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Guavas are low in
calories and fats but contain several vital vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant
poly-phenolic and flavonoid compounds that play pivotal role in prevention of
cancers, anti-aging, weight loss, controlling blood sugar, immune-booster
etc. The
fruit is very rich source of soluble dietary fibre (5.4 g per 100 g of fruit,
about 14% of DRA), which makes it a good bulk laxative. The fibre content helps
protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time to toxins as well
as binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon.
Fresh guava-fruit
is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin-C; provides more than three times
the DRI (daily-recommended intake). Outer thick rind contains exceptionally
higher levels of vitamin C than central pulp.
Scientific
studies shown that regular consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps body
develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge cancer causing
harmful free radicals from the body. Further, the vitamin is required for
collagen synthesis in the body. Collagen is the main structural protein in the
body required for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs, and
bones.
The fruit is very
good source of Vitamin-A and flavonoids like beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein
and cryptoxanthin. The compounds are known to have antioxidant properties and
are essential for optimum health. Further, vitamin-A is also required for
maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits
rich in carotene is known to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
Studies suggest
that lycopene in pink guavas prevents skin damage from UV rays and offers
protection from prostate cancer. Fresh fruit is a very rich source of potassium; contains more
potassium than banana per 100 g of fruit weight. Potassium is an important
component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood
pressure. It
is also a moderate source of B-complex vitamins such as pantothenic acid,
niacin, vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin E and K, and minerals like magnesium,
copper, and manganese. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the
antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Copper is required in the production
of red blood cells.
Weight loss: Guava is very helpful for those who want to
lose weight without compromising their intake of proteins, vitamins and fibre.
Guava is very high in roughage and rich in vitamins, proteins and minerals, but
it has no cholesterol and a low number of digestible carbohydrates. It is a
very filling snack and satisfies the appetite very easily. Guava, especially
raw guava, also has far less sugar as compared to apples, oranges, grapes, and
other fruit. Adding a medium-sized guava to your lunch and you will not feel
hungry again until the evening. Ironically, it can also help with weight gain
in lean, thin people. This is probably due to its wealth of nutrients, which
keep the metabolism regulates and helps to promote the proper absorption of
nutrients.
Diabetes: In a related benefit to blood pressure mentioned
above, an intake of guava can also help those patients who suffer from
diabetes. The high level of dietary fibre in guava helps to regulate the
absorption of sugar by the body, which decreases the chances of major spikes
and drops in insulin and glucose in the body. Studies have shown that consuming
guava can help prevent the appearance of type-2 diabetes.
Eyesight: Guavas are extremely good sources of vitamin A,
which is well known as a booster for vision health. It can help slow down the
appearance of cataracts, macular degeneration, and general health of the eyes.
It can not only prevent degradation of eyesight, but even an improvement in
eyesight once it has begun to degrade.
Cancer Prevention: One of the most celebrated and important
benefits of adding guava to your diet is its ability to inhibit the growth and
metastasis of cancerous cells. There have been numerous studies done in recent
years on guava’s effects primarily on prostate cancer, breast cancer, and oral
cancers. Guava leaf oil is extremely successful as an anti-proliferative
substance, and has actually been shown to be more effective than some leading
modern medicines in reducing cancerous growth. Guavas are also rich in
lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to be wildly successful in
reducing prostate cancer risk. That same antioxidant has also shown to inhibit
the growth of breast cancer cells, although further human trials need to be
done.
Finally, the naturally high levels of vitamin C in guavas,
which are four times higher than the levels found in oranges (the traditional
vitamin C powerhouse), provides the immune system a huge boost in antioxidants.
Antioxidants are the major lines of defence against the proliferation of free
radicals in the body, which are one of the main causes of serious conditions
like cancer and heart disease. Therefore, adding guava to your diet has
numerous ways in which it helps you stay health and cancer-free.
