Last Updated on October 12, 2020
The tropical guava fruit is delicious treat that both kids and adults will enjoy eating. Depending on its ripeness and variety, it can be tangy or sweet.
The crunchy texture is reminiscent of a pear and the core, which contains hundreds of seeds, is somehow a mixture of both creamy and firm.
Guavas are just some of the least-chemically treated fruits in the world due to its hard, waxy skin which deters insects. This fruit is highly recommended for seekers of organic produce. In most tropical countries, it is not uncommon to see children plucking guavas off trees and eating it right away.
The guava plant is originally found in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. They were later cultivated in the southern parts of the United States, Asia, and in the tropical parts of Africa.
Guavas are partial to warmer climates and will bear fruit all year round. As a crop, the guava found itself as a source of daily nutrition and an important ingredient in Ayurvedic, Asian, and African medicine.
Guava sprouts and mature leaves are also often used to aid common ailments and are common first aid treatment for stomachaches, diarrhea, and wounds.
Rich in Vitamin C and carotenoids, this household cure in Asian countries was examined to confirm its uses and benefits.
Relieves Common Aches and Ailments
In places where guavas are abundant, children are often encouraged to eat as much as they can. The fruit is loaded with Vitamin C and can deliver twice or four times as much as the recommended daily intake.
There is no danger to Vitamin C toxicity since it is water-soluble and any excess is excreted via urine. A strong immune system can ward off symptoms of colds, fever, sore throat, and scurvy, and Vitamin C, a known antioxidant, is essential in boosting the immune system.
Toothaches and stomach aches can be relieved by chewing young guava leaves or drinking tea from steeped guava leaves. A sore throat due to bacterial or viral infections can also be relieved by the antimicrobial properties of guava leaves.
An herbal gargle made from guava leaves targets harmful bacteria in the mouth and throat and may also help control bad breath.
Guavas are also very rich in magnesium, a mineral essential in maintaining homeostasis or internal balance in the body. Magnesium relieves people from stress, anxiety, aching joints and muscle pain.
Guava leaves in warm bath water or a foot soak can be soothing to the body. Others also place crushed guava leaves on injuries and aching joints, then wrap a bandage over the area to help the skin absorb the magnesium.
Treat Skin Conditions
Since guavas have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, they are also effective in treating conditions that affect the skin and scalp.
Skin with acne and folliculitis caused by staph infection can improve greatly with regular topical treatments of guava extract and including guavas in the diet.
Lesions and wounds caused by pimples or other conditions can be treated with guava extracts to keep them from being further infected.
Wounds can be regularly cleaned with water from boiled guava leaves. Guava leaves are a natural antiseptic and produce a soothing effect on itchy, inflamed, or damaged skin.
Some Asian treatments use guava extracts to promote skin rejuvenation and to slow down the effects of aging. The Vitamin A in guavas is activated to transform into retinol, which stimulates blood flow to give the skin a rosy glow, improve acne, and reverse sun damage.
Vitamin E, a vitamin that our body cannot produce on its own, is also found in the guava fruit. Vitamin E is widely used in skin care to reduce UV damage and nourish the skin.
Several types of Vitamin B and Zinc are also present, and these two are often consumed together to help the skin recover from skin conditions that include acne, eczema, dryness, and rosacea.
Digestive Health
Guavas are packed with dietary fiber. Including this fruit in your regular diet can help with digestion and motility.
A hundred and a half grams worth of guavas will give you 8.9 grams of fiber, which counts for 36% of your dietary fiber needs.
With sufficient daily dietary fiber, your intestinal lining is protected and you can regularly secrete waste and toxins.
A healthy gut helps with proper absorption of nutrients from food which is transformed into energy needed by the body.
A proper metabolism rate also prevents the pituitary glands from releasing too much thyroid-stimulating hormones which can cause a hormonal imbalance when the thyroid is overstimulated.
Guava tea and guava fruits can relieve the effects of diarrhea caused by the consumption of unclean or poorly-prepared food. It can also help you restore energy from a bout of loose bowel movement.
