Health Benefits of Fresh Guava

Guava is a common fruit in our local market, though usually neglected by many probably due to the hard seeds inside the fruit, however, it is considered a super fruit for its rich antioxidants, including vitamin C, Polyphenols and carotenoids,

The notable nutrients in Guava includes:

• Calcium
• Iron
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Zinc
• Copper
• Manganese
• Selenium
• Carbohydrates
• Protein
• Fat, Monounsaturated, Polyunsaturated fat, Omega 3 fatty acids.
• Vitamins includes:

Vitamin A, B6, B12, Vit C, Vit E, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Pantothenic acid, Choline, folate, dietary fibre and sugars.
ITS NOTABLE HEALTH BENEFITS ARE:

1. Increase immunity
2. Protect from tumour
3. Protect from cancer
4. Maintain blood pressure
5. Increase blood production
6. Protect from Colon Cancer
7. Prevent premature aging
8. Good for diabetes
9. Promote eye health
10. Improves skin health
11. Improves digestion

1 Increase Immunity: It is an excellent source of vitamin C. It contains more vitamin C than an orange, making it increase immune system functions. It protects against such diseases like cough, cold and flu. It also helps resist infections. Guavas average four to five times more vitamin C per serving than other citrus fruits.

2. Lycopene:   This is particularly found in the pink guavas. Lycopene is a rare antioxidant found mostly in red fruits like tomatoes, Papaya, Pink grapefruit, watermelon and Rosehip.   Guava is one of the few fruits rich in lycopene. Lycopene has an anti-tumor property. Lycopene protects from oxygen derived free radicals as its activity fights to neutralize it. So eating guava will help fight prostate cancer and other cancers. As we know, the main cause of cancer is free radical and damage caused to DNA of cells. Guava contains antioxidants that protect from free radicals and lycopene retards tumor growth. It is a healthy food to prevent cancers. It is effective to protect against colon breast, mouth, skin, stomach, oral cavity and lung cancers.

3.: Guava contains good amount of potassium. Potassium is required to maintain fluid level i.e. to balance electrolyte, thus it help to maintain normal blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attach.

4. Increase Blood Production: Guava contains vitamins like E,K niacin, folate and other minerals needed for blood production.
5. Colon Cancer: Guava contains dietary fats which help to clean toxin from the colon thus reducing the effect of toxins.
6. Diabetes Management: Guava contains good amount of dietary fibre. It is found that eating fibre rich food help to reduce sugar spikes in diabetes patients.
7. Eye Health: Guava contains good amount of vitamin A. As vitamin A is beneficial to improving eye health. It is also beneficial to prevent retinal damage caused due to free radicals.   In this way, it improves vision and protect from cataract or macular degeneration.
8. Improves Digestion: Guava contains good amount of dietary fibre which improves digestion. It has antibacterial and astringent properties the helps cleans the intesine to protect from microbial activity. Thus it aids digestion and prevents diarrhea and constipation.
9. Folate” Guava contains a mineral known as folate. It helps promote fertility in humans.
10. Improves Skin Health: This is to due to the presence of vitamins C and A in good amount.
11. Copper:   The presence of copper in guava makes it a fruit for thyroid health. Improper functioning of the thyroid gland can cause a lot of health problems.
12. Nervous Relaxant: It is rich in magnesium which acts as a nervous relaxant. It helps to relax muscles and nerves of the body.

SPECIAL BENEFITS OF GUAVA FOR SKIN AND HAIR
Guava is a rich source of vitamins A,B, C and potassium which are good antioxidants and detoxifiers. They fight free radicals, thus keeping your skin glowing and free from premature signs of ageing like wrinkles and fine lines. Besides, lycopene protects the healthy cells from toxins that accumulate in the body due to metabolism and environmental pollution.

1. Natural Skin Toner

The high concentration of vitamins, minerals and nutrients in guava helps in keeping your skin toned, fresh and wrinkle free. Guava is effective in enhancing skin texture, tightening the loosed skin and reviving the lost elasticity of the skin. The astringent qualities of guavas keep your skin free from blemishes, acne, wrinkles and pimples. Washing your face with the decoction of immature guava fruit and its leaves beautifies your skin.

2. Treatment of blackheads and Skin Itchiness:

In the case of blackheads, the leaves of guava fruit could be blended with little water and applied as a scrub to remove blackheads. Guava leaves can also rid you of skin itchiness as they contain allergy blocking compounds.

3. Treatment of Skin Problems

A guava provides more than twice the recommended daily value of vitamin C which is excellent for skin healing as it contributes to generation of collagen, the substance that imparts firmness to the skin. Besides, it provides about 1.4 micrograms of vitamin K which is 2% of the recommended daily value. This vitamin improves blood coagulation, impairment of which causes skin redness and irritation. This makes it beneficial in treating dark circles, spider veins, acne irritation and other skin problems.

4. Treatment of Acne and Dark Spots

In the case of acne and dark spots, guava leaves could be mashed to make a smooth paste to clean the face and applied on the acne and dark sports.

5. Prevents Hair Loss: This is due to the abundance of vitamin C and other nutrients that encourage healthy hair.