Who among us has not savoured a heaping helping of guavas dusted with chaat masala and served on a platter? There is nothing else that can compare to the mouthwatering jams, jellies, and murabba that are scented with an alluringly powerful and sugary aroma. It is a fruit that, without a shadow of a doubt, has always received sufficient praise from our grandmothers. In Hindi, guava is referred to as amrood, and it is packed to the brim with teeny-tiny, abrasive seeds. It is said to have originated in Central America, where it is also often referred to as “sand plum.” It may be round or oval in form, and its skin can be either light green or light yellow. The colour of its flesh can range from white or pink to dark red, and its seeds can be consumed. Guava has been lauded as one of the “super fruits” owing to the multiple positive effects on one’s health that can be derived from eating it, in addition to its unique flavour and aroma. In every sense of the word, it is a nutrient-rich powerhouse. This unassuming fruit is exceptionally abundant in skin-friendly antioxidants, lycopene, vitamin C, and other nutrients that are good for the skin. Manganese is another component that may be found in abundance in guavas. Manganese assists the body in absorbing other essential elements from the food that we consume. The presence of folate, a mineral that plays an important role in the process of fertility enhancement, is one of the reasons why guavas are beneficial. The potassium content in guavas contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure levels. In point of fact, the quantity of potassium found in a guava and a banana is quite close to being identical. According to Dr Manoj K. Ahuja, who works at Sukhda Hospital, “since it contains around 80% water, it helps keep your skin moisturised.”
Guava Nutritional Value
The guava fruit has several health benefits, and today we are going to discuss the guava’s contribution to a healthy diet. According to the information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, a single portion of the fruit weighing 100 grammes has just 68 calories and 8.92 grammes of sugar (USDA). Guavas also have a high calcium content, with 18 grammes of the mineral present in every one hundred grammes of the fruit. In addition to this, one hundred grammes of the fruit has 22 milligrammes of magnesium, 40 milligrammes of phosphorus, and 417 milligrammes of potassium. All of these elements are present in significant quantities.
The following is a list of the astounding advantages of guava for both one’s health and one’s skin:
Benefits of Guava for Skin
1. An Immunity Boosting Supplement
Did you know that guavas are one of the foods that contain one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C? It is correct. The vitamin C content of guava fruit is comparable to that of oranges, but it is four times higher. Vitamin C can help strengthen your immune system and defend you against a wide variety of pathogens and infections. In addition to that, it maintains the health of your eyes.
2. Reduces the Chance of Developing Cancer
“Lycopene, quercetin, vitamin C, and other polyphenols act as powerful antioxidants that neutralise free radicals generated in the body, thereby preventing the growth of cancer cells. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant. According to Dr Manoj K. Ahuja, guava fruit has been shown to be widely successful in reducing the risk of prostate cancer. Additionally, due to its high lycopene content, guava fruit has been shown to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.
3. Diabetes-Friendly
Guavas prevent diabetes from developing in people by preventing the body from becoming insulin resistant and by having a low glycemic index. While a low glycemic index prevents a sharp increase in blood sugar levels, the presence of fibre guarantees that blood sugar remains steadily within a healthy range all the time.
4. Taking Care of Your Heart
Patients who suffer from hypertension may benefit from eating guava fruit since it helps improve the body’s salt and potassium balance, which in turn lowers their blood pressure. Guavas have been shown to reduce levels of both triglycerides and “bad” cholesterol (LDL), both of which are risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. This wondrous fruit raises the levels of the “good” cholesterol in the body (HDL).
5. Relieves symptoms of constipation
It is one of the highest sources of dietary fibre compared to other fruits, and just one guava satisfies around 12% of the daily required intake of fibre, which makes it incredibly good for your digestive health. Guavas come in a variety of colours, including red, yellow, orange, and green. Consumed either whole or chewed, guava seeds are a good source of laxatives that promote the development of healthy bowel movements and may be consumed in any form.
6. It makes one’s eyesight better.
Guava is widely recognised for its ability to improve visual health due to the presence of vitamin A in the fruit. It has the potential not only to avert the deterioration of one’s vision but also to enhance it. It has the potential to reduce the rate at which cataracts and macular degeneration develop. Guavas are still an excellent source of vitamin A despite the fact that they do not contain nearly as much of the vitamin as carrots do.
7. Guava During Pregnancy
It is suggested that pregnant women take folic acid, also known as vitamin B-9, since it may assist in the development of the nervous system of the infant and prevent the newborn from having neurological abnormalities. Guava has folic acid, therefore it is beneficial to pregnant women as well.
8. Alleviates Pain in the Teeth
The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of guava leaves are what make them so effective in warding off infections and eliminating pathogens. Guava leaves have a substantial anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, eating guava leaves might be a very effective home cure for relieving toothache symptoms. It has also been discovered that the juice extracted from guava leaves may treat toothaches, inflamed gums, and oral ulcers.
9. Stress-Buster
One of the numerous advantages of guava is that it helps to relax the muscles and nerves of the body, which is made possible by the magnesium that is found in the fruit. Therefore, whether you’ve just finished a strenuous exercise or a long day at the workplace, guava is most definitely what you need to relax your muscles, relieve tension, and give your body a wonderful surge of energy.
10. Beneficial to Your Mental Health
According to Dr Manoj K. Ahuja, “Guavas contain vitamin B3 and vitamin B6, also known as niacin and pyridoxine respectively, which help in improving blood circulation to the brain, stimulating cognitive function, and relaxing the nerves.” [Citation needed] “Guavas contain vitamin B3 and vitamin B6, also known as niacin and pyridoxine respectively.”
11. Weight Loss
Do you want to lose a few pounds? Guava is just what the doctor ordered. Guava helps you lose weight by regulating your metabolism, and doing so does not compromise your consumption of healthy nutrients like proteins, vitamins, or fibre. It’s a victory for both sides! Guava is an excellent choice for a snack since it is quite satiating and may readily satisfy one’s hunger. Additionally, when compared to apples, oranges, grapes, and other common fruits, guava, particularly fresh guava, has a much lower amount of sugar.
12. Coughing with a Cold Symptom
Both vitamin C and iron are known to be effective in warding against viral and bacterial illnesses, and guava contains one of the greatest concentrations of both of these nutrients of any fruit. Because it assists in the elimination of mucus and disinfects the respiratory tract, throat, and lungs, the juice of raw and immature guavas or a decoction made from guava leaves is highly useful in the treatment of cough and cold symptoms.
13. Anti-Ageing Properties
Guavas contain a lot of vitamin A and vitamin C, in addition to other vitamins and antioxidants including carotene and lycopene, all of which work together to prevent wrinkles in the skin. If you eat one guava every day, you won’t get wrinkles!
14. Improves Complexion
Guava assists in restoring the shine and youthfulness of the skin. Take advantage of these advantages by making your own scrub at home: It’s as simple as mashing up some guava flesh with an egg yolk and applying the mixture on your face thereafter. After 20 minutes, wash off with warm water to remove any residue. This scrub may be used once or twice per week to exfoliate dead skin cells from the skin and brighten the overall appearance of the complexion. Guavas are an excellent source of vitamin K, which reduces the appearance of skin discolouration, as well as redness, acne irritation, and dark bags under the eyes.
15. Improves Texture
Guavas have a high level of astringent qualities, while unripe guavas and guava leaves have an even greater level. Applying a decoction made from guava leaves and fruit to your skin can help tone and tighten the facial muscles; to get this effect, just apply the decoction.