Winter is an interesting season bringing with various kinds of fruits that are delicious and equally beneficial. Guava is one of them.

As everyone knows, guava is a fruit eaten mostly in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Also, guava is one of those fruits that can be enjoyed really well even if it is not fully ripe.

The scientific name for guava is Psidium Guajava belonging to Myrtaceae family which is native to Mexico, South America and North America.

However, various countries around the world has various species of guava, one such being “pineapple guava”. India has been the leading producer of guava in 2011.

 

Types of Guavas

Guavas first developed in Southern Mexico and then went on to be adopted by various other Central and North American countries. Soon after various countries started producing their own types of guavas and since then, guava has been trading internationally and is one of the most demanded fruits.

However, the structure of guava isn’t much complicated. It very simple and the guava leaves are about 5-15cm long. The tree during the flowering season bears white flowers with about 5 petals and numerous stamens. However, the types of guavas found all over the world include:

• Common Guava.
• Strawberry guava.
• Yellow fruited cherry guava or Lemon guava.
• Common guava.
• Apple guavas.
• Thai Maroon guavas.
• Pineapple guavas, these species of guavas was included in the list, a few years ago.

Health Benefits of Eating Guavas

According to reports by Smart Cooky, a venture of NDTV, guava is a weight loss and healthy heart friendly fruit.

Keeping in mind all the essential nutritional qualities of guava, mentioned below are some of the health benefits of guava:

 

1) Protects the immunity system

It is not a hidden fact that guava is one of those fruits that is rich in Vitamin C. It is a food rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Lycopene and hence is considered to be one of the top most anti-oxidant food.

Guava contains four times the Vitamin C content of Oranges. Vitamin C helps in improving the immunity of the body and protects the body against any infections and pathogens.

Being rich in Vitamin C content, consumption of guavas would ensure a better functioning immune system for the body, thus restricting entry of any disease causing germ in the body.

 

2) Prevention of Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus commonly referred to as Diabetes, is a chronic disease which is caused when pancreas does not produce enough insulin and the body resists insulin.

The sugar level in the blood rises because it cannot get stored into the cells. Sweet foods are to be avoided when one suffers from diabetes.

However, guava is one of those fruits which is very necessary in a diet for diabetes. Guava is rich in fibre content and has low glycaemic index which prevents the development of diabetes in body.

Guavas does not harm insulin producing Beta cells, hence maintaining the sugar level in blood.

 

3) Rich in Vitamin C

Guava is rich in Vitamin C that helps to fight the diseases.

 

4) Improves Eyesight

Guavas are a rich source of vitamin B and Vitamin A. Beta carotene and Vitamin A is present in guava, hence ensuring better functioning of the eyesight.

It helps in curing eyesight problems like dryness, night blindness by strengthening the core of retina. Apart from strengthening the muscles it prevents degradation of eyesight.

Guavas are also important for eyesight as it slows down the appearance of cataracts in eyes and allows macular degeneration.

Guavas may not be as rich in vitamin A as carrots are, but still they are considered because of its nutritional values.

 

5) Rich in Folate Content

Guava is rich in folate content which is essential for human reproductive system as it helps in increasing fertility.

 

6) Beneficial for Pregnancy

Nutritional benefits of guavas always adds up for guavas during pregnancy. Consumption of guavas during pregnancy is very essential. Eating guavas during pregnancy reduces the chance of gestational diabetes.

Guavas help maintaining the blood sugar level which is very essential because during pregnancy any disruption in the blood sugar level may eventually lead to the risks of miscarriage or premature births.

Apart from that, guavas help in increasing the level of haemoglobin in the blood which reduces the risk of anaemia.

Also, women suffer from constipation during pregnancy. Eating a lot of guavas can help in clear bowel movements. Guava is rich in laxative properties which helps in easy bowel movements.

Therefore, guava helps in preventing digestion which is very essential during pregnancy. Guavas being rich in Vitamin C or ascorbic acid, helps in the improvement of immune system for pregnant mothers.

