FAQs on Soursop Tea: Your Health Questions Answered

Drying soursop leaves is essential to extend their shelf life. This process helps to remove moisture, minimize microbial contamination, and prevents the degradation of their raw material composition during storage.

Additionally, a crucial step following drying is the roasting stage, which significantly influences the leaf chemical composition and aroma. However, the impact of packaging materials and storage temperatures on soursop fruit tea is limitedly known.

Drying soursop leaves helps preserve them for longer, making it a preferred method to enhance their shelf life and maintain their medicinal properties.

Research has shown that both fresh and dried soursop leaves can be beneficial, exhibiting potential health advantages in animal-based models in the laboratory. However, more human-based studies are required to draw conclusive results.

Honey is generally considered healthier than sugar. According to the USDA Food Data Central (2019), honey contains fewer calories per 100g (304 Kcal) compared to sugar per 100g (401 Kcal), along with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are absent in sugar.

Additionally, honey has a lower glycemic index, making it a better option for those managing their calorie intake and requires a natural sweetener.

Soursop leaves can be reused multiple times for brewing tea, although the flavor may become diluted with each subsequent use.

The number of times leaves can be re-steeped effectively depends on their quality and your personal preference for tea strength. It is advisable to adjust the steeping time for each infusion to achieve the desired strength.

The effectiveness of soursop leaves depends on the incubation time and extraction method. According to a recent WebMD article in 2024:

“No one knows the best dose or how much is safe”.

Possible harms from graviola may include:

• Nerve damage. Lab animals got tremors and other movement problems similar to symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. 
• Low blood pressure. Graviola could lead to a drop in blood pressure in animals and humans. This may cause trouble if you already have low blood pressure or are on medication to lower it.
• Low blood sugar. Graviola potentially may be dangerous if you’re prone to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or take diabetes drugs.
• Faulty tests. Graviola can interfere with nuclear imaging because it stops your body from absorbing the radioactive drugs used in the test. It also might interfere with your blood pressure reading or blood sugar level tests.

It is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider, especially for long-term use.

While soursop leaves have been widely promoted for their potential anti-cancer properties, scientific research has not conclusively proven these benefits in humans. Studies have identified promising compounds in soursop that kill cancer cells in test tubes and in animal studies without harming the healthy ones. However, clinical trials are necessary to evaluate their safety and effectiveness in human cancer treatment.

Cancer Treatment Center of America, in an article of 2017, advises:

Experts have shown strong concerns against using the fruit to treat cancer. There is no evidence of its safety or efficacy in human studies. 

Recent research in 2022 advises that Graviola has been identified to have promising compounds that could potentially be utilized for the treatment of cancer. Clinical trials examining the vast pharmacological potential are still needed. The widespread use of graviola in traditional medicine shows that, if carefully explored, these compounds could provide great benefits by making effective cancer treatments more accessible and affordable.

It is important to consult your healthcare professionals before consuming them as a part of treatment.

Soursop is used in traditional medicine to treat a wide range of ailments, including fever, digestive issues and inflammatory conditions like cough, asthma, among others. It is also noted for its calming action and soothing properties, particularly beneficial for insomnia and nervous disorders.

There is no scientific evidence to support the use of soursop tea for treating cysts in the neck. If you notice a lump in your neck, it is essential to consult a doctor for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. It is not advised to rely on soursop tea for such conditions without professional medical advice.