Guava fruit is an exotic, tropical fruit packed with nutrition and bursting with flavor. It is one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world, with its popularity spread across many cultures.
Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, guava is a superfood that can be enjoyed in many ways. Its juicy flesh can be eaten raw, added to various meals and snacks, or preserved in jams and jellies. Its unique flavor and aroma make it a favorite among chefs and health enthusiasts.
In addition, Guava fruit is a powerhouse of nutrition that can help to support overall health and wellness. Guava fruit, leaves, and barks are used to treat diarrhea, and constipation, reduce high blood glucose levels, reduce high BP, lower the risk of malignancy, and many other medical conditions. This article will discuss some best health benefits of guava fruit.
Why is some guava fruit pink in color while others are white?
Pink guavas comprise Lycopene, a naturally occurring red carotenoid pigment that gives them their characteristic color. In white guavas, lycopene is absent.
Some facts about Guava fruit
- There are few guava varieties in which seeds are totally absent
- Guava has 100 to 500 miniature seeds inside them that are of edible quality
- Guava is s ‘super-fruit because it contains around 4 times more fiber than a pineapple and 4 times more vitamin C than an orange
- Guava has glossy, dark green leaves that are elliptical or oval in shape.
- Guava starts to produce fruit about 2 to 8 years after planting.
- Guava has smooth, rust-colored bark that’s sometimes used for decorative purposes.
Nutrition Facts – Guava fruit
According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), 100 grams (g) of raw guava fruit comprises:
- Calories – 68
- Vitamin A – 12% (624 international units of vitamin A)
- Vitamin C – 380% (228.3 mg)
- Sugars – 8.92 grams
- Carbohydrates – 14.32 grams
- Potassium – 417 mg
- Dietary fiber – 5.4 grams
- Vitamin B-6 – 5%
- Magnesium – 5%
- Fats – 0.95 grams
- Protein – 2.6 grams
Health benefits of Guava fruit
Immunity Booster
Guava fruit is rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C safeguards your body from pathogenic agents and several infections. It boosts and strengthens the immune system and plays a crucial role in keeping your eyes healthy. It’s also reported that guava fruit has antimicrobial benefits, which aid in killing off harmful bacterial and viral agents that can result in infections.
Because of its rich vitamin C content, the guava fruit also safeguards against viral infections, thereby preventing cough and cold. Guava fruit juice or decoction of fruit leaves efficiently eliminates infectious agents and builds up mucus due to cough and cold and disinfects the throat, lungs, and the entire respiratory tract.
It may aid in reducing high blood sugar levels.
Guava fruit is low on the GI (Glycemic Index), which makes it a diabetes-friendly fruit. While the low GI inhibits a sudden increase in blood sugar levels, the fiber content regulates diabetic conditions. Eating without the peel regulates blood sugar and improves blood pressure and serum lipid parameters.
It may boost heart health.
Potassium and soluble fiber-rich guava fruit are beneficial for improving heart health. Guava leaf extract effectively lowers ‘bad’ Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increases ‘good’ High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, thereby maintaining blood pressure.
Since high levels of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and high blood pressure increase heart failure or stroke risks, consuming guava leaf extract could contribute valuable benefits.
Lowers risk of malignancy (Cancer)
Guava fruit contains vitamin C and polyphenols like lycopene, gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, kaempferol, quercetin, and luteolin. These serve as potent antioxidants that inhibit the growth of any malignant cells by neutralizing free radicals generated in the body.
The fruit is also beneficial in lowering the risks of prostate cancer in males and breast cancer cells in females because of being rich in lycopene (the most powerful antioxidant in guava fruit).
Treats constipation
Guava fruit acts as an efficient laxative being rich in dietary fiber, and this characteristic makes it highly beneficial for gut health. It is effective in improving bowel movements and preventing the problem of constipation. When eaten with seeds, the fruit offers roughage to you and facilitates the smooth evacuation of the bowels.
It may help relieve painful symptoms of menstruation.
Guava leaf extract helps reduce the symptoms of dysmenorrhea (Cramps and pelvic pain with menstruation) common in women. It is also helpful in alleviating uterine cramps.
Supports Your Microbiome
Rich in potassium and fiber, regular consumption of guava juice helps detox the gut and supports your microbiome. The acidic properties of guava and antioxidants like vitamins A and C eliminate all the toxins and waste products from the stomach and flush out impurities.
Stimulates cognitive function and improves and stimulates brain health
Guavas are rich in vitamin B-3 (niacin acid) and vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), which boost your brainpower. These nutrients relax the brain nerves, boost cognitive function and enhance blood circulation to the central nervous system.
