Soursop Tea Benefits and Side Effects (2024)

Soursop tea is an herbal tea that is made from the leaves of the soursop fruit tree. The fruit and leaves contain antioxidants such as flavonoids, phytosterols, and tannins.Soursop tea, also called Graviola tea, is rumored to have significant powers to prevent or treat cancer. Unfortunately, however, researchers have not been able to prove this benefit when they study soursop leaves in clinical studies. In addition, consuming soursop (especially long-term) may cause harm.

What Is SoursopTea?

Soursop trees are native to tropical areas in North and South America. The soursop fruit is a large green oval or heart-shaped fruit with thorny skin. Some sources describe the fruit as musky, while others compare the taste toa banana or papaya.Many people also use the leaves of the soursop fruit tree to make soursop tea, which is sometimes called Graviola tea.

Other names for soursop include guanabana, custard apple, and Brazilian paw paw. Some people also combine soursop tea with other ingredients including soursop fruit, matcha, or other herbal blends to tailor the taste or boost the health benefits. People use the fruit to make juice, smoothies, ice cream, and other sweet treats.

Does SoursopTea Contain Caffeine?

Soursop tea is not a "tea" in the traditional sense and is not made from the leaves of theCamellia sinensis plant, like black tea or green tea. It is brewed using just parts of the soursop plant, which does not contain any caffeine. Therefore soursop tea is completely caffeine-free.

SoursopTea Health Benefits

Cancer treatment is the most significant soursop tea health benefit you'll see advertised online or in stores. The tea made from soursop leaves is believed by some to treat, prevent, and even cure cancer. However, right now there is no overwhelming evidence to support those claims.

Preliminary studies suggest that soursop has both chemopreventive and therapeutic potential, but there are no conclusive results and further research is warranted.

Well-respected cancer organizations still advise caution:

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center acknowledges that Graviola has shown anticancer properties in lab studies, but human data are lacking.
  • Cancer Research UK (a non-profit cancer organization based in England) states that there is no evidenceto show that Graviola works as a cure for cancer.
  • The Cancer Treatment Centers of America advise, "Experts warn against using the fruit to treat cancer. While research suggests soursop can fight cancer, it has not been studied in humans. As a result, there is no evidence of its safety or efficacy."

In addition to its anticancer properties, some people use soursop to treat infections, coughs, weight loss, herpes, inflammation of the nose and throat, and parasitic infections such as lice. Others may use Graviola tea or soursop fruit to induce vomiting or to increase relaxation.

SoursopTea Risks andSide Effects

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center advises not to consume soursop or soursop leaves if you:

  • Are taking blood pressure medication
  • Are taking diabetes medication
  • If you are having any nuclear imaging studies performed

The organization also adds that repeated use may causeliver and kidney toxicityand that side effects of soursop may include movement disorders andmyeloneuropathy (a condition with symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease).

A Word From Verywell

If you or a loved one has cancer, it can be tempting to try an alternative treatment that promises hope.There are holistic treatments that may providerelief from certain cancer symptoms. However, some anticancer treatments may do more harm than good.

Before considering soursop, soursop leaves or any herbal treatment, speak with your healthcare provider to make sure that the treatment you use to get well doesn't cause harm.

7 Sources

Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Qazi AK, Siddiqui JA, Jahan R, et al. Emerging therapeutic potential of graviola and its constituents in cancers. Carcinogenesis. 2018;39(4):522-533.doi:10.1093/carcin/bgy024

  2. Graviola. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. 2019.

  3. Gajalakshmi S, Vijayalakshmi S, Devi Rajeswari V. Phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Annona Muricata: a review. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2012;4(2).

  4. Mochado de Moraes I, Ribeiro P, et al. UPLC–QTOF–MS and NMR analyses of graviola (Annona muricata) leaves. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 2016;26(2):174-179.doi:10.1016/j.bjp.2015.12.001

  5. Qazi AK, Siddiqui JA, Jahan R, et al. Emerging therapeutic potential of graviola and its constituents in cancers. Carcinogenesis. 2018;39(4):522-533. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgy024

  6. Cancer Research UK. Graviola (soursop). Updated October 22, 2018.

  7. Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Experts warn against using soursop to fight cancer. 2017.

Additional Reading

Soursop Tea Benefits and Side Effects (1)

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Soursop Tea Benefits and Side Effects (2024)

FAQs

Soursop Tea Benefits and Side Effects? ›

Soursop tea can be used to help treat fevers, hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes, as approved by your doctor. Despite having several health benefits, soursop tea should be consumed in moderation. Excessive intake can lead to side effects like hypotension, nausea and vomiting.

