Guava is a fruit rich in antioxidants which are recognized numerous therapeutic properties, let’s see which ones.
Guava is a tropical fruit grown mainly in Central America, especially Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. Here, fresh fruit is not very easy to find, it can be found in large retailers, but it is not available in all hypermarkets and not all year round.
Pure guava juice and dried leaves are more easily found, which can be purchased in health food stores, parapharmacies and online through specialized sites. The guava pulp has a buttery texture reminiscent of melon and pear; the taste is sweet and aromatic, typically exotic even if, in some respects, the taste of the guava is somewhat reminiscent of that of apple.
Nutritional values of guava
Guava is very rich in antioxidants, more than all other fruits, and contains much more vitamin C than orange or kiwi. A whole fruit, in fact, provides more than double the recommended daily requirement of vitamin C.
It can also boast a high amount of dietary fiber and a consistent presence of minerals, including magnesium, potassium, calcium, copper and phosphorus. Its caloric intake is on average with that of other fruits and, specifically, 100 grams of guava provide just under 70 calories.
Guava seeds have an excellent content of vitamin A, B complex vitamins, vitamin E and iodine. Guava leaves are very rich in chlorophyll.
Nutritional values per 100g of guava:
- Waterfall: 80.8 g
- kcal: 68
- Proteins: 2.55 g
- Fat: 0.95 g
- of which saturated: 0.272 g
- Carbohydrates: 14.32 g
- of which sugars: 8.92 g
- Fibers: 5.4 g
- C vitamin: 228.3 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 g
Benefits of guava
Guava, as we have seen, is a fruit rich in nutrients and, thanks to its composition, it enjoys numerous properties. In short, guava is an excellent antioxidant, is good for the heart, fights diabetes and is good for the gastrointestinal system, but not only. Let’s now explore the benefits of this exotic fruit.
✓ Guava against diabetes
Guava juice and pulp are considered useful for fighting glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus; it seems, in fact, that guava is able to keep blood sugars under control and, in particular, the glycemic peaks that occur after meals. It also appears to be useful against insulin resistance.
✓ Guava for cardiovascular prevention
In addition to promoting the reduction of blood sugars, guava, especially thanks to the richness of dietary fiber and its antioxidant power, helps to keep blood pressure values and cholesterol and triglyceride levels under control. Overall, therefore, we can say that guava consumption promotes cardiovascular health.
✓ Guava against rheumatoid arthritis
Guava leaves contain quercetin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substance capable of relieving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
✓ Guava for the well-being of the gastrointestinal system
Guava leaves have astringent and antibacterial properties and are therefore useful in case of diarrhea. They also have an antibacterial capacity and can therefore be a valuable aid in gastroenteritis. Guava also helps with vomiting.
✓ Guava as a pain reliever
Guava leaves contain a substance with an analgesic effect and can therefore help in painful symptoms, especially in case of toothache and menstrual pain.
✓ Guava for cancer prevention
According to some hypotheses, supported by recent scientific studies, guava, especially thanks to the very high content of antioxidant substances, would have anti-cancer qualities and would therefore be useful in prevention.
How to eat guava
Fresh guava is eaten more or less like an apple: the peel is edible and can be consumed (although it tends to be eliminated as it can be a bit too thick), the pulp (which can have a different color depending on the variety) a fairly neutral flavor tending to sweet, and there are seeds, which can also be eliminated or consumed.
If you prefer to experiment in the kitchen, you can also try using guava for the preparation of delicious exotic extracts, non-alcoholic cocktails or fruit salads. However, in our country it will certainly be easier to find guava juice, to drink like any other extract. Also excellent for breakfast to fill up on vitamins and antioxidants.
Contraindications and side effects
The consumption of guava in the form of fresh fruit or juice has no particular contraindications, except for any individual allergies. Like all foods, it is good not to overdo it and stick to the standard quantities which, for fruit, are about 2 or 3 servings a day, equivalent to 2 or 3 fruits.
Curiosity
Guava in many countries is sold as street food and is served with ground chilli, salt or sugar.
