

Rich in vitamin C, a potent antioxidant renowned for bolstering immune function, soursop enhances the body's defenses against pathogens while combating environmental oxidative stress. A single soursop fruit provides a whopping 215% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.

Moreover, soursop, both in its fruit and leaf forms, contains an array of antioxidants such as phytosterols, tannins, and flavonoids, contributing to overall health and potentially shielding against various ailments.

Additional health benefits of soursop include:

• Healthy Digestion: A single soursop fruit offers approximately 83% of the daily fiber requirement, vital for digestive health by promoting regularity and preventing issues like constipation.

• Potential Anti-Carcinogenic Effects: While primarily studied in vitro, soursop exhibits promising potential in combating and preventing cancer. Research suggests it may reduce tumor size in breast cancer and impede the formation of leukemia cells.

• Inflammation Reduction: Soursop's antioxidants combat free radicals, mitigating cellular damage caused by oxidative stress, thereby potentially reducing inflammation in the body.

• Blood Pressure Regulation: Soursop's potassium content aids in flushing out sodium from the body, easing tension in blood vessel walls, and thereby helping to lower blood pressure. A single soursop fruit offers approximately one-third to one-half of the daily potassium requirement.

• Antibacterial Properties: Studies indicate soursop extracts may possess antibacterial properties, capable of combating various bacteria, including those responsible for gum disease, cavities, cholera, and Staphylococcus infections.

Nutrition

Soursop is rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B1, B2, B3, C, folate, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, and copper.

Nutritional Content per Serving

• Calories: 413
• Protein: 6 grams
• Fat: 2 grams
• Carbohydrates: 105 grams
• Fiber: 21 grams
• Sugar: 85 grams

Considerations

Despite its health benefits, soursop may pose some risks. Studies suggest that consuming soursop fruit or leaves may induce symptoms resembling Parkinson's disease and could interact with medications for high blood pressure or diabetes, potentially leading to dangerous drops in blood pressure or blood sugar levels. Additionally, soursop seeds contain toxic compounds and should be avoided.

Consumption Tips

Fresh or frozen soursop can be found in Brazilian grocery stores or occasionally in conventional markets or online. Unripe soursop should be stored at room temperature until it ripens, at which point it can be refrigerated and consumed within a few days. Soursop can be enjoyed raw or incorporated into various dishes, such as homemade popsicles, ice cream, smoothies, juices, or as a topping for oatmeal, yogurt, or baked goods.