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Benefits Of The Jamaican Sweetsop
Health Benefits and Uses

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jamaican_sweet_sopBenefits Of The Jamaican Sweetsop

By Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

We have an abundance of fruits in Jamaica and among them, one of my favourites is the Sweet Sop. Being as uncommon as it is, it’s sometimes mistaken for the more popular Soursop.

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Sweetsop vs. Soursop: What's the Difference?

Sweetsop is often confused with its close relative, the soursop, but they differ in several key aspects. While both fruits belong to the custard apple family, the sweetsop is smaller and lacks the prickly skin of the soursop. Its bumpy rind gives way to a tender, creamy flesh that resembles custard in texture and taste, making it a delightful treat whether eaten fresh or blended into smoothies and desserts.

Sweetsop is mostly cherished for its delicious taste but it also has some significant health benefits.

Health Benefits of Sweetsop

1. Rich in Vitamins and Antioxidants:
Sweetsop is packed with vitamin C, rivalling the levels found in oranges, making it a potent immune booster, even aiding in your skin health and healing of wounds. It also contains vitamin A for vision and skin health, along with vitamin B6 and riboflavin which supports your nerve function and help combat conditions like macular degeneration.

2. Heart Health and Blood Pressure:
High in potassium and magnesium, sweetsop helps regulate blood pressure and supports heart health. Potassium, in particular, is vital for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels and proper heart function.

3. Digestive Health and Weight Management:
The fruit's high fibre content promotes digestive regularity, prevents constipation, and supports weight management by increasing satiety.

4. Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties:
Loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C and compounds that neutralize free radicals, sweetsop helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are linked to chronic diseases and ageing.

5. Other Benefits:
It aids in iron absorption, making it beneficial for preventing anaemia, and its natural anti-inflammatory properties can help alleviate conditions like asthma and arthritis.

Traditional Uses

While traditionally sweetsop is not particularly known for any specific medicinal uses, in other parts of the world it has several; from treating skin ailments to promoting hair health and even acting as a natural insecticide. 

Global Uses:

  • In some countries, the seeds and dried fruits are pounded and powdered to make fish poison or insecticide. In Mexico, the leaves are rubbed on floors and placed in hens' nests to repel lice. Oil from the seeds has also been used against agricultural pests.
  • The seed oil has been proposed as a substitute for peanut oil in soap manufacturing. While toxic, it can be detoxified by an alkali treatment for edible purposes. Leaf oil is occasionally used in perfumes, adding a woody, spicy accent.
  • Throughout tropical America, tea made from the leaves is consumed for menstrual problems and fever, and as a general digestive tonic, cold remedy, or to clarify urine. Leaf extract is also used in baths to soothe rheumatic pain.
  • The very astringent green fruit, bark, and roots are used against diarrhoea, with the root being particularly effective for dysentery and other ailments.
  • In lab tests, bark extract shows activity against prostate cancer cells.
  • In India, crushed leaves are sniffed to overcome hysteria and fainting spells, applied to ulcers and wounds, and a leaf decoction is taken for dysentery. The crushed ripe fruit, mixed with salt, is applied to tumours.

How to enjoy a Sweetsop

You can enjoy your Sweetsop straight from the tree when its segments naturally open to reveal the creamy, fragrant flesh. On the other hand, you can add it to desserts and shakes. However, remember to be cautious with the seeds, they can be toxic if ingested.

So if you're looking to enhance your health with a delicious twist, consider adding sweetsops to your diet. Its blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants not only delights the palate but also nourishes the body from within.

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References & Sources For Benefits Of The Jamaican Sweetsop

  1. Lesa. (2024, May 3). 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Sweetsop. Jamaican Foods and Recipes. https://jamaicanfoodsandrecipes.com/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-sweetsop/

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