DESPITE ongoing efforts to tackle cancer, the disease remains one of the leading causes of death around the globe. Several therapies, including chemotherapy, have improved survival rates. One fruit has demonstrated comparable effects to the drug in animal studies.
The effects of diet on cancer remain largely understudied, but early research has shown that one fruit, purported to have medicinal qualities, can slow the spread of the disease. Other research suggests it may enhance the performance of traditional therapies, or selectively kill several types of cancer cells. Doctors, however, have advised against its use in cancer prevention due to a lack of research on humans.
Graviola comes from the trees of rainforests in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia, where it is commonly consumed.
The fruit’s pulp is used widely in juices, and smoothies, but can be bought in its organic form from certain tropical fruit suppliers in the UK.
