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SOURSOP - AN EXCELLENT ANTIOXIDANT

Oxidative Stress Condition  is the tug of war between oxidation-causing agents and antioxidants for electrons . This is a condition when there is an imbalance between the amount of  Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)  and  Antioxidants . Increasing scientific evidence are concerning, as it suggests that ROS and Oxidative Stress play crucial roles in developing chronic diseases like pathogenesis, such as Cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.  The body deals with Oxidation causing Factors by producing  Endogenous Enzymatic Antioxidants  such as Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and non enzymatic antioxidants to stabilize Free Radicals and prevent Oxidative Damage.    Alternatively,  Exogenous Antioxidants  can be obtained from dietary sources. Metabolic compounds found in plants like,  Polyphenols and Flavonoids play an important role in scavenging free radicals because of their potential to neutralize the Harmful Free Radical
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WHAT IS CANCER ?

  WHAT IS CANCER ? Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.  The human body is made up of trillions of cells. Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body. Normally, human cells grow and multiply through a process called cell division. The body's growth demands new cells to be formed. When new cells grow old or become damaged, they die, and new cells take their place. This is the normal growth order in the human body. Sometimes this orderly process breaks down, and abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they should not. These cells may form tumors, which are lumps of tissue. Tumors can be cancerous or not cancerous ( Benign Tumors )  Cancerous tumors spread into, or invade, nearby tissues and can travel to distant places in the body to form new tumors (a process called Metastasis). These spreading Cancerous tumors may also be called Malignant tumors . Many cancers form solid tumors, bu

SOURSOP TREE GROWTH PROGRESS

  On favorable conditions, the Soursop seeds germinate after about 45 days. Successful germination enables further growth of the sapling which may reach to 1-2 feet after about one year. These small saplings are protected from the external physical damage and allowed to grow. Soursop plant attains about 3-6 feet within a span of about 2 years. With abundant sunlight and proper care with fertilizers and minimal pesticides, Soursop tree grows upto 7-10 feet and mature enough to get the flowering. These flowers on successful pollination grows into fruit. Soursop tree can bear upto 12-15 kg of fruits after 3-4 years of growth. With the help of proper fertilizers, after 5 years of growth, Soursop can bear upto 30-35 kg per tree in a single season. Intercrops like Onion, Tomato, Chilly or any other herb plant can be grown simultaneously to increase the gains. The fertilizers applied to intercrops are also shared with the Soursop tree, helping Soursop trees to grow more vigorously

NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF SOURSOP

  Soursop is loaded with various Minerals and Vitamins, being the reason why Soursop is most popular with health conscious people as well as those with poor health conditions due to serious disease like Cancer.  Minerals are the earth elements found in the foodstuff and are necessary for body growth and normal body functioning. Magnesium (Mg) helps regulate muscle and nerve function. It is generally regarded as good for muscle and bone health.  It helps to maintain blood sugar levels and stomach health. Calcium (Ca) plays an important role in muscle contraction and nerve functioning. It is important to keep the bones and teeth strong and healthy. Iron (Fe) is the integral part of Haemoglobin, responsible for the conduction of Oxygen. It keeps up the immune system and helps in energy production. Potassium (K) is important in lowering blood pressure and, therefore important in maintaining blood pressure. Vitamins are the group of substances required for normal cell functi

ANNONACEOUS FRUITS

  Family Annonaceae is rich in fruiting plants. Most popular amongst them are Ram phal, Sita phal, Hanuman phal, and Laxman phal. This blog discusses the comparison between all these fruits. Sita phal Annona squamosa is commonly known as Sita phal. Fruit is generally the size of the tennis ball with an irregular surface all over. The fruit pulp is fleshy and sweet with a grainy texure.    Ram phal Annona reticulata is commonly known as Ram phal. The fruit is little bigger than Sita phal. The outer fuit cover is smooth as compared to Sita phal. Hanuman phal Annona cherimola commonly known as Hanuman phal. This fruit has slightly irregular surface. The fruit is sweet in taste and pleasurable to eat.  Laxman phal Annona muricata is commonly known as Laxman phal or Soursop fruit. As the name muricata suggests, this fruit has soft spine all over the fruit surface. The fruit is sour in taste due to high vitamin C.   

SOURSOP TREE FRUITING

Soursop tree belongs to the Custard apple family, known as Annonaceae. The fruits are juicy, fleshy, and fibrous, giving the unique taste of Mango and Pineapple. It can be eaten fresh or it can be used to make popular products like Soursop juice, ice creams, custard, etc. The fruits and fruit products are popular with people for their tangy taste and exceptional health benefits. The fruits are believed to be helpful in treating Cancer. Soursop is, therefore, promoted as an Anticancer fruit which is helpful in alternative cancer treatment.    Soursop fruits appear on the tree after 3-5 years of its maturity.  Fruits are harvested when they are fully grown. When fruits are allowed to mature on a tree, they become soft on ripening, they fall and crush.  The fruits are to be eaten within 5-6 days after harvesting to experience their appropriate taste. They soon turn soft and overripe then after. Interestingly, Soursop is not just a delicious fruit, is it well known for its medicinal proper

SOURSOP TREE FLOWERING

  Soursop belongs to Annonaceae family. Being a primitive family, it does not produce colourful flowers but it develops green flowers which are not so attractive to insect and pest pollinators. Flowering in the Soursop tree is a beautiful spectator event. This amazing Soursop tree receives flowers right on the stem and branches as very few plants in the plant kingdom. These flowers turn into fruits after successful pollination. Interestingly, the size of the fruit is humongous, weighing about 3 to 6 kg depending upon the climatic conditions where the tree is growing. The picture in the frame says it all.