Guava

The potential health benefits of guava include its ability to help in preventing cancer, regulating blood pressure, and treating diarrhea. It also aids in weight loss, improves the skin, treats cough and cold, constipation, dysentery, and scurvy.

What is a Guava?

Guava is a sweet and delicious fruit cultivated in tropical climates. This seasonal fruit, scientifically known as Psidium guajava, is round or pear-shaped and is light green, yellow or maroon in color when it ripens. It has a white or maroon flesh, depending on its type, and has small hard seeds enveloped in its soft, sweet pulp. The common types of guava include apple guava, yellow-fruited cherry guava, strawberry guava, and red apple guava. It is mostly eaten raw (ripe or semi-ripe) or consumed in the form of juice, jams, and jellies.

Guava’s believed to have originated from Mexico or Central America. It is now very popular in Asian countries and is also increasingly available in American countries, particularly after its health benefits have been revealed.

What makes guava special is that increasing the shelf life of this fruit does not require excessive use of chemicals or pesticides as in the case of grapes, apple, and other “exotic” fruits. It is one of the least chemically treated and sprayed fruits.

Guava Nutrition Facts

This popular fruit is a powerhouse of nutrients. Guava is a good source of energy, dietary fiber, and vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, thiamine, and riboflavin. It also contains essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and potassium.

Health Benefits of Guava

If the traditional adage says that, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” in Europe and America, the phrase can be probably changed to, “a few guavas in the season keep the doctor away for the whole year,” in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world where they typically grow. Let’s find out why;

Prevents Cancer

One of the most important benefits of adding guava to your diet is its ability to inhibit the growth and metastasis of cancerous cells. There have been numerous studies done in recent years on guava’s effects primarily on prostate, breast, and oral cancers. Guava leaf oil acts as an antiproliferative and has actually proven to be more effective than some leading modern medicines in reducing cancer cell growth. Guavas are also rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that can reduce prostate cancer risk. The same antioxidant has also shown its efficacy in inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells, though more tests are to be done to support this finding.

Antioxidant Properties

The naturally high content of vitamin C in guavas, which is four times higher than the content found in oranges (the traditional vitamin C powerhouse), helps boost the immune system. Antioxidants are the major lines of defense against the proliferation of free radicals in the body, which are one of the main causes of serious conditions like cancer and heart diseases. Therefore, adding guava to your diet helps you stay healthy.

Controls Diabetes

The intake of guava can also help patients suffering from diabetes. High level of dietary fiber in it helps lower blood glucose levels in the body. Studies have shown that consuming it can help prevent the appearance of type-2 diabetes.

Improves Eyesight

Guava is an extremely good source of vitamin A, which is well known as a booster for vision health. It can help slow down the appearance of cataracts, macular degeneration, and improve the overall health of the eyes. It helps protect the cells in your eyes and can also prevent deterioration of eyesight.

Regulates Blood Pressure

Guava helps reduce cholesterol in the blood and prevents it from thickening, thereby maintaining the fluidity of blood and reducing blood pressure. Studies have shown that the food that lacks fiber (such as refined flour) adds to blood pressure. This fruit, being very rich in fiber and hypoglycemic in nature, helps reduce blood pressure.

Improves Thyroid Health

Guava is are a good source of copper, which is important for regulating metabolism by helping to control hormone production and absorption. The thyroid hormones play a significant role in energy regulation and metabolism in the body. So guava can help maintain your health in many ways.

Treats Scurvy

Guava can outdo many fruits, including orange and other citrus fruits, in terms of its concentration of vitamin C. A  deficiency of vitamin C can cause scurvy and the only known remedy for this dangerous disease is proper intake of vitamin C. In fact, guavas contain 4times more vitamin C than oranges, which are often heralded as the absolute best source of that beneficial vitamin.

Eliminates Diarrhea & Dysentery

Guava has astringent properties that help treat a number of digestive disorders like diarrhea and dysentery. Whether you chew guava leaves or eat a raw guava, the astringent qualities add substance to loose bowels and reduce the symptoms of diarrhea. These astringents are alkaline in nature and have disinfectant and anti-bacterial properties, thus helping cure dysentery by inhibiting microbial growth and removing extra mucus from the intestines. Furthermore, other nutrients in guava such as vitamin C, carotenoids and potassium, strengthen the digestive system while simultaneously disinfecting it. Guava is also beneficial in treating gastroenteritis for the same reasons stated above.

