Guanábana: properties, benefits and how to consume it

Guanábana is a fruit that provides an excellent amount of fiber, delaying the absorption of food, favoring the control of blood sugar levels and helping to prevent insulin resistance and diabetes.

In addition, guanábana has large amounts of alkaloids, flavonoids and lutein, compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that fight the excess of free radicals and reduce inflammation in the body, helping to relieve gastric problems, such as ulcers, gastritis and preventing diseases , such as cataracts and even some types of cancer.

The scientific name of this fruit is Annona muricata L, and because it can be bought in supermarkets and municipal markets, it has a sweet and slightly acidic flavor, and it can be consumed raw or used in the preparation of smoothies, juices and desserts. In addition to the pulp, the guanábana products are also used in the preparation of infusions.

Properties of la guanábana

Guanábana contains important amounts of phytochemicals, such as phenolic compounds, alkaloids, acetogenins and essential oils, in addition to providing some minerals and vitamins, such as potassium, magnesium and vitamin C, which have different properties: diuretics, sedatives, hypoglycemic agents, hypotensives , antioxidants, antirheumatic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic.

Health benefits

Thanks to its properties, this fruit provides different benefits for health, los cuales son:

1. Relieve inflammatory diseases

Guanábana has anti-inflammatory properties that help to alleviate some pains, promoting the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are produced in the body in case of some inflammation, being very useful to improve the symptoms of some inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis and el rheumatism.

2. Control diabetes

This fruit is rich in fibers that help to control blood glucose levels, in addition to having large amounts of antioxidants that protect the β cells of the pancreas for the proper functioning of insulin, thus being a beneficial food to prevent and control it. diabetes.

3. Promote eye health

Being rich in lutein, important antioxidant compounds for eye health, guanábana helps to reduce the risk of developing diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration, which is associated with the age and causes damage to the view, including the lost of the vision.

4. Reduce anxiety and stress

The alkaloid compounds of guanábana contain properties with relaxing activity that influence the central nervous system, interacting with neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which helps to improve levels of anxiety and stress.

5. Protect your stomach

The guanábana has a gastric protective effect thanks to its antioxidant components that reduce the oxidative damage of the stomach and favor the reduction of gastric acidity, keeping the mucosa healthy, providing a very beneficial food to prevent and help control diseases, such as ulcer and la gastritis.

6. Help control blood pressure

This fruit contains potassium and alkaloids, which act to favor the reduction of blood pressure, and which promotes the elimination of excess sodium through the urine and relaxes blood vessels, helping to prevent and control arterial hypertension.

7. Improve wound healing

The guanabana oil applied to the skin, helps the healing of the heridases, this is due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the production of pro-inflammatory and free radical cytokines, favoring skin regeneration.

8. Keep the body hydrated

The pulp of this fruit contains approximately 81% of water, which is why it is an important food that promotes the hydration of the organism, being beneficial to consume during the very hot season or during a very intense physical activity, helping to recover the water lost body and preventing dehydration.

9. Prevent stress

The guanabana is rich in water and fiber, which favors the intestinal functioning, helping the formation and elimination of the fecal cake, being very good to help with the problems of strenght.

Does the guanabana cure cancer?

The relationship between the consumption of guanábana and cancer, however, is not scientifically proven, however, several studies have been carried out with the aim of studying the components of guanábana and its effect on cancer cells.

Recent studies have shown that guanabana is rich in acetogenins, which is a group of metabolic products that have a cytotoxic effect, being able to act directly on cancer cells. Furthermore, it has been observed in some studies that its long-term consumption generates a preventive effect as a therapeutic potential for different types of cancer, such as breast, colon, lung and prostate.

In spite of this, it is necessary to carry out more specific studies that include the guanábana and its components, in order to verify the true effect that this fruit poses against cancer, and that its action can vary according to the way of growing it. fruit and concentration of its bioactive compounds.

Nutritional information for guanabana

In the table, the nutritional composition in 100 g of guanabana is indicated:

It is important to mention that to obtain all the benefits mentioned above, guanábana must be included in a balanced and healthy diet, associated with the practice of physical activity on a regular basis. See how to make a healthy diet.

how to consume it

The guanábana can be consumed raw or used in preparations such as desserts, yokes and ice creams. In addition, guanábana hojas can also be used to prepare infusions.

• guanabana tea: put 10 g of dried guanabana beans in 1 liter of boiling water. Cover and leave to rest the infusion for 5 to 10 minutes. Paste and drink 2 to 3 glasses after the food;

• guanabana yoke: add in a blender 1 cup of guanabana chopped in cubes without seeds, 500 ml of water and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar or a few drops of sweetener. Blend until you get a homogeneous mix and drink.

Another way to consume guanábana is through supplements in capsules, where the dose varies according to the manufacturer, it is generally recommended to take 2 capsules a day, 30 minutes before meals. However, guanábana can cause some side effects, so only supplements must be consumed under the supervision of a doctor, nutritionist or naturopath.

side effects

Some toxic effects were found in very high doses of guanábana fruits, however, these areas are very difficult to reach, considering that 70 tés of this fruit must be consumed to have toxicity.

Cases of the development of degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, were related to the excessive consumption of guanabana during a long period of time, however, the studies [1] are not conclusive.

Contraindications

There is little information about safety and effectiveness in embarazo and lactancia, so it should only be consumed under medical authorization.

This tampoco fruit is recommended for people with Parkinson’s disease and low blood pressure, as it can worsen symptoms.

In addition, people who use medication for depression, to control arterial hypertension and diabetes, should inform their doctor before starting to consume guanábana, as this fruit can change the effects of these medications.