Guava Benefits, Plant Description, Nutrition Value, Regional Names, Uses in various Diseases, Possible Side Effects, Frequently Asked Questions.
Introduction
Fruits are very nutritious for our body. Fresh and dry fruits are beneficial for the good health of our body. Many of these fruits are rich in fiber in addition to containing a variety of ingredients such as Vitamins, Minerals, Anti-oxidant. One of the best fruits rich in various nutrients is Guava.
Health Benefits of Guava
Guava is a nutritious and healthy fruit. Guava fruits as well as leaves are rich in special health benefits. Guava is a plant belonging to the ‘Myrtaceae’ family. The guava plant is grown in the native and global tropical and subtropical regions of tropical America. Guava is rich in nutrients and vitamin C, potassium and fiber. Guava is rich in this remarkable nutrient content and provides many health benefits. The guava leaves are used as herbal tea and supplements are made from its leaf extraction.
Plant description
Guava is a fast growing evergreen shrub tree that can grow up to a height of about 3-10 meters. The tree has a shallow root system. The stems are thin 20cm in diameter, covered with a smooth green to brown peel. Leaves grow in pairs. The leaves are 3-7 centimeters wide, 5-15 centimeters long, rectangular from the elliptical. The leaves are green in color. The flowers are white in color. The fruit is fleshy, weighing up to 500 grams. The skin color of the fruit can be green, yellow, orange, purple. The inner color can be white, yellow, pink or red and purple. Guava fruit tastes sweet, juicy and has a sour seed.
Further this article describes the health benefits of Guava and related things to it.
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Various Regional Names of Guava
- Assamese: Modhuri
- Hindi: Aamrud, Paere
- Tamil: Koyya Pazham
- Malayalam: Perakka
- Telugu: Jamapandu
- Kannada: Seebe, Pyarilhannu, Sibe Hannu,Perale
- Gujarati: Jamrukh, Jam Phal
- Marathi: Perro
- Bengali: Payara
Nutritional value per 100g of Guava
- Energy: 285 KJ (68Kcal)
- Carbohydrate: 14.32 g
- Sugar: 8.92g
- Dietary fiber: 5.4g
- Fat: 0.95g
- Protein:2.55g
- Vitamins
- Vitamin A equive: 31 mcg
- Thiamine (B1):0.06.7mg
- Riboflavin ((B2): 0.0046miligram
- Niacin (B3): 1.084milligram
- Pantothenic acid (B5): 0.451milligram
- Vitamin (B6): 0.11milligram
- Folate(B9): 0.11micrograms
- Vitamin (C): 228.3mg
- Vitamin (K):2.2mcg
- Minerals
- Calcium: 18 milligram
- Iron: 0.26milligram
- Magnesium: 22 milligram
- Manganese: 0.15milligram
- Phosphorus: 40 milligram
- Potassium: 417 milligram
- Sodium: 2milligram
- Zinc: 0.23milligram
- Other constituents
- Lycopene: 5204mcg
Health Benefits of Guava
- Boosts Immunity
Guava is said to be rich in vitamin C and contains four times the amount of vitamin C found in oranges. Vitamin C helps in increasing the level of immunity that prepares your body to fight common infections and germs. Also, more vitamin C helps in good eyesight.
- May reduce the risk of developing Cancer
Vitamin C, lycopene and other types of polyphenols act as antioxidants that help neutralize the body’s infection straining cancer cells. The guava fruit shows the prevention of prostate cancer and prevents the growth of breast cancer cells.
- Helps to manage blood sugar levels
Guava has high levels of fiber and glycemic indicators that help prevent the growth of diabetes. Fiber content controls blood sugar levels from speaking, while glycemic indicators limit your blood sugar to rise briefly.
- Healthy Heart
Guava contains high levels of sodium and potassium which helps the body balance and control high blood pressure in patients suffering from high blood pressure. Guava helps in reducing cholesterol which is one of the primary causes of heart disease. However, this fruit increases the level of good cholesterol and replaces it with bad cholesterol.
- Helps in Constipation
Guava has a higher amount of good dietary fiber than other fruits. A guava a day can provide 12 percent fiber which makes it extremely beneficial for digestive health. It also helps in healthy bowel movements. This reduces your risk of constipation.
- Helps in improving Eyesight
Guava causes vitamin A which helps in boosting a person’s eyesight. Eating guava not only prevents bad eyesight but also prevents you from getting cataract and macular degeneration.
