About Guava – Nature’s Gift for a Healthy Body. If guavas form a part of your daily diet, you have a good enough reason to pat yourself on the back. Want to know why? Because you’ve been providing your body with an excellent supply of nutrients and vitamins which are helping to keep you strong, fit and disease-free!
There are two basic varieties of guavas, namely the apple guava which is more common of the two, and the strawberry guava. Depending on the variety, guavas can be round or pear-shaped, covered in yellow, green or maroon skin which may be rough and thick or soft and sweet, and may contain either white or red inner flesh which features a generous sprinkling of small, hard seeds.
Guavas have often been classified as one of the super fruits due to the marvelous health benefits that their regular consumption provides.
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Guava Nutritional Information
Want to know how many nutrients you can glean from 165 grams, or 1 cup of guava fruit? Your body will be enriched with an impressive 498 mg of Vitamin C, 412 IU of Vitamin A, 50 mg of calcium, 48 mg of phosphorous, not to mention substantial quantities of dietary fiber, protein and vitamin B.
This marvelous storehouse of nutrients provides a plethora of health benefits that keep you looking and feeling strong, healthy and fit.
Looking specifically for low fat foods to snack on?
Guavas might just be what you’re looking for! With only 0.9 grams of fat content per 165 gram, and a rich store of vitamins, nutrients and dietary fiber, guavas are the perfect fruit to satisfy those cravings.
Health Benefits Of Guava Fruit:
Want to know why guavas should figure as a permanent part of your healthy lifestyle? Take a look at the top five health benefits of the guava.
1. Remedy For High-Blood Pressure!
Skin-less guavas, apart from being hypoglycemic in nature are also rich in potassium and dietary fiber. All these combine to regulate and lower the blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This reduces the risk of fatal ailments such as heart diseases, atherosclerosis and hypertension.
2. Prevents Cancer!
All guavas, especially the ones with red inner flesh, are rich sources of lycopene. Research shows that this antioxidant plays a key role in preventing and inhibiting prostate and breast cancer. Fortunately, lycopene levels in the guava remain intact whether the fruit is consumed raw or cooked before consumption. Moreover, research suggests that the lycopene in guava is more effective than the lycopene in tomatoes!
3. Reduced Risk of Diabetes!
The guava fruit and leaves contain substances that help to lower the blood glucose level. Diabetics are recommended to add guavas to their diet to supplement their diabetic treatment.
However, take note that diabetics must not eat guavas with the skin intact. The skin is in fact, detrimental for the body’s blood sugar level.
4. Natural Dental and Skin Care!
Guavas contain vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium which stimulate the detoxification of the skin, and lead to smoother, softer skin. Guavas also contain astringents which tighten the skin and give it a smoother texture. The astringents also relieve swollen gums, ulcers and tooth aches.
5. Great For Digestion!
Guavas are a rich source of dietary fiber. This roughage helps to prevent constipation. Note that one guava contains 36% of your body’s required daily requirement of dietary fiber. The astringents in the guava also help to cure cases of diarrhea.
Possible Ways To Enjoy The Guava
Guavas can be eaten fresh, sliced into fruit salads or used as a substitute for strawberries and apples. Relish the sweet and sour taste of the guava fruit in a tall glass of iced guava juice, or tweak your regular fruit cake recipe to add a hint of guava flavor to it.
Guavas can also be cooked into guava pies! If pies don’t suit your taste, spread a thick layer of guava jam onto a slice of warm toasted bread and enjoy!
Possible Health Concerns
Guavas do not any documented health risks, however as mentioned earlier, research has proved that consuming guava skin is detrimental for diabetics.