Health Benefits of Guava
Guava is a fruit with a fine blend of strong sweet, captivating fragrance and it comes with a lovely taste that spring one’s taste bud to life. This fruit has many edible tiny hard seeds. For some of us, we cannot pass up an opportunity to indulge in a sumptuous treat of guavas eaten with chaat masala, murabba and other delicacies.
This delicious fruit with a strong sweet aroma is called a mood in Hindi. Guavas most likely have originated from Central America. It is known in that part of the world as ‘sand plum.’ A fruit richly desired not only for its ability to give the taste bud a treat of a lifetime but for its many health and nutritional benefits. This fruit is jam-packed with many healthy nutrients Lycopene, vitamin C antioxidants that contribute to the general wellbeing and in the skin.
It contains other essential minerals such as manganese, folate, potassium and other minerals that improve health. According to Dr.Manoj K. Ahuja such a banana and a guava contain almost the amount of potassium, it keeps the body well hydrated since the fruit is made up of 80% water’. The following are vital details about the health benefits of guavas.
Guava for Health
- Immunity Booster
One vitamin that aids the body’s defenses against infections and diseases is vitamin C. Most people think oranges are the richest sources of vitamin C, but that is not true, hence their popularity. Did you know that guavas’ vitamin C content is four times that of oranges? Yes, with an adequate intake of Vitamin C, the body’s immune system will be fortified against common infections.
- Lowers Risk of cancer
Aside vitamin C, guavas are rich in Lycopene, a very powerful antioxidant effective in the removal of free radicals from the body. Like quercetin and other polyphenols, lycopene as well as vitamin C useful for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells in the body. According to Dr. Manoj K Ahuja, “guavas have shown to be widely successful in reducing prostate cancer risk and also inhibit the growth of breast cancer since it is rich in lycopene”.
- Diabetes-Friendly
Guavas are good for the prevention of diabetes. It has high fiber content and a low glycemic index. These properties help to prevent any sudden rise in blood sugar levels while ensuring a well-regulated sugar level is maintained in the body.
- Heart Healthy
Guavas contain many nutritional benefits. It helps hypertensive patients maintain a regulated blood pressure because it helps to balance sodium-potassium levels in the body. When it comes to cholesterol levels, it improves good cholesterol (HDL) and inhibits bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides in the blood.
- Treats Constipation
It is reported that a piece of guava adequately supplies 12% of our daily recommended dietary allowance for fiber intake. This makes guava an essential fruit for a well-functioning digestive system. For any having issues with bowel movement, taking guava seeds whole or chewed will help in the formation of healthy bowel movements as the seeds are very good laxatives.
- Improves Eyesight
Guavas contain vitamin A though not in abundant amounts as found in carrots. Vitamin A is known to improve eyesight. It can, therefore, be said that a regular intake guava helps to improve eyesight. It also helps to prevent or inhibit cataract growth and macular degeneration.
- Guavas During Pregnancy
Pregnant women need folic acid or vitamin B-9 which helps unborn babies’ nervous system development and protect newborns from neurological disorders. Guava is a good source of folic acid, so it should be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
- Beats Toothache
Chewing guava leaves is a home remedy for tooth ailments because guava leaves possess anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that can be used to treat infections. It is, in fact, common to see toothaches, oral ulcers, and swollen gums being treated with juice from guava leaves.
- Stress Buster
Magnesium, another nutritional component of guava has a relaxation effect on the body nerves and muscles. Thus, guava can be eaten after a long day’s activity to relieve body stress and to soothe the muscles.
- Good for your Brain
Dr Manoj K Ahuja explains that guava contains niacin and pyridoxine which are important for the circulation of blood from the heart to the brain. These vitamins also relax the nerves and improve the brain’s cognitive function.
- Weight Loss
Guava intake helps the body maintain a healthy metabolism. So without losing out on your intake of other classes of food such as fibres, vitamins and proteins, guava helps you to shed weight easily. It fills the stomach and satisfies one’s appetite. It is also low on sugar unlike fruits like grapes, apples, and oranges.
- A cough and Cold
Guavas are abundant in vitamin C and iron which are known to be efficient in prevention and treatment of flu and viral infections. For the treatment of flu, the juice from guava leaves or raw and immature guavas can be used to cure to a cough and cold because its juice possesses antiviral properties that disinfect the respiratory tract and clears it off mucus.
- Anti-ageing Properties
Regular consumption of guava can help to delay signs of ageing. Guava is rich in antioxidants such as carotene and lycopene (keeps the skin wrinkle-free) as well as in vitamins A and C. All these give the body a youthful look.
- Improve complexion
Guavas contain vitamin K, a vitamin known to rejuvenate the skin by getting rid of skin blemishes such as discoloration, acne irritation, dark circles and redness. The good news is that you can enjoy these benefits too by preparing a homemade scrub.
The scrub can be prepared by adding an egg yolk to a mashed guava flesh. Apply the paste to your face and rinse off with warm water after 20 minutes. Apply this at least once a week. The scrub will exfoliate your skin by removing dead skin cells and tone your skin.
- Improve Texture
Guava leaves and, in particular, unripe guava, possesses astringent properties in high amounts. This means the application of decoction of this fruit and its leaves of the face regularly can firm up the muscles of the face and also tone the skin.
