We often look for supplements and chemically formulated packaged products in search of staying healthy. But often miss out on the blessings we receive from nature. Such a precious gift of nature is the guava fruit. While all those guava benefits have not been noted to date it did act as the powerhouse of antioxidants.
Other than assisting in weight loss, guava fruit benefits immunity boosting, and reducing stress. Check out what are the benefits of eating guava, its nutrient composition, and more from the article.
What is Guava?
Guava is a round or oval-shaped green/ yellow (in ripe form) fruit coming with a distinct but appealing fragrance and flavor. The seeds of guava are also edible and the flesh varies from light red to white. There are immense benefits to eating guava as it acts as a powerhouse of rich antioxidants, lycopene, and vitamin C. The Latin American region knows the fresh fruit as sand plum which they use in multiple recipes. Jams and jellies made out of sweet smelled guava benefit in bringing unique charm to your face and skin.
Nutritional Value of Guava
Now that you know what is Guava, know the nutritional value of the Guava fruit. For every cup of guava juice, it comprises
- Carbs: The carbohydrate value of guava juice is as high as 24-25 grams, along with the presence of naturally occurring sugar (15 grams approx.) and free from starch.
- Vitamin and Minerals: Guava juice benefits your health with its rich source of minerals and vitamins. The fruit contains potassium, a high content of beta-carotene and folate, and a rich presence of vitamin C.
- Fats and Protein: Guava is not a great fruit in terms of trans fat or fat. Only a smaller proposition of unsaturated fat is there in the fruit, 1.6 grams. Comparatively, the protein constituent is higher is approx. 4 grams.
So, the overall benefits of eating guava are reflective of its nutritional value. While the fruit contains a higher share of carbs and protein, it has a lesser presence of the fat element.
10 Health Benefits of Guava Fruit
Now, you must be curious about what are the benefits of eating guava! Have a little patience as we have summarized the top ten health benefits of the round fruit. Those are:
1. Good for your Heart!
Your heart is the prime determinant of your overall health. Here’s the good news, guava benefits your heart immensely. The presence of enriched vitamins and antioxidants protects your heart from free radicals.
Not only vitamins but potassium in Guava boost the health of your heart. It controls the LDL cholesterol so that the recipient won’t become the victim of frequent heart attacks and strokes. What it does is, reduce the LDL level and increase the HDL or good cholesterol level.
2. Helps Reduce the Blood Sugar Levels
Records prove the benefits of eating guava in terms of lowering the blood glucose level for a longer time. You can also eat the guava leaves for controlling blood sugar as it acts as insulin resistance. So, the important role of fruit in lowering the risks of diabetes naturally can’t be overshadowed.
You can also grind the guava leaves and make its leaf extract tea to lower your blood sugar level. So, don’t forget to take a cup of guava leaf tea after your meal to see the magic effects.
3. Powerful Comforter During Menstrual Cramps
The cramps experienced while in menstruation are indeed painful and such dysmenorrhea symptoms are relieved after eating guava. Specifically the leaves of the fruit work as a comforter for menstrual cramps. But such a pain-relieving effect doesn’t function in one day. You have to intake 6 mg of the leaves every day and witness the healing effects.
4. Improves your Digestive System
What people face the most about their health are the problems arising out of your disturbing digestive system. The fiber constituent within the guava fruit benefits in working your digestive system better and softens or solidifies the stool accordingly. So, if you have either diarrhea or constipation, guava can act as a solution to both of your problems.
Many of us also suffer from IBS also known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBS leads to irregularity in our excretion process or digestive malfunction. Guava can cure such digestive disorders too.
5. Stimulates the Immunity System
As shared already, you already know how rich the vitamin C constituents are within Guava fruit. Vitamin C is a great immunity stimulator that ultimately helps protect your body to resist chronic and pathogen-induced diseases. It also repairs the damaged body cells in the process. The risk of long-term severe diseases such as cancer and arthritis can also be lessened after taking guava daily.
6. No Wrinkles and Prevents Premature Aging
Green fruit as we all know is an active antioxidant source. If you are leading a stressful life, chances are high that you start aging earlier than others. Symptoms like wrinkles, stretch marks, and dark circles become usual. Guava juice benefits in preventing wrinkles and shields your skin from potential UV rays invasion. It brings a unique glow to your natural skin.
7. Maintains Oral Hygiene
Those who are suffering from gum disease such as pyria will find guava leaf extract paste helpful. First of all, it prevents bad breath, and secondly, it is overall healthy for your mouth. The green leaves contain anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial analgesic properties which would soothe the toothaches. So, organically you can use the leaves for periodontal diseases.
8. Works on your Skin Complexion
Even though not scientifically proven, many people do consider taking guava to improve their skin complexion. Your skin remains tight maintains freshness and gradually boosts your complexion. You can also use guava extracts on your skin similar to an ointment to witness the desired results. However, those who are allergic to any tropical fruit must consult the doctor before consuming guava.
9. Known Good for your Cognitive Ability
Guava leaves or the fruit itself has a higher proportion of vitamins B3 and B6 which is perfect for your cognitive ability. Not only it build on better memory power and helps you to remember anything for a longer time. Also, featuring guava regularly would be beneficial for your mental health. The chances of dementia, depression, anxiety, or other cognitive ailments decline gradually. It contains organic sugar which is good for the brain cell and eases the blood flow.