Women’s Reproductive Health
A randomized clinical trial resulted to the conclusion that a drug containing 6mg of guava folium extract can alleviate the pain caused by dysmenorrhea.
Dysmenorrhea, a prevalent menstrual disorder among women of different ages, is caused by exaggerated uterus contractions that can result in either slight discomfort or debilitating pain. Another study successfully proved that guava leaf extracts can lessen contractions and spasms in the uterus.
Pregnant women are encouraged to eat guavas as an additional source of folic acid. Folate or folic acid is one of the most important nutrients a pregnant mother needs to make sure that the fetus develops healthily, with no abnormalities or defects in the nervous system.
A woman ideally consumes at least 400 mcg of folate every day before and during pregnancy through prenatal vitamins. Eating at least 165 grams worth of guava already accounts for 80.8 mcg of folate.
Improves Eyesight
Carotenoids are preset in all fruits and vegetables in varying amounts. There are several types of carotenoids that all contribute to health, but the Brazilian guava alone contains sixteen known carotenoids.
It is common knowledge that food rich in carotenoids is best for improving and preserving vision. Carotenoids strengthen the macula and absorb harmful blue light that can potentially damage the eyes.
Eating guavas regularly can have long-term beneficial effects on the eyes, prevent impaired vision and macular degeneration. Vitamin A is also abundant in guavas and helps protect the cornea of the eyes.
Helps the Heart and Other Vital Organs
Lycopene, another carotenoid present in guavas, is very good for the heart. Lycopene has anti-inflammatory effects and is also an effective antioxidant.
Magnesium has been used in stress management because it can regulate cortisol production in the body. Excess cortisol is produced when a person is under stress, possibly leading to increased blood pressure, inflammation, rapid weight gain, osteoporosis, and muscle weakness.
Guavas can also help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. This is beneficial for people who have or are at risk for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Hypertension, diabetes, and a fatty liver not only affects the corresponding organ in the body; they can develop complications over time that affect other vital organs such as the kidneys and the thyroid gland.
Liver damage caused by anti-inflammatory drugs such as paracetamol is greatly alleviated by ingesting guavas and guava leaf extract. This was found in a study wherein liver damage was intentionally induced and then aided by the silymarin found in guava leaves.
Nutritional Value
The USDA highly recommends the super fruit guava as a regular part of your intake. It has no cholesterol and sodium, and is low in calories and fat.
100 grams of the fruit will give you:
- 68 Kcal of Energy
- 3 grams of carbohydrates
- 55 grams of protein
- 95 grams of fat
- 4 grams of dietary fiber
- 49 µg of Folates
- 084 mg of Niacin
- 451 mg of Pantothenic acid
- 110 mg of Pyridoxine
- 040 mg of Riboflavin
- 067 mg of Thiamin
- 624 IU of Vitamin A
- 228 mg of Vitamin C
- 73 mg of Vitamin E
- 6 µg of Vitamin K
- 417 mg of Potassium
- 18 mg of Calcium
- 230 mg of Copper
- 26 mg of Iron
- 22 mg of Magnesium
- 150 mg of Manganese
- 11 mg of Phosphorus
- 6 mcg of Selenium
- 23 mg of Zinc
- 374 µg of Carotene-ß
- 5204 µg of Lycopene
Conclusion
Due to its unique flavor and colorful appearance, the fruit is very popular among children and adults. You can include it in your diet by eating it fresh, add it to shakes and smoothies, or even add it to savory stews.
The fruit is not the only beneficial part of the guava plant. The leaves are very helpful for common aches experienced by adults and can help in healing wounds and other skin conditions.
The guava is deemed a super fruit due to its high nutritional value. Its high Vitamin C and lycopene content alone can be enough to convince everyone to have it every day whenever possible.
It can support overall health and protect your most important organs. If there is an abundance of guava in your area, make sure to take advantage of this by including it in your diet and using its extract as a first aid cure.