Scurvy: Guava can outdo many other fruits, including orange
and other citrus fruits, in terms of its concentration of vitamin C. A
deficiency of vitamin-C can cause scurvy, and proper intake of vitamin C is the
only known remedy for that dangerous disease. In fact, guavas contain 5X more
vitamin C than oranges, which are often heralded as the absolute best source of
that beneficial vitamin.
Diarrhoea & dysentery: Guava is very rich in astringents
(compounds that make your gums feel tighter and fresher). After you chew guava leaves, eat a raw guava,
or use some guava-based toothpaste), your mouth feels healthier, and the
astringent qualities also add substance to loose bowels and reduce symptoms of diarrhoea.
These astringents are alkaline in nature and have disinfectant and
anti-bacterial properties, thus helping to cure dysentery by inhibiting
microbial growth and removing extra mucus from the intestines. Furthermore,
other nutrients in guava such as vitamin C, Carotenoids and potassium,
strengthen and tone the digestive system while simultaneously disinfecting it.
Guava is also beneficial in treating gastroenteritis for the same reasons
stated above.
Thyroid Health: They are a good source for copper, which is
an important part of regulating thyroid metabolism by helping to control
hormone production and absorption. The thyroid gland is one of the most
important glands in the body for regulating hormones and organ system function,
so guava can help balance your health in many ways.
Constipation: Guava is one of the richest sources of dietary
fibre in terms of fruit. Its seeds, if ingested whole or chewed, serve as
excellent laxatives. These two properties of guava help the formation of
healthy bowel movements, and aid the body in retaining water and thoroughly
cleaning your intestines and excretory system. It is said that constipation
alone can lead to 72 different types of ailments, so any help with constipation
is beneficial. Your total health is undeniably affected by proper digestion,
and more importantly, proper excretion. Frequent consumption of guava can
ensure both.
Brain Health: Another of the tremendous positive benefits of
guavas is the presence of vitamin B3 and vitamin B6. B3 (also known as niacin)
can increase blood flow and stimulates cognitive function. B6 is a great
nutrient for brain and nerve function. Therefore, eating guava can help you
increase brain function and sharpen you focus.
Cough & cold: Juice of raw and immature guavas or a
decoction of its leaves is very helpful in relieving coughs and colds by
reducing mucus, disinfecting the respiratory tract, throat and lungs, and
inhibiting microbial activity with its astringent properties. Guava has one of
the highest quantities of vitamin C and iron among fruits, and both are proven
to be preventive against colds and viral infections. In some areas of India,
roasted ripe guava is used as a remedy against extreme cases of cough, cold,
and congestion. Ripe guava should be avoided by people who are suffering from
cough and cold, as it can exacerbate the problem, and one should also avoid
drinking water immediately after eating guava as it can lead to a sore throat.
Skin care: Guavas can improve the texture of your skin and
help you to avoid skin problems more than even the highest ranked beauty creams
or skin toner gels. This is chiefly due to the abundance of astringents in the
fruit (more astringent is present in immature guavas) and in its leaves. Your
skin can benefit from either eating the fruits (this helps tighten your muscles
apart from your skin) or by rinsing your skin with a decoction of its immature
fruit and leaves. It will tone up and tighten the area of loosened skin where
you apply it. In addition to the astringents, guava is very rich in vitamin A,
vitamin B, vitamin C and potassium which are good antioxidants and detoxifiers,
which keep your skin glowing and free from signs of premature aging, wrinkles
and other dermal disorders.
High blood pressure: Guava helps reduce cholesterol in the
blood and prevents it from thickening, thereby maintaining the fluidity of
blood and reducing blood pressure. Studies have shown that food lacking fibre
(such as refined flour) add to blood pressure, due to its quick conversion to
sugar. Guava, being very rich in fibre and hypoglycaemic in nature, helps
reduce blood pressure.
Other benefits: There
are so many health benefits of guava, it is hard to know where to begin. It is
important to know that guava helps control diabetes and protects the
prostate. The juice of guava leaves has
been known to cure toothaches, swollen gums & oral ulcers, and the juice
speeds up the healing process of wounds when applied externally. Finally, it
reduces the frequency of convulsions, epilepsy, and bacterial infections
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