What does soursop tea do for the body? ›

Some studies have shown that the plant's active ingredients possess antioxidant, anticancer, anticonvulsant, anti-arthritic, anti-parasitic, anti-malarial, liver protective and anti-diabetic effects. Graviola / Soursop extracts have a promising potential for treating gastric ulcers.

Is it safe to drink soursop tea every day? ›

As the potency of soursop leaves is a little stronger than other conventional teas, it's recommended to take a break of at least ten days after daily consumption up to thirty days. Soursop leaves are extremely beneficial to treat different health conditions like high fever and breathing difficulties.

What are the disadvantages of soursop? ›

While soursop can offer significant health benefits, it does have some potential drawbacks. Studies have shown that the fruit and tea made from the leaves may cause symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. Studies also indicate that it may interact with high blood pressure medication or medications for diabetes.

What illnesses has soursop been known to treat? ›

People in Africa and South America use the bark, leaves, root, and fruits of the graviola tree to treat:
  • infections with viruses or parasites.
  • rheumatism.
  • arthritis.
  • depression.
  • sickness.

Can I drink soursop tea before bed? ›

In the West Indies, soursop leaves are commonly used as a sedative. In the Netherlands Antilles, the leaves are brewed to make a beverage that enhances sleep. The leaves can also be put into one's pillowcase to enhance sleep. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform.

Is soursop good for the kidneys? ›

So the consumption of soursop on CKD is safe because it does not cause hyperkalemia and is beneficial because several other studies have stated about the benefits of soursop on kidney disease.

Does soursop tea help you lose weight? ›

Aids in Weight Loss:

Soursop tea contains several B vitamins as well. They have been found to contribute to improving metabolism in people. We've all seen people with a high metabolism who burn fat rather quickly as opposed to people who have a low or slow metabolism.

Does soursop make you sleepy? ›

The leaves of the Soursop plant are brewed to make a beverage, which is effective in curing irregular sleep patterns. Many people also keep the leaves in their pillows to help them get rid of insomnia. In the West Indies, the leaves of the Soursop plant are commonly used as a sedative.

How much is too much soursop tea? ›

“I recommend you steer clear of soursop tea and supplements, and if you eat soursop or drink soursop juice, limit your consumptions to 1/2 cup a couple of days a week,” Brissette says.

Why is soursop illegal in the USA? ›

This rumor likely came out because the FDA has issued warnings about the safety of soursop, has stated that certain products containing soursop pulp pose a "public health concern," and has even warned that some sellers might be using false or unfounded claims to convince people to buy soursop.

How long should I drink soursop? ›

But we do know that too much of it can be harmful to your health. Soursop is not safe for humans as a supplement or as a food or drink in large amounts. I recommend you avoid soursop supplements and tea. If you eat soursop pulp, desserts, or drink the juice, try limiting it to ½ cup a few days a week.

What are the neurological problems with soursop? ›

Neurological disabilities include a wide range of disorders, such as epilepsy, learning disabilities, neuromuscular disorders, autism, ADD, brain tumors, and cerebral palsy, just to name a few. Some neurological conditions are congenital, emerging before birth.

What does soursop cure in the body? ›

The fruit graviola, or soursop, offers both a delicious flavor and excellent health benefits. It's a healthy option for those looking for an additional source of antioxidants, has cancer cell-killing properties, and may help reduce inflammation.

Why is soursop toxic? ›

One of the studies testified that high intake of soursop leaves can cause extremely low blood glucose level [7]. One of the sources of toxic compounds that produce the toxicity effect is annonacin, which belongs to acetogenins group [8].

Why is soursop not FDA approved? ›

Safety concerns for soursop

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve soursop or agree with any claims that it can treat conditions such as cancer. There are also reports of safety issues associated with cytotoxic drugs, such as hair loss and immune system suppression.

What are the amazing benefits of soursop? ›

Soursop is high in several vitamins and minerals and provides a good source of fiber. In addition to potassium, vitamin C, and copper, guanabana provides a good source of iron, magnesium, folate, and iron, all of which play important roles in overall health.

Should I drink soursop tea hot or cold? ›

Your fresh soursop leaf tea is ready to be consumed. You may drink it hot or cold. Some people add milk to give it a more traditional tea taste, but the choice is yours.

Why is soursop a superfood? ›

The soursop pulp is a wonderful source of fiber and contains several intriguing compounds that may have health advantages if consumed in moderation. The polyphenols found in the soursop plants, for example, are natural chemicals with antioxidant activity that defend cells against free radical damage [10].

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