(NaturalHealth365) There is no way around it these days. If you want to stay healthy, you simply must include superfoods into your diet (preferably every day) for their detoxification properties and high antioxidant content. But with so many to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you?

The choice is clear: if you want to help your body prevent and heal cancer. Learn about and choose those superfoods that have a proven scientific track record for protecting (and in some cases healing) major disease conditions.

Researchers are discovering more and more of these “superfoods” every day.  Among them is the strange-looking tropical fruit graviola (a.k.a. soursop), which very recent research is showing to be a powerful agent against cancer.

Amidst country-wide health crisis: Mexican researchers are studying graviola

For decades prior to the mid-1970’s, the main health issue for the citizens of Mexico had been malnutrition. Over the last fifty years, however, it has turned to obesity. In fact, at 32.8 % of the population, today Mexico has the highest percentage of individuals who are obese in the world – based on Body Mass Index (BMI). The U.S. follows close behind with 31.8% of the population defined as being obese.

With high obesity comes higher cancer risk. This is nothing new: many research studies have consistently made the link between the two conditions. A 2014 study found a 20 to 40% increase in risk of developing breast cancer in obese postmenopausal women, compared to women of the same age who were not obese. Obesity is also a major risk factor for breast cancer in men, according to a National Cancer Institute study.

Not surprisingly, Mexico’s rise in obesity has corresponded with a rise in cancer. In response to this situation, some Mexican researchers are looking towards locally-grown whole foods, especially “superfoods,” for possible solutions.

Scientists at Tepic Institute of Technology in the state of Nayarit have begun to study graviola and the cancer-targeting substances called acerogenins for the various effects these phytonutrients have on cancer tumor cells.

Graviola, or soursop, is a common fruit in many parts of this country.

Recent global studies verify the cancer-targeting power of soursop

The Tepic team, as well as others from around the world, have discovered some very positive results regarding acetogenins within graviola within the last two years:

• In their 2016 report in the journal Pharmaceutica Analytica Acta, Tepic Institute researchers discovered chemotherapeutic properties within graviola, again in large part because of the presence of acetogenins and other antioxidants. In particular, they found that the acetogenins in this fruit have the ability to “encapsulate” cancer tumor cells.
• A joint Chinese-Italian-Macau report published this year (2017) studied seven different varieties of the Annona (Annonaceae) species, including graviola, and found them all to be “sources of potential antitumor agents.” According to the report published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences: “Annonaceous acetogenins are one of the most promising classes of natural products, owing to their potential antitumor activity.”
• And a joint research project from France and Portugal also verified the potential cancer healing properties of acetogenin phytonutrients. They studied phytonutrients within the sea vegetable Laurencia obtusa, which is found in temperate to tropical ocean waters around the world, usually fairly close to shore. The team discovered 23 different possible compounds in Laurencia obtusa that could have an effect on cancer tumor cells, including disterpenes, sesquiterpenes and acetogenins which specifically targeted human leukemia cell lines in the study.

Earlier research found similar results regarding the acetogenins and other substances in graviola. A University of Mississippi study completed in 2010 took a look at acetogenins in both soursop and paw paw (a close cousin to graviola).

A key way that many natural antioxidant substances can reduce cancer tumors and stop their spread is through stopping the secretion of a protein called VEGF, or Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.  VEGF is much needed for growing fetuses and very young children.

For individuals with cancer, however, it can lead to rapid tumor growth. In the University of Mississippi study, both soursop and paw paw were found to prohibit the secretion of VEGF and prevent “hypoxia-induced tumor angiogenesis,” a.k.a. anaerobic cancer cell growth.

Local fruits and vegetables as healing powerhouses

Every super-healer that grows in nature has to come from somewhere. How many locally-grown plants and herbs grow in your local area are really “superfoods” in disguise? There are avocados in California, osha root in the American southwest, turkey tail mushrooms in japan, frankincense in the middle east, coconuts in many parts of Asia and Polynesia…the list goes on!

I say: Thank you, scientists of Instituto Tepic, for your forward-thinking. They reached out to a common fruit that grows prolifically in many parts of Mexico specifically because it not only potentially has some very powerful healing properties, it is also easy to grow regionally and can be obtained at low cost.

Although the research still continues on soursop/graviola and many questions remain regarding dose, effectiveness on cancer types and side effects, it is safe to say that this humble tropical fruit shows great promise as a possible cancer healer for Mexican citizens and others where it grows. And graviola may be yet another superfood to add to YOUR healthy breast toolbox as well!

About the author: Dr. Veronique Desaulniers (“Dr. V”) is a best-selling author and specialist in Chiropractic, Bio-Energetics, Meridian Stress Analysis, Homeopathy and Digital Thermography. After 30 years in active practice, she decided to “retire” and devote her time to sharing her personal, non-toxic Breast Cancer healing journey with others. Her years of experience and research have culminated in “The 7 Essentials™ “, a step-by-step coaching program that unravels the mystery of healing the body. Her website and personal healing journey have touched the lives of thousands of women around the globe. To get your F.R.E.E. 7-day mini e-course and to receive her weekly inspiring articles on the power of natural medicine – visit: BreastCancerConqueror.com

References:

https://am.asco.org/obesity-and-state-cancer-incidence-and-mortality-mexico
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/obesity/obesity-fact-sheet#r22
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24375928
https://www.oecd.org/health/health-systems/Obesity-Update-2014-MEXICO_ES.pdf
https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/in-vitro-antioxidant-capacity-of-crude-extracts-and-acetogenin-fraction-of-soursop-fruit-pulp-2153-2435-1000484.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2890309
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3411127
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6482
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150508105810.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28415154
https://www.seaweed.ie/descriptions/Laurencia_obtusa.php