Relieves Constipation

Guava is one of the richest sources of dietary fiber among fruits and its seeds serve as excellent laxatives. These two properties of guava help the formation of healthy bowel movements, aid in retaining water in the body, and thoroughly clean your intestines. It is said that constipation alone can lead to 72 different types of ailments, so any help for constipation is beneficial. Your overall health is affected undeniably by proper digestion, and more importantly, by proper excretion. Frequent consumption of guava can ensure both.

Improves Brain Health

Another tremendous benefit of guava is the presence of vitamin B3 and B6 in them. Vitamin B3 (also known as niacin) can increase blood flow and stimulates cognitive function, whereas vitamin B6 is a great nutrient for brain and nerve function. Eating guava can help relax the nerves and enhance concentration.

Treats Cough & Cold

Juice of raw and immature guavas, or a decoction of its leaves, is very helpful in relieving coughs and colds by reducing mucus, disinfecting the respiratory tract, throat, and lungs, and inhibiting microbial activity with its astringent properties. Guava has one of the richest sources of vitamin C and iron among fruits and both effectively prevent colds and viral infections. In some areas of India, roasted ripe guava is used as a remedy against extreme cases of cough, cold, and congestion. Ripe guava should be avoided by people who are suffering from cough and cold, as it can exacerbate the problem. Also, avoid drinking water immediately after eating a guava as it can lead to a sore throat.

Weight Loss

Guava is very helpful for people wanting to lose weight without compromising their intake of proteins, vitamins, and fiber. As guava is high in roughage, it has no cholesterol and has a low number of digestible carbohydrates. This combination makes a filling snack that satisfies the appetite very easily. Guava, especially the raw one, has far less sugar as compared to apples, oranges, grapes, and other fruits. Add a medium-sized guava to your lunch and you will not feel hungry until evening. Ironically, it can also help lean and skinny people to gain weight. This is probably due to its wealth of nutrients, which regulates the metabolism and promotes proper absorption of nutrients.

Skin Care

Guavas can improve the texture of your skin. They can help you avoid skin problems better than beauty creams and skin toning gels. This is chiefly due to the abundance of astringents available in the fruit (with more astringents present in immature guavas) and in its leaves. Your skin can benefit from either eating the fruits (this helps tighten your muscles apart from your skin) or by rinsing your skin with a decoction of its immature fruit and leaves. It will tone up and tighten the area of loosened skin where it is applied. Guava’s rich antioxidants and detoxifying properties help keep your skin glowing and free from signs of premature aging, wrinkles, and other dermal disorders.

Reduces Oxidative Stress

Guava juice is rich in vitamin C and a number of other important phytonutrients that can help eliminate free radicals and slow down oxidative stress in the body. It is a very popular beverage in tropical and subtropical regions. Furthermore, guava juice can help balance blood sugar, thus lowering your risk of developing diabetes.

Dental Care

Apart from guava fruit, the leaves also have many benefits. The juice of guava leaves has been known to cure toothaches, swollen gums and oral ulcers, and it speeds up the healing process of wounds when applied topically. Finally, it reduces the frequency of convulsions, epilepsy, and bacterial infections.

When consuming guava for medicinal purposes, you must perform your due diligence, and be cautious while adding any new medicinal form of guava to your diet. It is better to stick to eating guava in its natural form as a raw fruit.

Uses of Guava

Guava leaves are used in the preparation of herbal medicines to treat several diseases like diarrhea, diabetes, infections, and obesity. The leaves of guava have been an important constituent in folk medicines as these contain palmitic acid and palmitoleic acid. Intake of guava seeds also helps treat common problems like constipation and other gastrointestinal issues. It works as laxatives as it contains a lot of dietary fiber. It can help bulk up your stool and will pass through your system without any problem.

Guava FAQs

What is a Guava?

