What are the benefits of guava?

What are the benefits of guava?

    Guava is an "exotic" fruit produced in warmer climates such as Central America, South America, India, and China.

    Eating more guava can bring us many health benefits, including weight loss, cancer prevention, dental caries prevention, and lower blood sugar levels.

    Studies have shown that guava contains a variety of nutrients such as vitamin A and vitamin B. In addition, it is especially rich in vitamin C. It also contains potassium, folic acid, antioxidants and flavonoids, which are very beneficial for our prevention and treatment.

    Fiber is another very important nutrient in the seeds and flesh of guava. It helps prevent constipation, acne, gastroenteritis and many types of cancer, helping us to significantly improve our health.

From the point of view of the United States, most people have heard of guava, but not many people have tried it personally. Because guava is not as common as apples, pears, and grapes. However, like other plant-derived foods, guava has its unique health benefits in addition to its excellent taste, and these effects are very unexpected.

Guava is a plant of the Myrtaceae family, which is commonly seen as a shaded tree. In Central and South America, guava can grow to more than 30 feet, which means they like the warm climate. In Florida, guava trees are about 20 feet high, which means their growth is inhibited because they can grow taller.

At present, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hawaii, Peru, Mexico, China, India, and the southern tip of the United States all have guava trees. Their trunks are either straight or straight, or many branches form a luxuriant canopy; flowers are like white fireworks that bloom. Small and delicate, surrounded by oval or teardrop-shaped leaves.

Guava has different nicknames in different places of growth (for example, in India, people call it "amrood"), and the appearance is also different. The color of the rind can be light green, pink or white, and the shape of the fruit can be round or Oval (botanists think of berries), depending on the species.

From the inside, each variety generally maintains the same color, with small, edible brown seeds. The taste of guava is sour and sweet, a bit like a pear, and a bit like a strawberry.

But keep in mind that we need to control the amount of fruit we eat every day to ensure that the total fructose intake is below 25 grams (below 15 grams if insulin is tolerated), as this is the recommended recommendation for maintaining optimal health. Involvement.

Guava is used for a wide range of desserts, smoothies, sauces, and unique flavors, but the amount of other ingredients determines whether these foods are good for our health. We must be psychologically prepared. Maybe these foods are delicious and healthy, but they may bring us many health problems, including diseases and dysfunction.

Therefore, just like many other foods, “fresh food” allows us to get the most effective nutritional value. In addition, unlike other exotic fruits, guava rarely sprays insecticides and other chemicals during the planting process.

Nutrients in guava help boost immunity

Guava contains a variety of nutrients essential to the human body. Drinking a cup of guava juice, we can get 21% of the vitamin A recommended daily intake (RDA), 20% of the single potassium intake (compared to the potassium content of a banana), and folic acid.

In addition, the vitamin C content of guava is also significantly higher than other fruits: this ingredient can increase the antibacterial efficacy of guava by 628%, which is why guava is so resistant. Even some people recommend using guava to treat dengue fever.

Compared with other foods, eating the same amount of guava can supplement 20% of folic acid recommended daily intake, while folic acid is not only very beneficial to brain health, but also ensures that the fetal nervous system is at a healthy development level. Because of its nutritional value, guava can help us fight a variety of diseases by boosting our immune function.

For centuries, guava has been used to relieve toothache and treat mouth sores, and the use of guava juice for topical wounds promotes healing. It is said that guava can also be used to treat epilepsy and convulsions, which can effectively reduce the frequency of attacks.

Guava helps improve skin texture, prevent cough and colds

Fiber: One of the most important ingredients in guava contains guar, especially its immature fruit; it can be used to treat acne and make the skin smoother.

To get this effect, we can eat guava, or mash the fruits and leaves of guava, and then wipe the skin with it, which not only helps us tighten pores, but also effectively detoxifies.

In fact, studies have shown that guava is even more effective in this regard than the best-selling lotions, creams and medicated drinks on the market. In addition, guava can prevent wrinkles, delay skin aging, remove dead skin cells and brighten skin tone.

This is mainly due to the various nutrients contained in guava, including vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, potassium, etc., but the most important is the antioxidants contained in it. At the same time, vitamin C combined with biotin also helps to treat hair loss.

For Mexico, South America, India and other regions, vitamin C is one of the reasons why people usually eat guava to prevent coughs and colds; but it is worth noting that this effect is never mature (but not mature) guava Juice extracted, because according to the data, mature guava will aggravate respiratory and cold diseases.

Eating incompletely mature guava not only helps to relieve symptoms such as sore throat, but also reduces respiratory mucus and inhibits microbial activity, thereby controlling the spread of pathogens.

Nutrition Data points out that the fiber content of guava is equivalent to 36% RDA, indicating that guava will help us more effectively remove intestinal waste than other foods. This is very helpful for us to prevent and treat various intestinal diseases, such as constipation and even colon cancer.

Guava has long been a widely recognized folk medicine that can effectively treat diarrhea and dysentery. Fresh guava and its leaves contain some of the ingredients that make you feel the gums "faster" and the mouth is more refreshing. The same is true for the intestines, because these alkaline ingredients have the dual effects of antibacterial and bactericidal.

Dysentery is a disease associated with the growth of microorganisms, and its symptoms can be alleviated by inhibiting the secretion of excessive mucus in the intestine. The vitamin C, potassium, carotenoids and other ingredients contained in guava help to strengthen the digestive system and are very beneficial for treating acne and alleviating symptoms such as gastroenteritis.

At the same time, eating guava can also prevent constipation, in part because guava has a laxative ingredient in the seeds, and it can act as a laxative whether chewed or not.