Guavas also help to solve other issues like bleeding gums, tooth ache, ulcer, broken blood cells and other problems related to pregnancy.

Each guava contains about 16 milligrams of Vitamin C which is more than the required amount of Vitamin C in the body.

 

7) Helps in Weight Loss

Guava lowers down the level of sugar or glucose in the body, hence, allowing weight loss easily.

 

8) Reduces the risk of heart diseases:

Guavas are a rich source of potassium and sodium and maintains the level in the body. It regulates the level of blood pressure in case of people suffering hypertension thereby reducing the risk of any heart disease.

Guavas regulate the good cholesterol (HDL) in the body thereby eliminating High cholesterol and low level cholesterol (LDL) from the body. LDL is responsible for higher chances of heart diseases.

Since guavas are rich in potassium and they eliminate LDL from the body, they prevent the risks of heart attacks or blockage. It improves the good level cholesterol (HDL) in the body.

 

9) Natural Cleanser

Guava acts as a natural cleanser for body because it is rich in fiber.

 

10) Treatment of constipation:

Constipation is a condition when individuals seem to have problems with their bowel movements. Guava is a rich source of dietary fibre which is one of the reasons it allows easy bowel movements thereby reducing the risk of any problems related to digestion.

 

11) Controls the Level of Cholesterol

Guava also is an important food for weight loss because it controls the level of cholesterol in the body and controls carbohydrates.

 

12) Reduces toothache issues:

Guavas perform the anti-inflammatory action is rich in anti-bacterial capacities preventing infections and also kills the germs.

Consuming guava leaves is one of the home-made remedies that cure issues related to teeth.

The juice of guava is said to have been one of the remedies the cure swollen gum and toothache problems.

 

13) Lowers the Risk of Cancer

Guava reduces the risk of cancer as it decreases the rate of cancer development cells.

 

14) Memory Enhancer

Guava is one of those fruits that helps in enhancing the memories. Being a rich source of Vitamin B3 and B6, niacin and pyridoxine that helps in circulation of blood in the brain thereby enhancing memory. Proper blood circulation in the brain ensures a healthy memory.

 

15) Anti-ageing properties

Guava is rich in Vitamin B and C and has antioxidants like lycopene and carotenes which has anti-ageing properties which protects the skin from wrinkles and other ageing problems.

Therefore, the saying “A guava a day, keeps fine lines away!”, is very much true. Also eating guava helps in maintaining the skin’s radiance and freshness.

 

A Brief History of Guavas

Guavas originated in Mexico and extended till Central America, then it was adopted worldwide. Several species of guavas exist. However, the apple guavas and its cultivars are one of the most known species that is traded internationally and is demanded.

Guavas are also grown in European countries, and in 20th century Greece adopted cultivation of guavas in commercial level. Guavas are also found in Florida since 19th century.

However, guava seeds once planted bears seeds within two years and continues up to 40 years. Guavas were mainly cultivated in the Caribbean region.

 

Final thoughts on the benefits of Guava

Guava fruit usually is about 4 to 12 centimetres with a lot of seeds within it. Apart from the fruit itself, guava leaves, juices and stems have a lot of benefits. Overall, guavas are very essential when it comes to nutritional values.

Guava leaves are rich in Vitamin C and iron which helps in improving cold and cough. It is rich in anti-oxidants and has anti-bacterial properties thereby acting as a natural pain reliever. Boiling guava leaves, will ensure strength to the scalp only promoting hair growth.

The juice obtained from the stem, leaves and fruits of guavas are also considered beneficial because of its nutritional benefits.  It is used for the treatment of diseases like cholera, cataracts, high cholesterol, several heart diseases and cancer.

Guava is also essential for the treatment of bronchitis. Because of so many benefits of guava, it is in demand by people. Not many are aware of the nutritional benefits of guava.

However, guava leaves are also beneficial for the treatment of deadly diseases like dengue. Guava aids in the treatment of dengue fever. It also stabilizes blood sugar content in the body because of it being rich in potassium contents. You can add guavas to your diet to fill it with important nutrients.