Nashauna Drummond/Keisha Shakespeare, Gleaner Writers

Delicious, refreshing and a powerhouse of vitamins. All that and so much more is in a glass of soursop juice. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Beyond its seemingly tough exterior lies a soft, sweet, lily-white interior. The soursop, though often overlooked, is a regular Sunday dinner guest in Jamaica. Recently, its popularity was revamped in a bottle. It has now joined Jamaican fruits: otaheite apple, pineapple, mango and sorrel as a member of the Tru-Juice Premium Quality Juices family.

But this humble fruit that can be had straight from the tree or as a delicious drink, or even in a cake, is a powerhouse of vitamins. It contains significant amounts of Vitamins C, B1 and B2.

Vitamin C is essential for the growth and repair of tissues. It is necessary for the formation of collagen, an important protein used to make skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is also essential for healing wounds and for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth. It is also one of many antioxidants; nutrients that prevent some of the damage caused by free radicals (by-products that result when our bodies transform food into energy).

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) acts as a coenzyme in the body's metabolism. Deficiency leads to beriberi, a disease of the heart and nervous system. Thiamine is especially important as a supplement for persons with serious liver conditions.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), is essential for the reactions of coenzymes. Its deficiency causes inflammation of the lining of the mouth and skin.

An aphrodisiac

Soursop has also found its way into gourmet cuisine in the form of this Soursop Charlotte from Half Moon Hotel in Montego Bay. - Contributed

Soursop is also rich in mineral, protein and carbohydrate, particularly fructose. It is a good source of calcium, iron and phosphorous. It is known for its ability to treat haemorrhoids, obesity, heart and kidney ailments and arthritis. Added to its nutritional properties, it has the incentive of being an aphrodisiac. The leaves of this native West Indian fruit tree, are believed to have sedative properties. In rural Jamaica, the leaves are boiled and used to lower blood pressure.

So, to promote a healthier lifestyle, have a cool refreshing glass of soursop juice. The fruit is now in season and available at the market or supermarket or in bottled form. Or, why not get creative and try one of the recipes listed.