In addition, the seeds of guava have strong health benefits in other areas. The seeds and seed coats of guava contain a variety of carotenoids, glycosides and other phenolic and flavonoids.

You may have heard a saying - "Death starts in the colon." The reason is that more than 70 diseases are associated with constipation, so it is very important for us to empty the body waste as soon as possible.

In this regard, fiber can play a very good role. It helps to retain moisture in the body and promote intestinal peristalsis, thus accelerating the discharge of all waste.

Not only that, guava can help us regulate metabolism and promote the absorption of minerals and vitamins.

Fiber in guava helps improve blood pressure and ensure heart health

Eating guava prevents blood from becoming too thick and lowers blood pressure. Some foods that are not high in fiber or fiber, such as refined flour, may cause higher levels of blood pressure (ie, high blood pressure) because these foods are more likely to be converted to sugars.

Previously, India conducted a study in which 120 subjects with high blood pressure were asked to dine and eat guava for 12 weeks. The results showed that subjects generally showed a downward trend in blood pressure levels during the study period. In addition,

    “The total intake of soluble fiber, vitamins and minerals has also increased significantly”.

Not only that, eating this tropical fruit can improve the health of the heart in many ways. Among them, antioxidants play a key role because they can effectively remove free radicals that can cause oxidative stress and damage.

A study has shown that guava leaves "inhibit the production of hydrogen peroxide-induced reactive oxygen species ROS", thereby preventing lipid peroxidation and cell death."

The potassium and fiber contained in guava are very good for heart health. They can reduce blood pressure and prevent stroke, and have a positive effect on the heart.

Fiber in guava: helps lower blood sugar

The importance of fiber is to balance the absorption of sugar in the body, thereby reducing the risk of excessive or too low blood sugar and insulin levels. A clinical study showed that drinking tea made from guava leaves reduced blood glucose levels in 19 subjects and its effectiveness lasted for 2 hours.

The same group of researchers conducted further trials in Japan. They selected 20 subjects with type 2 diabetes and asked them to drink tea made from guava leaves after a meal. The results showed that the subject's blood glucose level dropped by as much as 10%.

A number of animal studies and in vitro studies have shown that guava extract can effectively lower blood sugar levels, increase its controllability over time, and reduce insulin resistance. A study shows:

    “Although PG [Guava Leaf] is effective in treating diabetes, this is a recognized fact. But this is the first time in history that we have announced their positive impact on lifelong disease management, and these diseases are caused by The intake of fructose during development is too high."

Eating guava and preventing cancer

To illustrate that plant-based foods can significantly improve health, then its role in cancer prevention and treatment is no better than the best example. It is hoped that cancer research has confirmed that guava can effectively inhibit the growth of cancer cells, and the role played in preventing cancer cell metastasis is even more gratifying.

The lycopene, flavonoids, lutein, quercetin and cryptoxanthin contained in guava can synergistically inhibit the growth of cancer cells. According to Organic Facts:

    “Recent studies on guava have shown that they are effective in preventing prostate cancer, breast cancer, oral cancer, etc. As an anti-proliferative ingredient, the performance of guava leaf oil is undoubtedly widely recognized. In fact Its role in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells is indeed stronger than some of the dominant modern drugs.

    In addition, guava is also rich in lycopene; this ingredient has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Studies have shown that lycopene can also inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells, although it needs to be confirmed by more human trials."

According to the Health Site, “strong evidence” suggests that eating guava can also prevent skin, colon and lung cancer. Science Direct also mentioned that eating guava can inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells and accelerate their apoptosis.

Other health benefits of guava

Guava also contains many other nutrients that are good for your health. Our bodies can use these ingredients to fight disease and gain multiple benefits:

    Thyroid — In addition to other mineral elements, guava is also rich in copper, which regulates the metabolism of the thyroid by both “generating” and “absorbing” aspects. This helps us regulate hormones on an overall level and enhance the function of all other organs.

    Vision — Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is one of the most valuable ingredients in guava because it helps us improve our vision in many ways. Diseases that have a significant impact on vision, such as cataracts and macular degeneration, can be alleviated by supplementing this nutrient, and it can even repair tissue damage caused by the lesion.

    Scurvy — This disease, commonly known as “the scourge of sailors,” has been largely eliminated, but in recent years there has been a “re-emergence”. Vitamin C is the only "antidote". Fortunately, the vitamin C content of guava is much higher than other citrus fruits.

    According to Nutrition Data, vitamin C is about 125 mg in guava, and 51 mg, 38 mg, and 31 mg in citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, and lemon.

    Brain Health — Vitamin B3 (also known as niacin) and vitamin B6 (also known as pyridoxine) help improve brain function, which in turn accelerates blood flow, stimulates cognitive function, and increases concentration.

    Weight Loss — Because of the high crude fiber content of guava, it is definitely the best choice for people who want to lose weight. In addition, guava can enhance satiety and help people reduce their food intake, while it has a lower sugar content than other fruits such as apples and grapes.

Eating guava helps relieve dysmenorrhea

Medically, the symptoms of menstrual cramps that occur during menstruation are called dysmenorrhea, which can have multiple effects. But studies have shown that eating guava can effectively relieve symptoms of dysmenorrhea.

In one study, 197 women with dysmenorrhea suffered from painful symptoms by taking 6 mg of guava extract daily, which was even more effective than other routine treatments. The researchers believe that their pain symptoms can be alleviated, mainly because the guava extract has an effect of "anti-caries" or reduced sputum response when it acts on the uterus.