Do you know that guava trees can produce fruits twice in a season in places where the climatic conditions are right, and can also live for 40 years?
This tropical fruit has a yellow or green peel. The inner pulp of guava fruit comes in pink and white colors. You will be surprised to know that this fruit has a myriad of health benefits, and is packed with vitamin, and minerals.
Nutritional Value of Guava Fruit:
Guava is packed with nutrients. Its slices can be taken as snacks and added to salad. One bowl of guava contains immense calories, proteins, and fiber. It offers 628% of daily values of Vitamin C. Just like apples, it should be consumed with the skin, which contains higher concentration of Vitamin C. Guavas also help fight against infectious diseases that causes serious illnesses.
It also contains potassium which is essential for regulating heart rate and blood pressure.
Health Benefits of Guava:
Few of the surprising Guava health benefits are listed below:
1. Immunity Booster:
- One medium sized guava is packed with two times the daily requirement of Vitamin C and strengthens immune system
- Eating guava daily can fight against common infections and pathogens
2. Antioxidants:
- Guavas are rich in Vitamin C content and therefore boost the immune system in antioxidants
- Protecting antioxidants can help defend against serious conditions like cancer and heart diseases
3. Cancer Prevention:
- It has the ability to hinder the growth of cancerous cells and prevent prostate, breast cancer, and oral cancer
- Guavas are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that can reduce the risk of prostate cancer
4. Diabetes-Friendly:
- The intake of guava can help prevent Type-2 diabetes
- Dietary fiber in guava can help diabetic patients and regulate the sugar absorption, and decrease chances of glucose imbalance
5. Heart Healthy:
- Consume guava leaves to reduce blood pressure levels and cut the risk of heart strokes
- Drink guava brewed tea to cut levels of cholesterol
6. Treats Constipation:
- Guava contains dietary fiber which can aid in better digestion
- Its seeds contain potent laxatives allowing individuals to treat constipation
7. Improves Eyesight:
- Guavas are rich in Vitamin A and help to improve eye vision
- Its intake can slow down cataract formation, and reduce muscular degeneration
8. Guava during Pregnancy:
- Nibbling on guava can relieve from constipation problems common during pregnancy
- Guavas are rich in Vitamin B9 and folic acid. This helps protect the newborn from neurological disorders
9. Beats Toothache:
- Guavas contain folate which can prevent bad breath and gingivitis
- Its natural astringent acts as a remedy for toothache, and oral ulcers
10. Stress-Buster:
- Guavas has magnesium content that can soothe body muscles and nerves
- Intake of guava can help combat stress and boost energy levels
11. Scurvy:
- Intake of guavas can help to fight diseases like scurvy
- Its high concentration of Vitamin C are a known remedy for treating scurvy
12. Good for Brain:
- Guava has rich presence of Vitamin B3 and Vitamin B6 that help to stimulate brain function
- Eating guavas can increase brain function and sharpen concentration
13. Guava for Weight Loss:
- Guava does not contain cholesterol and are low in digestible carbohydrates
- It is a filling snack and can satisfy the appetite
14. Cough and Cold:
- The juice of guavas can be helpful to relieve coughs and colds
- It can disinfect the respiratory tract, throat and lungs with its astringent properties
15. Treats Diarrhea and Dysentery:
- Guavas can help loosen bowels and reduce diarrhea symptoms
- Its disinfectant properties can treat dysentery by removing excess mucus from intestines
16. High blood pressure:
- Guava reduces cholesterol and maintains blood fluidity to reduce blood pressure
- It is rich in fiber and hypoglycemic, and therefore reduce blood pressure
17. Lowering Blood Sugar:
- The guava peels are edible and can aid in increasing insulin concentration and lowering blood sugar
- Drinking guava juice can help to balance blood sugar levels
18. Dental Care:
- Guava juice can cure swollen gums, toothaches and oral ulcers
- It reduces the frequency of bacterial infections
19. Relieve Menstruation Pain:
- Consuming guava pulp mixture with milk and honey without the seeds, can help reduce menstrual pain
- Alternatively, try guava infused tea to get equal relief
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20. Digestion:
- Guavas serve as excellent laxatives to help in the formation of healthy bowel movements
- Just one guava contains rich sources of fiber, making it really beneficial for digestive health
21. Thyroid:
- Consuming guava can help one to maintain a good thyroid health
- Guavas contain copper and can help to regulate the thyroid metabolism
22. Dengue Fever:
- Drink guava juice thrice a day to treat dengue fever and fight the dengue virus
- Guava leaves can increase the number of platelets up to 100 thousand millimeters per cubic
23. Balancing Electrolyte:
- Guavas can be a great to snack before or after workout sessions because they are rich in fiber and contribute in balancing the electrolyte in the body
- Guavas can restore the lost potassium reserve, thus maintaining the balance in electrolyte
24. Guava for Skin Care:
- Mash guava pulp with egg yolk and apply on face to reveal improved complexion.
