Graviola is a tropical fruit-bearing tree native to South America, Southeast Asia, and certain parts of Africa. Known for its spiky green fruit and creamy pulp, graviola has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat ailments like infections, inflammation, and high blood pressure.
The leaves, seeds, and fruit of the graviola tree contain powerful phytochemicals, including acetogenins, which have shown promising anti-cancer properties in preliminary studies.
How Does It Work Against Cancer?
Graviola’s active compounds, particularly annonaceous acetogenins, have been studied for their ability to:
Target Cancer Cells: Acetogenins inhibit the growth of cancer cells by interfering with their energy production and metabolism.
Spare Healthy Cells: Unlike chemotherapy, graviola compounds selectively attack cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Induce Cell Death: Research suggests that these compounds trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancerous tissues.
Key Findings from Studies
A 2012 study published in the journal Cancer Letters showed that graviola extract significantly reduced the growth of pancreatic cancer cells.
Another study from Purdue University found that graviola’s acetogenins were effective in killing multi-drug-resistant cancer cells.
While these findings are promising, it’s important to note that most studies have been conducted in laboratory settings, and more clinical trials on humans are needed to fully confirm graviola’s effectiveness.
How to Use Graviola
