Health Benefits of Guava

The health benefits of Guava is one of the best known herbal remedies to various diseases. Guava is an edible fruit that has sweet taste with different variety of colors from green to red.  It can be consume raw, processed as jam and make juice out of its leaves.

Guava is one of the folk medicines that are used especially in subtropical areas around the world because of its many pharmacological benefits not only the fruit but including the leaves, bark and roots which is in present have already tested by researcher and proved its numerous health benefits and is now commercially available.

However, for those pregnant and lactating mothers, avoid using guava through various herbal and alternative medications. Instead eat guavas in their natural form as much as possible.

They find out that Guava leaf extract has anti-hyperglycemic or anti-diabetic effects which is good for diabetic patients. Even though little amount of this component is present in the leaf extract, Japan and East Asia used this as treatment for diabetes.

The following are the elements behind this guava that makes it a super fruit:

• Vitamins are plenty in guava such as, vitamin A, E, K and B6. Among of them, vitamin C is abundant in guava compare to oranges. It strengthens immune system, supports faster healing process and prevent in developing scurvy.
• Vitamin A improves vision and maintains healthy mucus membrane and skin;
• With vitamin E, skin will be more nourished because of its astringent property.
• For brain enhancement, guava is rich in vitamin B complex specifically vitamin B3, promotes proper circulation thereby stimulates brain function and vitamin B6 or pyridoxine, supports nerve and brain function
• It contains Carotenoids and pholyphenols that serves as antioxidant that protects from cell damage and fight against free radicals.
• A good source of minerals specifically Potassium that is vital for metabolic functions and responsible for heart conduction.
• Copper is necessary for bones and tissue and helps in breakdown of enzymes.
• It has an ability to eliminate cholesterol because of its fiber content and enhances weight loss.
• Guava is good source of folate which contains fertility- promoting properties that is helpful to the women who has a fertility problem.
• In addition to that, it has anti allergic effect and anti asthma. The leaf extract has ability to relief common colds and cough by reducing the formation of mucus, disinfects the respiratory tract and prevents bacterial activity in the throat.
• Pink Guava fruit has doubled amount of lycopene (5204 µg of lycopene) than tomatoes which is known to be an anti-cancer agent and avoids total skin damage from UV rays.
• Finally, according to study, the active component of guava leaves extract in inhibiting the alpha-glucosidase enzymes that prevent the breakdown of carbohydrates and provides a short- term glycemic control;
• Reduces the postprandial blood glucose elevation after ingesting guava for diabetic clients.

NUTRITIONAL FACTS:

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:
Guava (Psidium guajava),  fresh,
Nutritive Value per 100 g.
(Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)