Does Soursop Help with Heart Palpitations? Separating Fact from Fiction

December 13, 2025 •

4 min read

While soursop has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, with recent research highlighting its potential cardiovascular benefits, there is no direct evidence confirming if soursop helps with heart palpitations. In fact, health professionals caution against relying on it as a treatment.

Quick Summary

Soursop contains heart-healthy nutrients like potassium and magnesium but lacks direct scientific evidence for treating palpitations. Excessive amounts or supplements can be harmful, interfering with medications, making expert consultation critical for those with heart concerns.

Key Points

Limited Evidence: Soursop has no specific scientific evidence proving it helps with heart palpitations.
Not a Cure: Palpitations are often caused by stress or stimulants, not a lack of soursop's nutrients, and should be managed with proven methods.
Potential Risks: Excessive soursop, especially extracts or teas, can cause drug interactions with heart medication and carries a risk of neurotoxicity.
Beneficial Nutrients: The fruit contains potassium and magnesium, which contribute to general heart health and blood pressure regulation.
Prioritize Medical Advice: Always consult a doctor before using soursop or any herbal supplement, particularly if you have a heart condition or are on medication.
Avoid Soursop Seeds: The seeds contain toxic compounds and must be avoided.

Soursop’s General Heart Health Benefits

Soursop, also known as graviola, is a tropical fruit praised for its nutritional profile and potential health benefits. Several components of the fruit and its leaves have been linked to improved cardiovascular function, though these effects are not specific to treating heart palpitations.

Blood Pressure Regulation: Soursop contains a high amount of potassium, a mineral crucial for regulating blood pressure. Potassium works by helping the body excrete excess sodium and relaxing the walls of blood vessels, which can contribute to lower blood pressure. Studies have shown that soursop consumption can significantly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in individuals with hypertension.
Antioxidant Properties: The fruit is rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and vitamin C, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation. Oxidative stress can damage cells and is a risk factor for heart disease. By neutralizing free radicals, soursop's antioxidants support overall heart health.
Lipid Profile Improvement: Some research suggests that soursop may help improve lipid profiles by reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This can contribute to a healthier cardiovascular system by preventing the buildup of plaque in blood vessels.

The Absence of Evidence for Heart Palpitations

Despite its general cardiovascular benefits, there is no scientific evidence to support the use of soursop specifically for treating or preventing heart palpitations. Heart palpitations are often triggered by factors unrelated to soursop's primary actions, such as stress, anxiety, or stimulant consumption. While soursop's mineral content is beneficial, it is not a targeted treatment for the electrical disturbances that cause palpitations.

Causes of Heart Palpitations

To understand why soursop is not a cure, it is important to consider the common causes of palpitations:

Emotional Triggers: Stress, anxiety, and panic attacks are common causes of palpitations.
Stimulants: Caffeine, nicotine, and certain medications can trigger a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
Electrolyte Imbalance: While soursop provides potassium, low levels of other electrolytes like magnesium can cause palpitations.
Underlying Conditions: More serious causes include heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), and thyroid problems.

Risks, Drug Interactions, and Expert Warnings

Before relying on soursop, it's crucial to understand the risks, especially for individuals with heart conditions or those on medication. High consumption, particularly of soursop leaf extracts and teas, can be dangerous.

Potential Side Effects

Drug Interactions: The compounds in soursop can intensify the effects of blood pressure and diabetes medications, potentially causing a dangerous drop in blood pressure or blood sugar. A Cleveland Clinic expert explicitly advises against taking soursop extracts and teas for this reason.
Neurotoxicity: Excessive intake of soursop fruit or leaf tea has been linked to nerve damage with symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. This risk is associated with the presence of annonaceous acetogenins.
Toxic Seeds: Soursop seeds contain toxic compounds and must be removed before consumption.

Comparison: Soursop for General Heart Health vs. Palpitations

This table highlights the difference between soursop's proven, though limited, heart benefits and its unsubstantiated use for palpitations.


Feature	Soursop's General Heart Benefits	Soursop's Effect on Palpitations
Primary Action	Provides potassium and antioxidants; may help lower blood pressure.	No direct, proven effect on treating or preventing palpitations.
Mechanism	Promotes vasodilation and aids sodium excretion.	Potential indirect benefit via electrolyte support, but not a specific, reliable remedy.
Scientific Evidence	Some studies show promising effects on blood pressure and lipids in animals and limited human trials.	Lacks specific, robust scientific evidence to support this claim.
Associated Risks	Potential neurotoxicity with excessive consumption; significant interactions with heart and diabetes medications.	Risks of high consumption outweigh any unproven benefits, especially for individuals with underlying heart issues.

Safer and Proven Methods for Managing Palpitations

Instead of relying on unproven remedies, individuals can manage palpitations by addressing common triggers and adopting healthier habits, often recommended by medical professionals.

Reduce Stress: Engage in calming activities such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or tai chi.
Limit Stimulants: Cut back on or avoid caffeine, nicotine, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration, which can be a trigger for palpitations.
Balance Electrolytes: Ensure your diet includes plenty of foods rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium to support heart health.
Regular Exercise: Consistent physical activity can help manage stress and improve overall heart function. Consult a doctor for a safe exercise plan.
Avoid Triggers: Pay attention to what you eat or do that might precede palpitations and avoid those specific triggers.

It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet or treatment plan, especially if you have pre-existing heart conditions or are taking medication. Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials.

Conclusion

While soursop offers general heart health benefits through its potassium and antioxidant content, it is not a scientifically proven remedy for heart palpitations. The fruit's ability to lower blood pressure and its electrolyte content may indirectly support heart function, but there is no specific evidence to back its use for palpitations. Furthermore, the potential for drug interactions, particularly with blood pressure medication, and the risk of neurotoxicity from high doses make relying on soursop dangerous. The safest and most effective approach is to manage known triggers like stress and stimulants and, most importantly, seek medical advice for persistent or concerning heart palpitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Soursop itself is not known to directly worsen heart palpitations, but excessive intake or specific extracts can interact negatively with certain medications, including those for blood pressure, which could lead to adverse effects.

Soursop is not recommended for people with heart conditions who are taking blood pressure or diabetes medication without first consulting a healthcare professional. High consumption can pose significant risks.

The potassium in soursop can help regulate blood pressure by balancing sodium levels and easing tension in blood vessel walls. However, this is a general benefit for heart health and not a specific treatment for palpitations.

Both the fruit and leaves contain beneficial compounds, but some studies on cardiovascular effects focus on extracts from the leaves. However, experts advise against consuming soursop extracts and teas due to safety concerns and potential for adverse effects.

A safe approach is to consume the fresh fruit in moderation as part of a balanced diet, after removing the seeds. This provides vitamins and minerals without the risks associated with concentrated supplements or teas.

You should see a doctor if you frequently experience palpitations, or if they are accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting, as these can be signs of a more serious condition.

Yes, proven methods include stress reduction techniques (yoga, meditation), avoiding stimulants (caffeine, nicotine), and maintaining proper hydration and electrolyte balance through diet.