10. Get Relief From Common Cold
Even though there’s no registered study on humans as of now. Studies on rats show guava fruit benefits in reducing the frequent chances of catching the common cold and coughing. It also relieves your throat to an extent. The water extracts of the guava leaves would help in boosting your immunity from cough and cold problems.
Weight Loss Benefits of Guava Benefits
Many of you must be thinking, what are the benefits of guava in maintaining a healthy body? Don’t feel offended because we have presented something interesting in the below section.
One of the main reasons why any health-conscious person should eat guava is because it’s a weight-loss-friendly fruit. The fiber content of the fruit is quite high which makes it a low-calorie fruit at the same time. But that does not mean you are losing any important nutrients because guava is filled with vitamin and mineral elements.
So, does guava help in weight loss? Of course, this is due to the enriched presence of fiber in the nutrient value. Fiber would delay your digestion process and help you stay full and less repetitive frequently. Even if you crave something, when your stomach is full you would resist taking high fat-induced food naturally.
Guava Leaves for Weight Loss
There’s no factual claim to assert whether the leaves of guava fruit benefit from weight loss. However, if you go through the nutrient value of guava leaves like the possession of gallic acid, quercetin, and catechin, we can come to some conclusions. These antioxidants would confront oxidative stress which would indirectly prevent weight gain.
Therefore, guava leaves for weight loss claims might not be proven, but it does help in maintaining a healthy body.
Guava Benefits During Pregnancy
Without any second thought, Guava fruit is good for pregnancy for sure. Needless to say, tropical fruit is higher in nutrient value and protects you from any kind of health hazards.
- Direct Benefits of Eating Guava During Pregnancy
Guava fruit benefits in improving fertility and throughout the pregnancy cycle it would support you. To support the fetus inside to grow naturally, the expecting mothers would require the passage of a higher share of nutrients like folate, vitamin C, and protein. So, having whole guava (approx. 165 grams) would substantiate the 20% daily need for folate and enough vitamin C daily.
- Indirect Benefits of Eating Guava During Pregnancy
Other than directly supporting your fetus to grow inside, guava also smoothers the digestive system. Dietary fiber reduces the probability of constipation and prevents the chances of acid reflux and poor digestion during pregnancy. Guava juice benefits in losing weight as weight gain is a common problem during pregnancy. Also, complicated high blood pressure symptoms are regulated if you regularly eat guava.
The increasing folate content would assist in reducing spinal deformities and any other developmental conditions.
Are There Any Side Effects of Guava During Pregnancy?
The side effects of guava during pregnancy have not been recorded as such. However, overeating guava may show indirect implications. Particularly, if you often take raw guava it will cause diarrhea. It is so because the laxative content of the fruit is higher which may lead to loose still when overeaten.
Other than that, nowadays you will hardly find any fruit from chemical preservatives. Similarly, the chemical content within the fruit may harm the baby in the long run. Guava if contaminated by bacteria can also affect the fetus.
Side Effects of the Guava Fruit and Leaves
The list of benefits of eating guava is quite large but that does not mean it’s free from the possible side effects.
- Guava juice benefits are enormous. However, those who are allergic to tropical green fruit may feel nausea or stomach pain.
- Though there are fewer side effects of the fruit, the leaf extract may make eczema worse. The chemicals within the leaves would cause irritation and itchiness.
- Eating too much guava would make your body feel bloated due to the high dose.
- Not a stable resistor for diabetic patients. Even though guava benefits in lowering blood sugar levels. However, it can make a diabetic patient collapse if the sugar level is not checked regularly.
- Guava is not at all friendly to surgery procedures. Post-surgery, guava interferes with blood sugar control and worsens the bleeding. So, it’s suggested not to have the fruit at least for 14- 20 days after any surgery.
The Way Out!
Regardless, guava fruit benefits are endless. The fruit acts as a natural immunity booster, maintains healthy blood sugar levels, controls body weight, and also is great during pregnancy. The nutrient value of guava is satisfying given the higher share of vitamins, minerals, carbs, and fiber.
However, it’s always safer to balance everything in your intake. As has been mentioned above, overeating guava may not be safe during pregnancy or after any operation. So, take three to four slices of guava a day to enjoy the richness of the fruit free from any side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) on Guava Benefits
Answer- No recorded study states that guava helps in reducing weight. However, the presence of antioxidants like gallic acid, catechin, or quercetin fights against oxidant stress and in a way contributes to losing weight.
Answer- There are no scientifically registered disadvantages of guava found to date. However, guava would worsen the eczema conditions. If you are having a toothache, eating raw guava would intensify your pain. Also, the overdose of guava would make you feel bloated. Pregnant women must have immense guava juice benefits. Guava in raw form or juice does help in solving problems like constipation, maintains the blood sugar level, and acts as an antioxidant which reduces oxidant stress. The infused nutrients are also healthy for the fetus’s growth.
Answer- Anyone who is allergic to tropical fruits should not eat guava without consulting doctors. Other than that if you are recently released from any surgical operation, eating guava would interfere with the healing process by controlling the blood sugar level. So, don’t eat guava in such cases.
