Propiedades, beneficios y efectos de la guanábana (Annona muricata L.) sobre la glucemia y el cáncer.

Soursop (Annona muricata L.) is a fruit that has presented various benefits to human health. Different parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicine to reduce inflammation, fever, cough, and asthma. The fruit promotes some antihyperglycemic and weight loss activity in the body; additionally, it has been used as an anticancer remedy. Due to all of the above, this work aimed to review and analyze different results of experimental research conducted with different parts of the soursop, considering its glycemic activity and its antitumor effect, for a possible future application. Several articles, journals, and books from virtual servers which contained the characteristics requested for the topic in question were reviewed to prepare this paper. The results showed the presence of certain components such as tannins, flavonoids, catechins, quercetins, and polyphenols. Among the active principles most present in soursop are the annonaceous acetogenins; these natural phytochemicals produced in the tree’s roots, bark, stems, and leaves, as well as in the fruit’s seeds, have demonstrated diverse beneficial effects. Leaves, fruits, roots, and seeds have been regarded as components with anti-diabetic effects; some research showed that the daily administration of leaf extract in rats decreased blood levels of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol; other studies administered an extract of soursop with ginger for thirty days, showing a decrease in liver damage caused by diabetes mellitus. The acetogenins present in soursop have been studied for their antitumor activity since these compounds can selectively inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The fruit's polyphenols have demonstrated antioxidant effects, which could have co-adjuvants effects in cancer treatments. Despite the benefits, caution should be exercised if ingested in large quantities and for prolonged periods due to potentially adverse effects.La guanábana (Annona muricata L) es un fruto que ha presentado diferentes beneficios a la salud humana. Se han empleado diversas porciones de la planta en medicina tradicional para disminución de inflamación, fiebre, tos y asma. El fruto promueve cierta actividad antihiperglucemiante y adelgazante en el organismo; adicionalmente se ha empleado como remedio anticancerígeno. Debido a lo anterior, el objetivo de este trabajo fue revisar y analizar diversos resultados de investigaciones experimentales realizadas con diferentes partes de la guanábana, para considerar su actividad glucémica y su efecto antitumoral para una posible aplicación a futuro. Para desarrollar el presente trabajo, se revisaron diversos artículos, revistas y libros de servidores virtuales que contenían las características solicitadas para el tema tratado. Los resultados demostraron la presencia de ciertos componentes como taninos, flavonoides, catequinas, quercetinas y polifenoles. Entre los principios activos mayormente presentes en la guanábana están las acetogeninas anonáceas; estos fitoquímicos naturales producidos en las raíces, corteza, tallos y hojas del árbol, así como en las semillas de los frutos, se ha demostrado diversos efectos benéficos. Hojas, frutos, raíces y semillas, han sido considerados componentes con efectos antidiabéticos; ciertas investigaciones demostraron que la administración diaria de extracto de hojas en ratas disminuyó los niveles sanguíneos de glucosa, triglicéridos y colesterol; otros estudios suministraron por treinta días un extracto de guanábana con jengibre, con una disminución en el daño hepático causado por diabetes mellitus. Las acetogeninas presentes en la guanábana, han sido estudiadas por su actividad antitumoral ya que estos compuestos pueden inhibir selectivamente el crecimiento de las células cancerígenas. Los polifenoles del fruto demostraron efecto antioxidante, los cuales pudieran presentar efectos coadyuvantes con los tratamientos contra el cáncer. A pesar de los beneficios, se debe tener precaución en caso de ingerirse en grandes cantidades y por períodos prolongados debido a potenciales efectos adversos

Nutritional imbalances in a Mexican vegan group: urgent need for country-specific dietary guidelines.

INTRODUCTION: vegan diets exclude the consumption of animal-derived products, and health advantages have been reported when followed. However, heterogeneous eating habits, food availability, and sociocultural characteristics among regions could lead to different physiological results. RESULTS: twelve patients following a strict vegan diet for an uninterrupted period of ≥ 3 years were subjected to clinical assessment. Patients significantly exceeded the suggested intake for sugar, presented six mineral deficiencies, and exhibited three vitamins below the recommended consumption. We further identified hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, subnormal serum vitamin B12 concentrations, as well as macrocytosis and microcytic anemia in several participants. DISCUSSION: this Mexican vegan diet is strongly influenced by endemic and cultural adaptations that could limit the benefits reported in other populations. Professional guidance is required to avoid specific deficiencies with potential repercussions. We urge country-specific vegan guidelines considering local eating habits, food availability, and sociocultural perspectives around food