Graviola / Soursop

Graviola, also known as soursop, is a tropical fruit traditionally used as food and in herbal medicine.

In recent years, graviola has attracted significant attention in the cancer community because laboratory research has found that certain compounds in the plant may affect cancer cells.

Graviola contains naturally occurring compounds called annonaceous acetogenins, along with other plant compounds.

Laboratory studies have investigated graviola extracts against several types of cancer cells, including breast, lung, colon, prostate, pancreatic and liver cancer cells. Some of these studies have observed effects such as reduced cancer-cell growth or increased cancer-cell death.

This is one reason graviola is sometimes promoted online as a "natural cancer treatment."

However, there is an important distinction between what happens to cancer cells in a laboratory and what happens when a person consumes a supplement.

Fruit vs. concentrated supplements

There is an important difference between eating soursop as a food and taking concentrated graviola products.

Soursop fruit can be eaten as part of a varied diet. However, supplements may contain much more concentrated amounts of plant compounds.

Graviola products are available as:

• Tea

• Leaf preparations

• Capsules

• Powders

• Extracts

• Supplements

The safety and concentration of these products can vary.

As part of a holistic approach to health, many people combine graviola with other natural therapies, mindfulness practices, and lifestyle choices that support mind, body, and spirit alignment.

Potential safety concerns

Some compounds found in graviola have raised concerns about possible effects on the nervous system. Laboratory research has identified neurotoxic effects from certain graviola compounds, although it is not yet clear how these findings translate to humans. More research is needed.

Graviola may also lower blood sugar and blood pressure, which could potentially add to the effects of medications used for diabetes or high blood pressure.

There is also a specific consideration for people having certain nuclear imaging tests: Memorial Sloan Kettering advises avoiding graviola around imaging such as PET scans because it may affect test results.

Graviola and cancer treatment

If you are undergoing cancer treatment, it is especially important to tell your oncology team about any herbs, teas or supplements you are taking.

At My Renewal Era

I believe people deserve access to information about the many approaches they may encounter during their cancer journey.

Graviola is one of those approaches.

My approach is to learn, ask questions, understand the evidence and understand the risks.

Your wellness journey should be about becoming more informed and more connected to your body—not about feeling pressured to follow every "natural cancer cure" you see online. Or to do every conventional treatment presented to you.

This information is educational only and is not medical advice. Graviola has not been established as a treatment or cure for cancer. If you are considering graviola, particularly during cancer treatment, discuss it with your oncology team or a qualified healthcare professional first.