- Anti-stress Agent
Guava is a result of magnesium which helps in relaxing your muscles and nerves. So, this means that after a hard workout or a long day in the office, you just need a guava to relax. This fruit helps you fight stress and gives a good boost to your system.
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- Helps during Pregnancy
The guava fruit benefits pregnant women in such a way that it contains folic acid and vitamin B9 which is recommended for women as it helps to develop the nervous system of the baby and protects the baby from neurological disorders.
- Best solutions for toothaches
Guava leaves have anti-inflammatory functions and antibacterial powers that fight infection and kill germ and help to control toothache in people who consume guava leaves. It is also said that guava leaf juice relieves swollen nerve and mouth ulcers.
- Aids in weight loss
If you are a fitness enthusiast, or if you feel you are on the heavy side, then you will have to eat the guava that helps you lose weight. Guava regulates the metabolism of your body. Raw guava is said to contain less sugar than apples, grapes and oranges.
- Helps in Cold-Cough
Guava is high in vitamin C and iron as compared to other fruits. However, guava proves to prevent you from getting bad colds or any viral infections. Raw guava juice is very beneficial in curing cough and cold. It gets rid of mucus and sterilizes the trachea, throat and lungs.
Guava Leaves Benefits
We all rely on over the counter medicines for simple problems like fever, cold, cough etc. But, don’t forget that the guava leaves are also very healthy. Guava leaves are healthier than their fruit. Here are some benefits of guava leaf which you need to know-
- Helps to treat diarrhea.
- Helps in reducing cholesterol levels.
- Helps in weight loss.
- Helps in controlling blood sugar levels.
- Helps in fighting diseases.
- Helps with good eyesight.
- Used to cure Acne.
- Helps to improve skin structure.
NOTE: The guava leaves can either be boiled in hot water or used to drink or make tea. Any of these will benefit you in many ways.
Uses of Guava
Both unripe and ripe guava are eaten. This fruit is used to make different types of jams, jelly, juices, dips, sweet dishes etc. Guava leaves are used in different ways to treat various diseases. Guava-made food items as well as a variety of cosmetics made from guava available in the market are also used differently in curing diseases and beauty practices.
Side effects of Guava
Eating guava as food can be safe. The extraction of this fruit and leaves is probably safe when used as a medicine for short-term. The extraction of the guava leaves can cause temporary nausea or abdominal pain in some people.
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Warning and Precaution
Pregnant and Breastfeeding: There is not enough reliable information to know whether it is safe to use as a medicine while pregnant or breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and use it with a limited amount.
Eczema: The extraction of guava leaves can make eczema worse. The extraction of guava leaves contains chemicals that can cause skin irritation, especially in people with skin conditions such as eczema.
Diabetes: Guava can lower your blood sugar. If you have diabetes and eat guava, check your blood sugar regularly.
Surgery: Guava can reduce blood sugar. During and after the process of surgery, eating guava can increase blood sugar or higher the risk of bleeding. Stop eating guava at least 2 weeks before the scheduled surgery.
It should be used in the right quantity keeping in view the benefits and disadvantages of guava as excessive use of any product can harm our health. Doctors should be consulted before using guava in curing the disease.
Conclusion
The above article discussed the health benefits of guava and provided the important information you must know. In case of medicinal uses you must consult an expert first (especially, if you have some special health conditions). This information included in the article may benefit you in various ways.
FAQ
1) What is the specialty of guava?
A- Guava is full of nutrients. It has not only more vitamin C than oranges, is rich in other antioxidants of guava, and has many great health benefits. Here are just a few benefits of eating this tropical fruit. One of the main nutrients found in guava is fiber.
2) Where does guava grow?
A- The guava fruit probably originates from Central and South America. While humans have played a big role in its journey, birds and animals are also carrying the guava seeds. Today, guava is grown in Florida, Hawaii and Southern California.
3) What is the use of guava leaves?
A- Various parts of plants including leaves and fruits are used as medicines. People use guava leaves to cure stomach issues and bowel conditions, pain, diabetes and wounds. The fruit is used for high blood pressure.
4) Do the guava trees need more water?
A- Guava does not need water frequently. During hot weather and extended seasons, guava needs deep watering two to three times per month. During winter months, guava is resistant to drought, so water is less needed. Guava has shallow roots that absorb water and nutrients quickly.
5) How long does the guava tree live?
A- When grown from seeds, the guava trees can bear fruit within two years, and may continue to do so for forty years.