Guava, the antioxidant-packed fruit, is grown in many parts of the world. The fruit is grown in Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, Mexico, China, Kenya, Brazil, Nigeria, Philippines, Bangladesh, Egypt and Vietnam.
Guava from the Indian subcontinent has a different taste from that available in countries in East Asia and North and Central America. Hence, you will find various varieties of the fruit.
The fruit is packed with Vitamin C, Potassium, Fiber, and Antioxidants.
A lesser-known fact: the leaf of the fruit packed full of potassium and vitamin C is great for digestion, heart health, and treatment of other ailments.
The leaf extract is used as medicine and sometimes consumed as herbal tea. Guava leaf extract is also used in various skin care products.
While researching, I came across so many benefits of guava, but now I feel the fruit hasn’t gotten much attention.
These benefits aren’t proven with research, but these are some of the most common granny recommendations (is that even a word?) that have been working for ages.
Nutritional Facts of Guava
In 100 grams of guava, you get:
- Calories 68
- Sodium 2 mg
- Potassium 417 grams
- Carbohydrates 14 grams
- Protein 2.6 grams
Also, it contains:
- Vitamin C - 380% of Daily Value
- Calcium - 1% of Daily Value
- Vitamin B6 - 5% of Daily Value
- Magnesium - 5% of Daily Value
Types of Guavas
There are several varieties of guava:
- Tropical White: With whitish skin and yellow flesh. It is a sweet variety perfect for desserts and jams.
- Tropical Yellow: White skin and orange flesh, this variety also has sweet taste.
- Tropical Pink: Brightest yellow skin and pink flesh. This one has a very strong scent and mild flavour. The variety is often used in making jams.
- Lemon Guava: Greenish yellow skin and lemony yellow flesh. This variety has a dominant lemony flavour.
- Red Malaysian: Red skin and pink flesh, this variety is used in salads and decoration.
Health Benefits of Guava
For Digestive System
Since it’s an excellent source of fibre, guava is always recommended as an excellent laxative. Cut up some guava and enjoy it with your black coffee if you feel backed up. Make sure you stay home after this snack (iykwim); anywho, I haven’t been subtle.
The guava leaf extract is commonly used to balance gut health. It removes all the harmful microbes in your gut, which is the reason for constant diarrhoea.
Great for Weight Loss
Those many fibres are bound to make you feel full. The way you eat chia seeds with smoothies to aid in suppressing hunger pangs, you can cut some guava for those evening hunger bouts.
Why it works?
The fruit makes you full instantly. It requires a lot of chewing, which is a great way to tell your brain you are full, plus you are getting very important daily nutrients.
Boost Immune Health
This one shocked me; “guava contains twice the level of Vitamin C of that of an orange.”
Stupefied?
Yeah, me too. I had to go on an extensive internet dive to confirm this fact. Now, what do such quantities of Vitamin C do to your health?
First and foremost, the immune system gets a complete boost. You are not susceptible to frequent viral infections.
If you consume the fruit in routine, you are fixing your immune health big time.
Other Uses of Guava
- For the Treatment of Acne: Guava leaf extract is often used in creams for acne treatments.
- Slow Down Ageing: You may have seen guava extract in the list of ingredients. The burst of antioxidants is sure to rejuvenate the skin hence slowing down the ageing process.
- For Diabetes and Cholesterol: It has been suggested that guava be consumed daily to treat cholesterol and diabetes. Guava leaf extract is known for its impact on insulin resistance.
- Menstrual Cramps: Studies aren’t conclusive, but it comes as one of the granny recommendations. The guava leaf extract may reduce those cramps to a certain level. It cannot be used as a complete treatment.
Side Effects
Large quantities of guava may cause stomach aches and nausea for some people.
If you are about to undergo a procedure or surgery, refrain from having too many guavas as it interferes with blood sugar levels and thinning of blood.
If you have Eczema, the guava leaf extract products aren’t from you. Test a patch before you use the product.
While taking diabetic medications, keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels. Guava may lower your blood sugar level. In conjunction with daily medicine, you may experience more than usual drop in the levels.
Takeaway
I love to use guava in salads, pies, cakes, and jams. Guava marmalades also have a very distinct flavour and are a perfect ingredient for Polvorones.
After this internet exploration on guava, I am a convert and will start using guava in my diet, especially for evening snacks.
If you can’t find the fruit, check out Save Co’s Fresh Fruit section to find various varieties of the fruit.
