Health Benefits Of Guava Fruit And Leaves

Guavas are tropical fruits that have become popular worldwide for their delicious taste and numerous health benefits. This nutritious fruit has light green or yellow skin and can be oval or round in shape. The edible seeds and vitamin-rich pulp make guavas very healthy additions to one’s diet.

Both the guava fruit and leaves of the guava plant offer medicinal properties that can boost immunity, regulate blood sugar, improve digestion, and more.

Let’s explore the many advantages of incorporating guavas into your lifestyle.

Types of Guava

Many delicious guava varieties exist in India, named for the colour of their skin/ pulp or place of origin. Some popular types include:

• Allahabad Safeda
• Sardar (Lucknow 49)
• Pant Prabhat
• Lalit
• Dhareedar
• Chittidar
• Arka Mridula

For juices, pulps, and purees, manufacturers favour the naturally sweet white and pink guavas. The Indian varieties with higher natural sugar content add taste and sweetness to beverages.

Health Benefits of Guava

1. Regulates Blood Sugar: The powerful antioxidants and fibre in guava can help regulate blood sugar levels. Studies show guava leaf extracts may improve insulin resistance and long-term blood sugar control. Drinking guava leaf tea has reduced blood sugar after meals by over 10% in diabetics. This makes guavas a great choice for managing diabetes.
2. Supports Heart Health: Guavas promote heart health in many ways. The high antioxidant content protects the heart against free radical damage. Guavas also provide potassium and fibre while lowering LDL cholesterol and blood pressure.
3. Relieves Menstrual Cramps:For women who experience painful periods, guava leaf extract may help. Studies show taking guava leaf extract daily significantly reduces the intensity of menstrual cramping pain. The anti-inflammatory effects of guava leaves provide a natural way to ease period cramps.
4. Improves Digestion: With 12% of your recommended daily fibre per fruit, guavas promote healthy digestion and bowel movements. The fibre helps relieve constipation. Additionally, guava leaf extract has antimicrobial effects that destroy bad gut bacteria which cause diarrhoea. This improves gut health and digestion.
5. Aids Weight Loss: At only 37 calories per fruit, guavas make for a delicious, low-calorie snack between meals. Their high fibre content keeps you feeling full, curbing cravings. So, guavas can fit into any weight loss plan without losing out on key nutrients.
6. May Have Anti-Cancer Effects: Test tube and animal studies reveal guava leaf extracts may inhibit or stop the growth of cancer cells. Guavas have very high antioxidant content, which protects cells from damage that can lead to cancer. One test-tube study found guava leaf oil to be 4 times more potent than a leading cancer drug. However, medical research is still ongoing for more conclusive results.
7. Boosts Immunity: Guavas provide over 2 times the RDI for immune-boosting vitamin C. This vitamin helps your body produce infection-fighting white blood cells. Consuming guavas regularly protects against deficiency, ensuring a strong immune system.
8. Benefits Your Skin: The wide range of antioxidants in guavas protects your skin from oxidative damage that accelerates ageing. Guava leaf extracts applied topically may also help treat acne breakouts thanks to antimicrobial effects. So, guavas can nourish your skin from the inside and out.

Benefits of Guava Leaves

In addition to the fruit, guava leaves offer many advantages, such as:

• Promotes Eye Health
  • Contains vitamin A, essential for good vision
  • Supports eye health and sharpens vision
  • Protects against eye problems and damage
• Reduces Stress
  • Has relaxing, anti-anxiety properties
  • Lowers stress hormones in the body
  • Promotes calmness and mental well-being
• Benefits Skin & Hair
  • Antioxidants combat skin damage that causes ageing
  • Antibacterial compounds treat acne and skin issues
  • Stimulates hair growth for thicker, healthier hair
• Helps Stop Diarrhoea
  • Has antibacterial properties that can treat diarrhoea
  • Relieves stomach cramps and loose bowel movements
  • Restores good bacteria in the gut
• Reduces Cholesterol
  • Reduces levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol
  • Raises levels of “good” HDL cholesterol
  • Improves cholesterol profile and heart health

Similar to that of the guava fruit, some common benefits include:

• Improves Digestion
  • Contains antibacterial compounds to promote gut health
  • High in fibre to support healthy digestion and bowel movements
  • Relieves constipation and keeps digestion regular
• Regulates Blood Sugar
  • Helps stabilise blood sugar levels
  • Prevents spikes in blood sugar after meals
  • Useful for diabetics to manage blood sugar
• Boosts Immunity
  • Excellent source of immune-strengthening vitamin C
  • Filled with antioxidants that help the immune system by supporting it
  • Helps in the process of producing white blood cells that help fight infections
• May Reduce Cancer Risk
  • Rich in antioxidants that neutralise cell-damaging free radicals
  • It may help protect against certain cancers
  • Test tube studies show guava extracts inhibit cancer cell growth
• Aids Weight Loss
  • Boosts metabolism to enhance fat-burning
  • Suppresses appetite and overeating
  • Supports weight management efforts
• Alleviates Menstrual Cramps
  • Has pain-relieving and soothing properties
  • Eases cramps and discomfort during periods
  • Makes menstrual symptoms more manageable

 

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