Guava- Health Benefits
Guavas are found in the tropics, and invoke
images of vacations, summer parties and island life, but this tasty
fruit is more than a celebratory food. Guavas are bursting with healthy
vitamins and minerals and can be used to treat many serious ailments.
You can recognize guavas by their yellow, green or maroon skins and
creamy white or pink pulp.
1. Weight loss and gain
Guava is a winning fruit for its many great benefits. If you’re trying
to lose weight, guavas are not a fruit you need to give up. In fact,
this snack-sized fruit can satisfy your appetite while adding few
calories, low amounts of carbohydrates and no cholesterol to your diet.
Also, compared to other fruit, it adds a low dose of sugar.
Guavas also offer a great source of vitamins, proteins, roughage, fibers
and minerals. For lean people trying to gain weight, this fruit is also
beneficial as it promotes the healthy absorption of nutrients and its
substantial nutrients regulate one’s metabolism.
2. Blood pressure and Diabetes
Guavas are hypoglycemic and rich in fiber, which help reduce blood
pressure. Dietary fibers maintain the blood’s fluidity and prevent it
from thickening, which can worsen blood pressure. Foods lacking in fiber
(for example refined flour) increase blood pressure because they
convert to sugar more quickly. Guavas can help fight or even prevent
diabetes. The fiber regulates the sugar being absorbed by the body and
the risk of high spikes and drops in the body’s insulin and glucose
levels is reduced.
3. Diarrhea, dysentery, and gastroenteritis
The abundant astringent (substances that contract body tissue) makeup of
raw guava and guava leaves helps loosen the bowels and reduce the
symptoms of diarrhea and gastroenteritis. Being highly alkaline, the
guavas act as a disinfectant, removing excess mucus from the intestines
and inhibiting microbial growth. For these reasons, guavas can also be
used to treat dysentery. The guavas’ plentiful supply of vitamin C,
carotenoids and potassium can also boost your digestive system.
4. Thyroid health
A good substance for regulating the thyroid’s metabolism is copper,
which guavas have plenty of. The thyroid glands regulate important
hormones and organ system functions, which helps maintain a healthy
balance in your body.
5. Healthy brains
Also present in guavas are high amounts of vitamins B3 and B6. These
both have benefits for the health of your brain. B3, which is also
called niacin, is known to help increase blood flow and stimulate
cognitive function, while B6 helps preserve normal nerve function.
6. Scurvy
Guava is your best source for vitamin C. In fact, it has four times the
amount of vitamin C found in oranges, which are regarded as the go-to
food for this vitamin. The concentration of vitamin C can prevent
scurvy, a disease caused by a deficiency of this vitamin.
7. Constipation
The seeds of guavas, either ingested whole or chewed, are excellent
laxatives. In addition to the fruits' substantial amount of dietary
fiber, guavas are advantageous for treating constipation. These two
sources cleanse your intestines and excretory system and help your body
retain water, helping you achieve healthy bowel movements. Frequently
snacking on guavas, then, can be beneficial for proper digestion.
8. Colds and coughs
Drinking the juice of guavas and fresh guava fruit helps in fighting
colds and coughs. The astringent quality can lessen mucus, disinfect the
respiratory tract, throat, and lungs and reduce microbial activity. The
substantial amounts of iron and vitamin C in guavas also help treat
viral infections. It’s advised to avoid eating overly ripe guavas when
you have a cold or cough, as they can actually aggravate them.
9. Eyesight
The considerable quantities of vitamin A in guavas are extremely
beneficial for the health of your vision. This helps slow down macular
degeneration, the growth of cataracts, and can even improve one’s
eyesight deterioration once it has begun.
10. Cancer prevention
Guava is also valuable in your diet as a preventative measure against
cancerous growths and metastasis. The high levels of an antioxidant
called lycopene has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer and
inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. Guava leaf oil is another
anti-proliferative extract from the guava plant that has proven
effective in reducing cancer growth.
11. Skincare
Guavas are also fantastic at improving skin texture and keeping your
skin looking fresh. Guavas are full of astringents, particularly in
fresh fruit and the leaves of the plant. If you rinse your skin with a
guava decoction, the fruit can tone and tighten areas of loose skin.
Eating the fruit also provides a rich source of vitamins A, B, C, as
well as potassium, which are excellent antioxidants and detoxifiers.
They can keep your skin glowing, prevent premature aging and wrinkles,
and can speed up the healing process of wounds.