A guava is a tropical fruit that is found most often in tropical and subtropical areas and is rarely grown in temperate climates. With the scientific name of Psidium guajava, this fruit is one of many similar species in the same genus, but “apple guava” is the common form found in most markets around the world. They are roughly the size of apples, or are slightly smaller, and some variations are similar to plums in size and shape.

How to Eat a Guava?

• Pick a fresh, ripe guava that does not have any blemishes.
• Wash the fruit under running water.
• Cut the guava into small pieces. If you want you can scoop it out using a teaspoon.
• Enjoy the fruit by seasoning it with salt, pepper, sugar or vinegar.

There are plenty of ways to consume a guava, ranging from juicing the fruit and drinking it as a beverage, slicing it, and putting it on top of ice cream to jams and jellies, or including it in your next veggie or fruit smoothie. Adding sliced guava-cubes to your salad can make a healthy breakfast.

Can you eat Guava seeds?

Yes, you can eat guava seeds without any negative effects. In fact, people intentionally eat the seeds because they help with gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation, because there is a lot of dietary fiber in these seeds. They can help bulk up your stool and will pass through your system without any problem.

What is Guava good for?

Guava helps to protect the immune system, regulate blood pressure, and lower the risk of diabetes. It further helps strengthen the digestive system. Due to the unique and high concentrations of minerals and vitamins, guava can also help increase energy, relax the nerves, and decrease the number of stress hormones in the body.

How to grow Guava?

If you live in a tropical or subtropical region, growing your own guava tree actually isn’t that tough. Guava trees respond very well to mulch, so clear out a 2-3 inch space in the soil where you can plant the tree. Then, water the tree once a week and fertilize the tree once a month. Adding more mulch is required, but the tree should grow rather quickly. Thinning out excess branches can also promote more growth.

How many calories does Guava contain?

One of the best things about guava is the low level of calories – only 38 calories in an average fruit. Given the impressive amount of minerals, vitamins, and phytonutrients that are found in guava, this low-calorie count is what so many people love about this fruit. It can provide energy and the nutrients needed to get through the day, without increasing the number of calories.

What to do with Guava?

Guava should be halved and then the fibrous center and the seeds can be removed. The seeds can be saved and used later as a stomach cleanser. The fruit can then be used as a topping or eaten raw, made into candies or jellies, or blended in a fruit/vegetable smoothie. Alternatively, guava can be juiced, making a delicious and healthy beverage.

Where does Guava come from?

Guava comes from the guava tree, a species native to Central America and Mexico. These fruiting trees actually come in many different species, but all of them do best in tropical or subtropical regions. Since guavas have been found to not only be delicious, but also highly beneficial to human health, these fruits have been exported all over the world, but guava cultivation and consumption is still centered in the tropics.

Where to buy Guava Leaves?

If you live in tropical or subtropical areas, they are available at most markets and health food stores. However, in temperate regions or areas without guava trees, you can purchase them in bulk from apothecary stores, Etsy, and other online distributors. Guava leaves are also sold in tea leaf format and can be purchased in most places that sell tea, herbs, and health supplements.

Word of Caution: As a fruit, guava is safe to consume. However, medicines that have a huge concentration of guava may not be suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is always better to eat the fruit in its natural form and if in the form of medicine, consult your doctor.

 

guava is really good for helath..it has got several helth benefits ...it is caled as apple of the poor...it can help control blood pressure and diabetes..

Agave nectar is one-and-a-half times sweeter than table sugar, so to get the most weight-maintenance benefit from this trendy food, you need to use less than you would if you were using sugar. "A

I just love guava fruit especially the unripe. I want to share my experience that if you are suffering from dry cough then do eat guavas because it is helpful in curing cough.

does guava and guapple has the same health benefits?

guava and figs are my most preferred fruits but I am always afraid to eat too many of them due to possible high pesticide use. So you say "...does not require excessive use of chemical pesticides as in the case of grapes, apple..." can you provide reference for that and if so im going right now to the grocery store to buy their entire stock!

