Graviola, also known as soursop or Brazilian paw paw, is a small evergreen tree. It contains compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help manage blood sugar, blood pressure, and more.
Graviola is gaining popularity as a natural remedy for viruses, pain relief, and even some types of cancer. Keep reading to learn if the research backs the hype.
Research suggests that graviola has a number of health benefits:
Antioxidant properties
Antioxidants keep the body’s cells healthy by hunting disease-causing free radicals in the body and destroying them.
According to a 2014 study, graviola extract has many compounds with antioxidant abilities.
These include:
- tannins
- saponins
- phytosterols
- flavonoids
- anthraquinones
Antioxidants help people stay healthy overall. However, more research is necessary to determine if graviola’s antioxidants prevent specific diseases.
Anti-inflammatory properties
According to a
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Still, researchers cautioned more studies are necessary to determine if it is safe for humans. It is unclear if the herb would have the same pain-relieving effects in people.
May help lower blood sugar
The results of a
In addition, despite the rats consuming less food and water, they did not lose weight. Researchers believe this may be the result of better glucose control.
May help lower blood pressure
People often use graviola as a folk remedy to lower blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure may increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
A 2012 study on rats found graviola helped reduce blood pressure without increasing heart rate. According to researchers, the herb’s hypotensive abilities are due to its effect on calcium ions.
May help prevent ulcers
Ulcers are painful sores that develop in the stomach lining, esophagus, or small intestine.
According to a
Helping treat herpes
Herpes is a viral infection that occurs due to the herpes simplex virus. It may appear on the genitals or mouth.
Health experts consider graviola an alternative treatment for herpes, but the supporting evidence is still inconclusive. However, a 2012 study showed it had some antiherpes activity in the laboratory.
Additionally, according to an
Anticancerous properties
There is some evidence that graviola may help against some types of cancer. According to
It also increased T cells, which are lymphocytes in the body that kill cancer cells, and other damaged cells.
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Still, researchers caution graviola alone is insufficient to eradicate pancreatic tumors, and doctors should not use it as a primary treatment. Studies are ongoing to evaluate the efficacy of graviola as an adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer.
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.
Graviola may cause nerve damage and movement problems, especially with long-term use. It may also cause serious neuropathy that leads to Parkinson-like symptoms, such as tremors or stiff muscles. If someone has Parkinson’s disease, graviola may worsen their symptoms.
Graviola may be toxic to the kidneys or liver with repeated use. Therefore, people should not use it if they have liver or kidney conditions.
Those considering using graviola should first talk with their doctor if they:
- have high blood pressure or take blood pressure medications
- have diabetes
- are pregnant
- are breastfeeding
Although graviola could be effective against some health conditions in animal studies, there are few human studies on the herb.
Users have offered anecdotal evidence, but more scientific study on humans is necessary before researchers can say that graviola is effective in treating certain conditions.
If someone is interested in adding graviola to their routine, they can consult their doctor. They can advise them on the risks and potential benefits of the herb and answer any questions they may have.