Guava belongs to myrtle family. It is a tropical fruit and easily available in the market. It is an inexpensive fruit but highly rich with nutrients. The main type is the Apple Guava, which is grown in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Guava is a culinary dream and used for sauces, juices, candies and desserts.
Not only the fruit (Guava), but its leaves and barks can also provide you with numerous benefits. It is one of the richest sources of vitamin C which three times more than daily requirement. Because of its high nutritional value, it is considered one of the healthiest fruits.
Nutritional facts:
Guava is high energy fruit that is powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. It has healthy composition of dietary fiber that is essential for body and can be derived from food sources only. Compared to pineapple, Guava contains three times more protein, four times more fiber and 30 calories. These are the excellent sources that make it a ‘super fruit’.
Guava fulfills about 20% of our daily Vitamin B requirement. It is not produced in the body and is essential for DNA repair synthesis. It further contains Vitamin A content which is about 21% of daily RDA and 628% of Vitamin C that makes it a special choice.
Similarly, it makes up for vital nutrition in the form if Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium and Phosphorus. With all the nutrition that it requires, guava hardly contains any fat.
Benefits of Guava for Health:
1) Diabetes Friendly:
Guavas prevent the development of diabetes as it has rich fiber content and low glycaemic index. While glycaemic index inhibits a sudden spike in sugar levels, the fiber content ensures the sugar levels are well regulated.
2) Reduces risk of cancer:
“Lycopene, quercetin, vitamin C and other polyphones act as potent antioxidants which neutralize free radicals generated in the body, prevents from the growth of cancer cells. Guava’s have been successful in reducing prostate in cancer risk and also helps in curing from breast cancer.
3) Improves Eyesight:
Due to presence of vitamin A, Guava is well known for boosting the vision health. It doesn’t only prevent eyesight from degradation, but also improves it. It further helps in reducing the appearance of cataracts. Even though guavas are not as rich in Vitamin A as carrots, they are still a very good source of nutrient.
4) Helps in development of baby during pregnancy:
Guavas contain Folic acid, or vitamin B-9, which is recommended for pregnant women since it helps in developing the nervous system of the baby and protect the newly born baby from neurological disorders.
5) Helps in weight loss:
If somebody wants to shed few pounds, Guava is the best way to do so. Without compromising intake of proteins, vitamins and fiber, guava helps in losing weight by regulating metabolism. Especially raw guava, which has far less sugar as compared to apples, oranges, grapes and other fruits.
6) Increases Immunity:
Guava is an excellent source of Vitamin C which is water soluble which means it is washed out of the body through excretion and thus needs replenish every day. Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant and increases immunity system of our body. It is known as development resistant in the body against common diseases like cold, cough and flu.
7) Helps in digestion:
Vitamin A encourages digestion and good digestive health, Vitamin C and high fiber which are present in guava. It helps in preventing constipation and cleanliness of digestive tracts. The astringents in guava clean the stomach and intestine which declines the growth of bacteria and microbes. It vanishes off stomach infections and symptoms of dysentery and gastroenteritis. Additionally vitamin C and vitamin A in guava also flushes out the impurities from the body and helps in maintaining good digestive health.
8) Regulates Blood Pressure levels:
Potassium in guavas helps in normalize blood pressure levels. A banana and guava contain almost same amount of potassium. If intake of guava is done in proper way and with proper intervals of time it helps in curing blood pressure problems.
9) Cholesterol free and low in carbohydrates:
Another reason that guava is such a great fruit is that it helps in effective weight loss, as it is free of cholesterol and very low digestible carbohydrates. It is one of the best fruits to keep in your diet when you want to intake fewer carbohydrates. Being cholesterol-free, it protects you from many diseases, including heart diseases.
10) Effective remedy during Dengue Fever:
An effective remedy to treat dengue fever is Guava juice. Guava juice at thrice a day shows effective results.
For one fruit Guava has wide range of advantages that affect everything from your triglyceride, cholesterol levels to your digestive system. So, it does not only help you in losing weight effectively but also benefits your health in many ways.