Sugar Apple (Sitafal) Benefits and Side Effects

Diabetes is a condition wherein the body is unable to metabolise glucose. This glucose then stays in the bloodstream leading to increased blood sugar levels. many people all over the world are falling prey to this disease. Sitaphal is traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes. Studies indicate that sitaphal may exhibit antidiabetic properties by stimulating insulin production and improving glucose absorption in the body. Animal study suggests that blood sugar levels can be brought under control by using the aqueous extracts from sugar apple leaves. Additionally, the antioxidants present in sitaphal have also been found to reduce diabetic complications.

Inflammation is a condition where some part of the body may become swollen or reddened due to injury or infection. Mostly, inflammation is also associated with pain. Extracts of sugar apple leaves are known to reduce inflammation associated with wounds or injury. Preclinical studies have suggested that the sugar apple extracts can help subside the pain, as they possess important analgesic (pain relieving) and anti-inflammatory properties. Another study reported that the seeds of sugar apple fruit also exhibit anti-inflammatory properties.

(Read more: Inflammation treatment)

The right balance between potassium and sodium is very important for the proper functioning of the body. Any imbalance between these two minerals indicates a higher risk of heart disease. Sugar apple is known to contain a moderate amount of sodium and high amount of potassium. According to the Archives of Internal Medicine, a low sodium/potassium ratio plays an important role in decreasing the risk of., various cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, etc. Being rich in potassium, this fruit is very useful in maintaining the overall health of the body, especially the heart health. Sitaphal has high levels of magnesium in it which relaxes the muscles of the heart. So the chances of getting a heart attack and stroke may be minimized.

(Read more: Heart disease treatment)

Not all microbes are harmful to humans. But this fact can never be ignored that these microbes are also the causative agents of various diseases. There are many compounds found in plant extracts which possess potent antimicrobial properties. Studies indicate that petroleum ether extract and methanol extract (ME) of sugar apple leaf is helpful in inhibiting microbial growth. It has been further suggested that these extracts were more potent against a certain category of bacteria (gram-positive). This includes the common infectious bacteria like Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis. In another study, the extracts of Sugar apple fruit were found to be helpful against both bacterial and fungal infections.

With the increased pace of human life, the dependency on medicines has increased as well. As a blood filter, liver is responsible for metabolizing all the toxic substances that enter the body. This includes medicine and drugs The liver breaks down such toxic substances so that they can easily pass through the urine instead of being deposited in the body. So, proper functioning of the liver is crucial for maintaining optimum health. In course of handling such processes, the liver tends to get deposited with some of those toxic substances. In a preclinical study, it was suggested that sugar apple extracts are considered to be effective and safe alternative treatment for such cases of liver toxicity. Though the extracts were not able to completely revert the conditions of liver toxicity it has been found to decrease it by good levels. According to a recent study, sugar apple seed extracts can efficiently reverse cell damage in liver.

(Read more: Liver disease types)

Ulcers can cause a lot of pain and burning. The body can develop ulcers either outside such as on a leg or arm or inside of the body such as in the stomach. Injuries, acidity, and infections are known to cause ulcers in the stomach. A chemical compound obtained from sugar apple twigs has been found to exhibit anti-ulcer activity by reducing the release of acid and pepsin (digestive enzyme) in the stomach. Though more methods to use sugar apple tree twigs for commercial extraction of this antiulcer compound are under study, research reveals sugar apple as a potent source, but yet to be fully exploited for its anti-ulcer properties.

(Read more: Peptic ulcer treatment)

Arthritis is a common disease which starts showing in the early 40s. The symptoms of this disease are pain, swelling and changes in the joints that limit movement. This disease is primarily seen to affect females. With no earlier warning, it can come on slowly or suddenly.and it usually lasts throughout life. Though many things can be done to help reduce pain, increase movement and keep the person active, arthritis can affect the muscles, organs and connective tissues. Extracts of sugar apple leaves were found useful as a treatment for arthritis. In a preclinical research, it was found that sugar apple extracts reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines and increased antioxidant levels in the body. Together these factors lead to a reduction in arthritis symptoms. This gives a good reason to include sugar apple in the treatment of arthritis.

Free radicals are the harmful substances in the body which attack the basic molecules like protein, DNA and lipid. An excess of free radicals can lead to serious cellular/tissue damage.To fight with such substances, our body needs antioxidants. Various studies have been done to test the antioxidant potential of sitaphal. Lab studies confirm the antioxidant potential of sugar apple extracts. According to an in vitro study, sugar apple mediates strong antioxidant activity due to the presence of certain phenolic compounds.

(Read more: Antioxidant rich foods)

Tumour is an abnormal proliferation of body cells, which, when malignant ( is highly invasive in nature), is termed as cancer. Annona species is one of the many plants, whose extracts have been used for their anticancer properties. Different parts of the plant, especially the leaves, seeds, and bark have been found to inhibit the growth and spread of cancer. The compound called, acetogenins which are specific to the Annonaceous species  has been proposed as the reason for sugar apple’s anti-cancer property. In vitro studies suggest that the leaf extracts of sugar apple exhibit cytotoxic activity against skin cancer and colon cancer cell line. Seed extracts of sugar apple have also demonstrated some anti cancer activity against liver cancer cells. Scientists are looking forward to find the clinical applications of sugar apple for inhibiting cancer in the human population

• Prevents premature labor
• Helps in development of the brain in the fetus
• Rejuvenates the skin
• Helps in avoiding morning sickness
• Keeps the skin youthful