Guava Fruit Benefits: Amazing Uses Of Guava Leaves - PharmEasy Blog (2024)

Guava, a tropical fruit produced in Venezuela, Mexico and Colombia is usually eaten fresh or made into beverages, while its skin and leaf are used as a home remedy during various conditions. Most people think that guava is associated with a person getting cold and this may be true. Moreover, these fruits also have health benefits. Guava is also helpful during dangerous health problems such ashigh blood pressure, diarrhoea,diabetes, cough and different types of cancer. In fact, it is so good for diabetes that it can be included in your Diabetes Diet Plan.

Well, how does guava do all of this? The answer to this question is that guava has a high source of vitamin C and fibres that act as antioxidants. These antioxidants have the tendency to reduce or stop harmful effects pertaining to oxidation.

Common facts about guava

Guava is a fruit with medicinal properties and helps in many health problems such as diarrhoea, blood pressure and so on. Here are some facts about guava that you need to know.

• Guava usually grows to about 20 feet in height.
• Guava produces white flowers.
• Guava begins producing fruit for only 2 to 8 years after planting and produced fruits only twice a year.
• Guava contains 100 to 500 miniature seeds inside the middle of the fruit. However, there are some varieties that are seedless.
• Guava has a rich source of vitamin C, A and E.
• Guava is called the super fruit because it is said to contain four times more vitamin C than orange and three times more proteins and four times more fibre than pineapple. It is also said to have more potassium than a banana.
• Guava leaves are used as a black pigment in the textile industry
• Guava plant lives for not less than 40 years.
• Guava is the best weight loss aid.

Based on my experience, I have observed that water extracts of guava may have liver-protective activity. They have been found to significantly reduce elevated levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin in the blood. Guava extract may have a protective effect on the liver, promoting its health and function.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD

Nutritional facts about guava

If pineapple is called the king of fruits, then guava is called the queen of fruits all because of its medical properties and capabilities. Guava was first sold in the market in Florida in 1847 and between 1948 and 1969, 21 cultivators of guava were introduced in Hawaii. One major threat to the growth of this fruit is that a sudden dip in temperature can cause guava trees to die. Here are some nutritional facts you need to know about guavas.

• Guava contains 21% vitamin A that helps brighten up your skin and maintains mucous membranes.
• This fruit also contains 20% folate that works well for pregnant women and prevents neural tube damage.
• Lycopene, found in pink coloured guavas are good for protecting skin against ultraviolet rays (UV) and also prevents prostate cancer.
• Guavas have potassium more than bananas and this helps regulate high blood pressure.

Note:Guava has great medicinal benefits, but it must be consumed within the limit. Guava contains fructose, which may be harmful to your health if consumed in large quantities.

In my experience, I have observed that water extracts of guava may have anti-proliferative activity against KB cells. This means that the extracts have the ability to inhibit the growth and division of certain harmful cells.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Types of guavas

Most guava trees have similar characteristics, while there are some that grow in colder climates grow to a maximum of 12 feet. Other grown in warmer climates reach up to 20 feet. Guava plants must be well taken care of during winter. However, for all those fitness enthusiasts, guava can be the weight loss agent. Here is a list of the different types of guavas.

1. Pink and red varieties of guavas

These guavas are also called desert guavas and usually taste sweet and appear to be pink in colour. This breed of guavas is easily available in the market around you. This is often sold in Hong Kong and has a smooth texture with fewer seeds. This breed is considered high quality.

2. White and yellow Ccloured Guavas

This breed tastes typically acidic and mild with no fragrance. The inside layer appears to be pale white or yellow while the skin looks green when ripe. This variety may also turn pinkish when ripe.

Note:Though there are many different varieties of guavas, all of them are said to be a powerhouse of healthy nutrients.

Over the years, I have observed that the leaf of Psidium guajava, commonly known as guava, has a spasmolytic effect. This means that it can help relieve spasms or involuntary contractions of certain muscles. The main component responsible for this effect is a compound called quercetin, which is found in its leaf and the plant extract.

Dr. Smita barode, BAMS

Health Benefits of Guava

Guava fruits are called the queen of all fruits because of their high level of medicinal value. Any 100 grams serving of guava fruit contains 68 calories and 8.92 grams of sugar. It is also rich in calcium and contains 18 grams of minerals for every 100 grams. This shows that the fruit has the capability to aid in different diseases. However, in order for you to have more insight into the topic, let’s take a peek into the health benefits of guava.

1. Guava helps boost your immunity

Guava is rich in vitamin C and is said to contain four times the content of vitamin C found in oranges. Vitamin C helps boost immunity levels that prepare your body to fight common infections and pathogens. Also, more vitamin C helps in good eyesight.

