30+ Soursop

Soursop is native to the Caribbean and American tropics where it traditionally has the nicknames the healer tree, the protector against evil and the fruit of the soil. Like papaya, jackfruit and cacao, it is a cauliflorous tree. This means its flowers and fruit grow on the trunk. This is thought to maximise opportunities for seed dispersal by bats, monkeys and insects in the lower canopy of the rainforest.

Soursop is a good source of vitamin C and provides B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, copper, potassium, magnesium, iron and phosphorous. It also contains vitamin A, choline, calcium, selenium and zinc. It contains phytonutrients that are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and support the immune system as well as healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Some social media reports have erroneously claimed that it is '10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy.' However, these reports have some basis in truth. Acetogenins (found in soursop, pawpaw, sugar apple and custard apple) have been shown to selectively starve cancer cells of energy and increase apoptosis (programmed cell death). So far, this has only been proven in lab tests.

Soursops are eaten fresh (minus the seeds that are toxic), made into smoothies, juices, ice cream, sorbet and yoghurt. The leaves can be steeped into soursop tea. Unripe, green soursop can be used like jackfruit - in stews, curries, bakes and even on pizza.