Graviola

Botanical

What is it

Graviola (Annona muricata, also called soursop) is a tropical tree whose leaves, bark, and fruit are used in traditional medicine for parasites, fever, and tumors. It is marketed in supplements as an antiparasitic and 'natural' anticancer aid.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Cancer (claimed)

Mixed Evidence

In vitro cytotoxicity does not translate to human clinical evidence. No reliable evidence supports use as cancer therapy.

How it works

Graviola contains acetogenins (annonaceous acetogenins like annonacin) that inhibit mitochondrial complex I in animal and cell culture studies. These compounds have shown cytotoxic effects on tumor cells in vitro. There is no convincing human clinical evidence for anticancer effects, and concerns exist about neurotoxicity from acetogenins, which have been linked to atypical parkinsonism in Caribbean populations consuming large amounts of fruit and tea.

Dosage

No RDA. Traditional doses are 1-2 g of dried leaf as a tea; supplement extracts vary widely.

When and how to take it

Not relevant given safety concerns.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Leaf extract/tea

Traditional form.

Contains acetogenins.

Fruit

Edible in moderation; not heavy consumption.

Lower acetogenin content than leaves.

Safety

Major concern: annonacin and related acetogenins are mitochondrial complex I inhibitors and have been epidemiologically associated with atypical parkinsonism in Guadeloupe and other Caribbean populations with high graviola intake. Avoid long-term or high-dose use.

Who should be cautious

Pregnancy and lactation: avoid. Anyone with Parkinson's disease or movement disorders: avoid. Cancer patients: do not use without oncology team approval. Long-term consumption: avoid due to neurotoxicity concerns.

Interactions

Theoretical additive effects with antihypertensives. Potential additive neurotoxicity with other mitochondrial toxins. Concerns about interfering with cancer therapy.

Food sources

Soursop fruit, 100 g

Amount
~66 kcal, vitamin C
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Does graviola treat cancer?⌄

No reliable human evidence supports this. Marketing claims are not backed by clinical trials.

Is it safe?⌄

Long-term or high-dose use raises neurotoxicity concerns due to acetogenins. Occasional fruit consumption appears safe; supplements should be avoided.

References

Graviola on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Graviola on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Graviola (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.