The potassium content in the guava fruit aids in stimulating the central nervous system’s electrical conductivity, which is of paramount significance for enhancing thinking and recalling capacity.
It nourishes the skin and can help address skin ailments like scurvy
The Vitamin E content, antioxidants, and astringents present in the guava fruit nourish the skin and help address diseases like scurvy. The antioxidants and vitamin C content also protect the skin from sun damage, slow aging, and help prevent wrinkles.
Improves Eyesight
Guava is power-packed with vitamin A, a booster for vision health. Vitamin A content in Guava fruit slows down the progress of the disease in which there is vision loss (macular degeneration). It also aids in slowing down the clouding that builds in the eye’s lens, negatively affecting normal vision (medically termed as a cataract).
Maintains oral health
Leaves of guava fruit are magical for preventing any oral health issues. The leaves possess anti-plaque properties which fight infection and kill mouth germs. They are also anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-analgesic.
These properties help alleviate gum inflammation and cleanse and refresh your breath. Guava leaves also serve as a remedy for toothaches, mouth ulcers, and swelling in the gums. Two tender guava leaves, if chewed daily, will work wonders for improving oral health. Mouthwash can also be made using guava leaves.
Guava fruit provides women with essential nutrients during pregnancy
Guava fruit benefits pregnant women by offering them necessary vitamins and nutrients like vitamin B-9 or folic acid (iron). Folic acid aids in making the baby’s nervous system strong and safeguards the fetus from any neurological disorders.
Guava fruit is very good for skin health.
Antioxidants (like carotene and lycopene) and vitamins present in the guava fruit and the leaves are very good for skin health. They prevent wrinkles, treat acne, dark spots and pimples, spider veins, rosacea, and splotches, slow down the aging process improves complexion by infusing it with freshness and radiance.
Antioxidants aid in neutralizing free radicals (oxygen-containing molecules with an uneven number of electrons) that can cause damage to the skin cells. The vitamin C in guava makes the loose skin firmer by stimulating collagen and elastin production. Some other benefits include the following;
- Improves skin complexion
- It helps tone up and tighten the facial muscles because of its astringent properties
- .Protects from harmful UV rays
- It works as a natural skin toner
- Hydrates your skin (since they are made of percent water)
- It removes blackheads and itchiness
Rinsing skin daily using a concoction made of raw guava leaves and fruits improves skin health. Even the seeds of the guava fruits serve as excellent exfoliators that eliminate dead cells and other impurities, offering an even skin tone.
It arrests hair loss.
Nutrients in guava fruit (fiber, potassium, vitamins A, B, and C, copper, manganese, phytochemicals, and flavonoids) are suitable for hair health and aid in hair loss. These nutrients nourish your hair roots, help build hair strands, and strengthen the scalp, making them stronger.
Guava fruit also regulates thyroid health.
Guava is rich in copper (Cu). Copper stimulates the release of the thyroxine hormone T4 and inhibits the over-absorption of thyroxine hormone T4 in the blood tissues by maintaining the body’s calcium levels. The Copper in guava fruit regulates the thyroid and organ system function by controlling hormone production and absorption.
Guava also comprises potassium (K) and powerful anti-inflammatory agents that enhance thyroid function. Guava fruit being rich in fiber and containing fewer fats also supports weight loss and reduces fatigue.
How to Eat Guava?
Munch it whole or slice it
Guava fruit can be munched as a whole or cut into slices, and a delicious treat can be made from it. The scoops of the fruit seasoned with salt, sugar, and soy sauce also can be eaten as a savory.
Juice it
A Guava smoothie with a spritz of lime juice makes it a great punch drink. The liquid is delicious as it keeps you hydrated, especially during the sweltering summer heat. Potassium and Vitamin C present in the juice constantly disinfect the gut keeping it healthy.
Do the salsa
Chunky cubes of guava fruit mixed with honey and lime juice and tossed in some cilantro can be served as a salad with chips or relish. It makes excellent salsa.
Read the tea leaves
Guava tea leaves contain unique antioxidants that serve as a remedy for several ailments. The leaves are boiled in water, and you can add sugar, honey, or even stevia (a calorie-free sweetener) to enhance the tea flavor.
Jam it
Guava fruit is used in making pies and jams because the fruit is power-packed with pectin (a thickening compound used in jellies and jams). The fruit in jams is excellent on toast, with meat, or in wraps.