2. May reduce the risk of developing Cancer

Vitamin C, lycopene and other types of polyphenols act as antioxidants that help in neutralising infections in the body that prevent the growth of cancerous cells. Guava fruit has been shown to preventprostate cancerand also prevents the growth of breast cancer cells.

3. Helps to manage blood sugar levels

Guava has a high content of fibre and glycaemic index that helps prevent the development of diabetes. You may refer to Glycemic Index Food Chart to find out the GIs of other foods and modify your diet accordingly. Fibre content regulates blood sugar levels from spiking, while glycemic index also restricts your blood sugar to rise at a short.

4. Guavas help in keeping your heart healthy

Guava contains high amounts of sodium and potassium that helps the body to balance and regulate high blood pressure in patients suffering from hypertension. Guavas help in reducing cholesterol that is one of the primary reasons for heart diseases. However, this fruit increases the levels of good cholesterol and substitutes this with bad cholesterol.

5. Helps during constipation

Guavas contain high amounts of good dietary fibre when compared to other fruits. One guava a day contains 12 per cent of fibre intake that makes it highly beneficial for digestive health. It also helps in healthy bowel movements. This reduces your risk of constipation.

6. Helps in better eyesight

Guava fruit contains vitamin A that helps boost an individual’s eyesight. Eating guava not only prevents bad eyesight but also prevents you from developing cataracts and macular degeneration.

7. Guava is an anti-stress agent

Guava contains magnesium in the fruit that helps relax your muscles and nerves. So, this means that after a hard workout or a long day at the office, you need just one guava to get you relaxed. This fruit helps you combat stress and provides a good energy boost to your system.

8. Guava helps women during pregnancy

Guavas benefit pregnant women such that it contains folic acid and vitamin B-9 which is recommended to be given for women since it helps in developing the baby’s nervous system and protects the baby from neurological disorders.

9. One of the best solutions for toothaches

Guava leaves have anti-inflammatory action and antibacterial ability that fights infections and kills germs and people consuming guava leaves at home will help curb toothaches. The juice from the guava leaves is also said to provide relief from swollen gums and oral ulcers.

10. Aids in weight loss

If you are a fitness enthusiast, or if you feel that you are on the heavier side, then you need to eat guava that aids in weight loss. Guava regulates your body’s metabolism. Raw guava is said to have less sugar when compared to apples, grapes and oranges.

11. Helps in cold & cough

Guava has a very high content of vitamin C and iron when compared to other fruits. However, guava is proven to prevent you from getting a bad cold or any viral infection. The juice from raw guavas is very beneficial in curing cough and cold. It gets rid of the mucus and disinfects the respiratory tract, throat and lungs.

12. May help with menstruation pain

Many women experience bad and painful cramps as period symptoms. There is a study that suggests guava leaf extract can help reduce the pain during menstruation. This study involved 197 women consuming the guava leaf extract (6 mg) and found that it greatly helped in reducing the pain and that it works better than many painkillers as well!

Benefits of guava leaves

We all depend on western medicine for simple problems like fever, cold, cough etc. But, don’t forget that guava leaves are very healthy too. If guava fruit is healthy, then its leaves are super healthy. Here are some of the benefits of guava leaves that you need to know.

• Helps in stopping diarrhoea
• Hells reduce cholesterol levels
• Helps in losing weight
• helps to manage blood sugar levels
• Helps to fights cancer
• Helps in good vision
• Used for healing acne
• Helps in improving your skin texture

Note:Guava leaves can either be boiled in hot water and consumed or made tea using them. Either of these will benefit you in many ways.

Also Read: Yellow Dragon Fruit: Everything You Need to Know About its Health Benefits

Guava leaves for healthy hair

Hair fall is a result of an unhealthy scalp. Guava leaves can help stop hair fall and strengthen your scalp because of their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It is also being used in scalp related problems and dandruff.

It is also rich in vitamin B & C that helps in nourishing and aids in hair growth. So if you have a guava tree in your garden, then don’t pile up those leaves or burn it, instead make it a point to make a paste out of it and gently apply it on your scalp. This will fight hair fall and help strengthen your scalp.

Benefits of guava leaves tea

If green tea is considered healthy and ayurvedic, then guava leaf tea is even healthier and this can be consumed if you are having abdominal pain, watery stools etc. All you need to do is to add guava leaves to boiling water and boil for 20 minutes. Then strain the water and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Make sure it is at least lukewarm when you are consuming it. Also, this must be consumed on an empty stomach and you may find instant relief once you’ve followed the steps carefully.

FAQs

Guava fruit, including its leaves, has medical properties that can benefit you with developing any side effects. However, it is better than you consume in moderation. Here are some frequently asked questions that will help you have an insight into the topic of guava fruits and their other health benefits.

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