Do You Know the Top Ten Incredible Health Benefits of Guava?

Guava can be considered as one of the super fruits due to its unique flavor, fragrance, and the numerous health benefits it offers. It indeed is a powerhouse of nutrients. It has abundant vitamin C, lycopene, and antioxidants that are needed for good health.

Guava is helpful in treating diarrhea, constipation, dysentery, cough, cold, skin problems, high blood pressure, overweight, and scurvy.

This humble fruit has a mild flavor that is loved by everyone. It is a common fruit seen in Asian markets. It is either round or pear shaped, available in light green, yellow, or pink color outer skin when it is ripe. There are two varieties of guava, one variety has white flesh inside when ripe and the other variety has pink flesh inside. However, both the varieties contain numerous tiny and hard seeds inside. People make jams and jellies using guava fruits. Guava can be eaten raw or semi-ripe or ripe. We sprinkle salt and pepper powder on the guava fruit slices for enhancing the taste. It is also helpful for preventing the throat itching allergy associated with semi-ripe or ripe guava. Elderly people eat guava daily for preventing constipation and for easy bowel movements.

Note: Guava is the one fruit that is least chemically treated compared to the other exotic fruits like apple, sapota, and grapes.

Guava Leaf Drink Recipe by my mother: My mother used to pluck a few tender leaves of guava plant. She sauteed it in butter or ghee with some cumin seeds and pepper. Then ground it with a teaspoon of grated coconut and buttermilk. She added a pinch of salt for taste. She added water or buttermilk for getting the flowing consistency. We used to drink a cup of this soup-like dish which is considered to have many medicinal benefits. Normally my mother used to make this dish during summer to beat the heat.

There are many surprising health benefits of guava that are listed below.

1. Weight Loss:

Guava is very helpful to those who want to lose weight and also does not want to compromise their intake of proteins, vitamins, and fiber. Raw guava has less sugar content than the ripe one. It is less sweet compared to fruits like apple, grapes, and other similar fruits. Eating guava makes you satisfied and filled. If you eat medium-sized guava during lunch, you will not feel hungry until the evening. This way you can cut down eating junk snacks. Ironically, it is good for weight gain also. As this fruit has many nutrients, it helps in keeping a good metabolism and helps in the absorption of nutrients. For this reason, people who are lean and thin can also consider eating this fruit for weight gain purposes.

2. Diabetes:

As guava is packed with a high level of dietary fiber, it helps to regulate the absorption of sugar by the body which decreases the risk involved with the change in the variation of blood sugar level in the body. Studies have shown that guava can help in preventing the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

3. Vision care:

It is a well-known fact that vitamin A is good for your vision. Guava is an excellent source of vitamin A. It promotes vision health and also helps to prevent cataract, macular degeneration, and promotes the general health of eyes.

4. Prevents Cancer growth:

One of the most celebrated and important benefits of including guava in your diet is the ability to inhibit the cancer growth and metastasis of cancer cells. Guava has been considered most effective on the prostate, breast, and oral cancers. It is rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that is known to be successful in reducing prostate cancer risk. The same antioxidant is believed to be responsible for inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells. Guava leaf oil is proved to be more successful than certain leading modern medicines in reducing cancer growth.

One more advantage is, guava contains a high level of vitamin C which is about six times higher than the vitamin C found in oranges. Vitamin C gives a boost in antioxidants that in turn provides a boost in the whole immune system. Antioxidants are considered to act a major role in defending against the proliferation of free radicals in the body which are the main causes of serious issues like heart disease and cancer growth.

5. A remedy for Scurvy:

Guava has an abundant amount of vitamin C, about six times more vitamin C than oranges. Scurvy is caused by vitamin C deficiency. The only powerful and effective remedy for this dangerous disease is guava.

6. Diarrhea and dysentery:

Guava is a rich source of astringents. Astringent is the compound that makes your gums feel fresher and tighter. Chewing a few tender guava leaves or using a brush made of the guava leaves or eating raw guava gives a similar effect. This quality of guava is also helpful in reducing diarrhea and in inducing loose bowels. Nutrients in guava such as vitamin C, carotenoids, and potassium strengthen and tone the digestive system. It also disinfects the digestive system from the microbial growth and helps to remove extra mucus from the intestines.

7. Thyroid Health:

It is also a good source of copper that is important for regulating thyroid metabolism by controlling hormone production and absorption. This gland is considered one of the main glands that control the functioning of the organ system and hormones in the body. This way guava can help balancing your health in many ways.

8. Excellent for easy bowel movement:

Guava contains plenty of dietary fiber in guava fruits, mainly in the seeds. If you chew or ingest the seeds, it serves as excellent laxatives. It helps in healthy bowel movements and also helps in retaining water in the body. It helps in cleansing the intestines as well as the whole excretory system. Constipation is bad for health. It is said that constipation alone can lead to 72 different varieties of illnesses. Hence, any help in reducing constipation can aid in good health. Overall health gets improved due to proper digestion and proper excretion. Eating guava regularly provides you these benefits.

9. Brain Health:

Another wonderful benefit of consuming guava comes from the presence of vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B6 in it. Niacin can increase blood flow and stimulates brain function. B6 is known to be good nourishment for brain health and nerve health. Hence, eating guava improves your brain functions and also boosts attention span.

10. A remedy for a cough and cold:

A decoction made of raw guava leaves is very helpful in relieving common cold and cough. It reduces the mucus and clears the respiratory tract, throat, and lungs; also prevents the microbial activity. The iron and vitamin C in the guava help in preventing the viral infection.

Ripe guava is to be avoided by people suffering from cold and cough. It is advised not to drink water immediately after eating a guava, as it can lead to a sore throat.

Other benefits: There are plenty of other benefits of eating guavas, such as skin health, hair care, reduction of blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, etc.

Hair health: If you rinse hair with a paste made of raw guava or guava leaves, it strengthens your hair and gives silky and shiny hair.

As a skin toner: Skin can benefit by eating guava fruits regularly or by rinsing the skin with a decoction made from immature fruits and leaves. It tones up and tightens the loosened skin where you apply it.

As it contains vitamins A, B, C, and potassium which are good antioxidants and detoxifiers that keep your skin glowing and free from signs of premature aging, wrinkles, and other dermal disorders.

Reduces high blood pressure: Guava being rich in fiber and hypoglycemic in nature, helps in reducing blood pressure. It makes the blood flow freely in the vessels and prevents cholesterol formation.

There are numerous health benefits to eating guavas. It helps to protect the prostate. The juice of guava leaves helps to cure toothaches, oral ulcers, and swollen gums. If externally applied, it heals the wounds fast. Regular eating reduces the frequency of epilepsy, bacterial infections, and convulsions. There is absolutely no harm in eating them in natural form, as they are natures' gift to humankind. However, while eating it in medicinal form, take a due care to know about the dosage and the possible effects of consuming it.

Reference: www.organicfacts.net