- Guava can help fight against free radicals to keep the skin glowing and prevent ageing signs like uneven skin texture and sagging skin.
- Mash few guava leaves and apply the smooth paste onto face to reduce dark spots and acne.
- Guava comprises of 80% water, and therefore keeps skin hydrated.
25. Guava for Hair Care:
- Mash guava leaves to make a paste and apply on the scalp. It can help to combat with hair loss problems.
- Its rich nutrients can easily treat scalp related problems to get long healthy hair.
How to Select and Store? Selection and Storage:
Selection:
- Guavas are available in several varieties such as Chinese Guava, Strawberry, Apple, Mountain Guava and Lemon.
- It is available all year round in tropical regions.
- Guavas with red flesh are more nutritious compared to green apple guavas.
- Guavas develop a fruity fragrance upon ripening.
- Select guavas that do not have cuts or patches on their skin.
- Choose the firm varieties while buying pink guavas. And choose guavas that are blemish-free while purchasing white Thai guavas.
Storage:
- Guavas can be stored at room temperatures for several days.
- While mature green guavas lasts for two to five weeks, when kept at regulated temperature.
- Wrap the guava in a paper with other fruits like apple or banana to speed up ripening process.
- Refrigerate fully ripe guavas for it to last longer.
- Ripe guavas can be stored in plastic bag or container. Refrigerate for few days.
- Store unripe guavas in a plastic bag or container. It can last for two weeks.
- To make guavas last longer, cut it and store it in a freezer container. Use a light syrup over it.
Guava Usage Tips:
Guavas are undoubtedly the most nutritious fruits. There are different varieties of guavas that are available in distinct flavor. Before consuming guavas, make sure to wash them properly. It has edible skin and seeds which contains rich amounts of Vitamin C. Here are few tips to enjoy this seasonal fruit.
- Guavas are popularly used as an ingredient for making refreshing cold drinks or beverages.
- Guavas are used for making jelly because of their rich content of pectin. Take the juice of half ripe guavas, and hibiscus flowers to make jelly. It can also be used for making butter, marmalades, and jams.
- Use guava slices topped with sugar and cream and take as salad. Also, cut a guava in half and sprinkle with few drops of lime juice, and consume the flesh and seeds using a spoon.
- To make a refreshing juice, take two or three guavas, sugar, ginger, and cold water. Peel the guavas; add sugar, ½ inch of ginger and cold water. Blend it well. Filter out the seeds and add ice cubes.
Guavas can be used for preparing a relishing dish. Cut big pieces of two apples and two guavas. Melt two tsp of ghee in pot, and then add 3 cloves, and 3 cinnamon pieces.
Roast 10 to 12 raisins and 4 to 5 cashew nuts for two minutes. After that, add the guavas and apples. Leave it to cook for few minutes. After that add 2 tsp red chilli powder, 1 ½ tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp coriander seeds powder, and cumin seeds powder. Add salt and sugar to taste.
Starting right from the top of the human body the guava health benefits travel all the way down. A super food for the human brain guavas enhance the health of human mind. From improving eyesight, to enhancing the skin and hair guavas are certainly instrumental in lifting your appearance naturally. Stimulating both effective weight loss and weight gain, one small guava will help you maintain those envious curves. Considering its medicinal properties guavas play their part in preventing and improving chronic ailments like Cancer, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and also Thyroid. Guavas health benefits extend in relieving and improving conditions during acute cold, dengue fever, diarrhea and dysentery, toothaches and constipation.
You can eat it raw, or drink it like a refreshing beverage or use it as a key ingredient in your salads and meals and give your body all the wholesome goodness it deserves.
4 comments
How many guavas should we take a day?
It is a fact that an adult should about 1.5-2 cups of fruit on a daily basis. Since guava is a fruit, the same goes to it too.
Are pink guavas good for health?
Pink guavas are a low-calorie, rich-fiber fruit that also assist in lowering of cholesterol levels. It treats a number of problems like constipation, cold, cough and diarrhoea.