I live in the Philippines. CIrcumcission at age 12 for boys is a summer rite of passage. Its done with a knife blade by a traditional healer. While the healer is preparing, he's chewing on guava leaves. Right after circumcission, out comes the guava leave paste (from a mouthful of bacteria) and on to the newly circumcised organ. No infections ever. Philippines has a population of 100 Million, this practice has been going on for hundreds if not thousands of years. We can't all be wrong 🙂 And, yes, guava is used to treat gastro infections/bacteria/parasites here. The small native guavas are the best. There are large ones known as "Guapples" that look a bit like granny smith apples that are exported but it's the small apricot-sized ones that are really powerful. Good luck and good health to you all!

Wow! Lots of information to remember. I love it. Thank you. ..

I am 58 years sugar & blood pressure patient. my organ is not become strong since last two years. How can I use the guava leaves for these problems?

Nathan 12:21 pmOctober 11, 2015

I had no idea. I am having one for breakfast right now. The kind available at the supermarket here in Virginia Beach, Virginia, have very hard seeds, harder than I remember when I was a child. I was going to stop buying them, but after reading this article I think I will add them to my regular diet.

I have grown three guava trees in my compound.Canal water improved the quality of fruits and trees are laden with fruit. They are sweet and soft when removed on being fully ripe. Birds are a nuisance. Found a successful treat for diarrhea.

ginger 2:10 pmApril 12, 2015

Does anyone know where you can buy guava seed extract? I'm trying to locate some here in Australia but am happy to buy this online from an overseas supplier if necessary.

Rhonah Kintu 5:48 amFebruary 23, 2015

K 9:21 pmMarch 3, 2015

Unexceptional things in guava that people dint know....thjnks to give such a great information. !

Meenakshi Nagdeve 3:18 amJanuary 19, 2015

excellent article ...........

Excellent.

For the past several weeks I've been eating guavas for five days a week.I'm happy to learn of the nutritional values in guavas. I will try the leaves at some point,

Darrenalexa05 4:02 amDecember 4, 2014

Guava leaves are excellent in treating skin rashes as well. Base on my own experienced, I have skin rashes all over my arms, tummy and thighs. I tried using hydrocortizone for couple days and hoping my rashes would go away, but it didn't. My skin rashes got worst, so I decided to see a doctor. My doctor prescribed me some antihistamine pills and some steroidal cream. I used this for a week, but it doesn't do anything. I went back to my doctor again and then she gave me another prescription (more doses). I used it for 2 weeks and my skun rashes starting to heal. I stop using the medicine coz I thought my skin rashes are gone. Then, a couple days after, my skin rashes are back and it become worst that it peeled my thighs skin. I rushed to the doctor again and they said they don't know what's going on. They told me to see a dermatologist. I said, it's gonna be hard on my part because I am a student and don't have health insurance yet. Then, I called my mom and told her what's goin on and told me to try boiling a young guava leaves and apply it on affected areas. I told to myself, "okay, I'm going to give myself 2 weeks to use this and if I'm not healing, -suck it, I'm going to see a dermatologist. I boiled young guava leaves, let the temperature cool down and I applied it religiously on my skin. I would say, it is a miracle! A week and a half, my skin went back to normal again! It's amazing how the creation of God heals us in a very mysterious ways.

Meenakshi Nagdeve 1:14 amOctober 21, 2014

I'm a Diabetic patient though I'm taking my maintenance medications my blood sugar reaches to 200 - 215 two hours after eating, I've been eating Guava since a long time its one of my favorite fruit! But lately, I noticed that even after eating a heavy meal the level of my blood sugar was 96 or 106. I really don't know if it's from guava. As of now I'm still observing my blopd sugar level in relation to Guava but I'm happy for the result.

Altex lan 6:54 pmMarch 22, 2017

so, guava can help reduce blood sugar just like CUCUMBER. INTERESTING.

amm nakakatulong na din ang guava sa atin

Informative, however the info seem to conflict at some points.

Guava trees are very good sources to have year round fruits to eat, the leaves are great for making green tea. chewing leaves if having stomach problems or diarrhea, the best medicine guava leaf. 🙂

i eat guavas everyday and i agree with its benifits it is an astonishishing

fruit

i eat guavas everyday and i agree with its benifits it is an astonishishing food

Good information for me who has opted to grow Guavas on 10 Acres.

at Zinga one of the Islands in lake Victoria in Uganda.

yes they are! even eating leaves raw leaves freshens your mouth and gives that refreshing sense