Guava

Scientific Name: Psidium guajava

Bahasa Indonesian: Jambu biji 

Batak: Attajau

Basic Information: Guava is a common tropical fruit cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions. Widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, guava fruits can range in size from as small as an apricot to as large as a grapefruit. Various cultivars have white, pink, or red flesh, and a few also feature red (instead of green or yellow) skin. Guava fruits, usually 4 to 12 centimetres (1.6 to 4.7 in) long, are round or oval depending on the species. They have a pronounced and typical fragrance, similar to lemon rind but less sharp. The outer skin may be rough, often with a bitter taste, or soft and sweet.

Not only the fruits have huge impact on your health. Also the leaves. You can make a tea out of it.

Health Benefits of the fruits

1. Antioxidant Properties – The naturally high content of vitamin C in guavas, four times higher than that found in oranges, helps boost the immune system.
2. Controls Diabetes – The intake of guava can also help patients suffering from diabetes. It contains a high level of dietary fiber, which has a beneficial effect on lowering blood glucose levels in the body.
3. Regulates Blood Pressure – Research published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that guava helped reduce LDL cholesterol levels and blood pressure in study participants.
4. Improves Thyroid Health – Guava is a good source of copper, a mineral important for regulating metabolism by helping to control hormone production and absorption.
5. Eliminates Diarrhea & Dysentery – Whether you chew on its leaves or eat the raw fruit, the astringent qualities add substance to loose bowels and reduce the symptoms of diarrhea.
6. Relieves Constipation – Guava is one of the richest sources of dietary fiber amongst fruits, and its seeds serve as excellent laxatives.
7. Improves Brain Health – Another tremendous benefit of guava is the presence of B vitamins, B3 and B6. Vitamin B3 (also known as niacin) can increase blood flow and stimulates cognitive function, whereas vitamin B6 is a nutrient correlated with brain and nerve function.
8. Weight Loss – Guava is very helpful for people wanting to lose weight without compromising their intake of vital proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It is high in roughage (fiber), has no cholesterol and contains a low number of digestible carbohydrates.
9. Skin care – Guavas can improve the health of your skin and help you avoid skin problems. This is chiefly due to the abundance of astringents available in the fruit.

Health Benefits of the leaves

f you are looking for the benefits of guava leaves, then you are at the right place. Now, we all know that guava (amrood in Hindi) has been hailed as one of the super fruits as it provides several health benefits, it is extraordinarily rich in vitamin C, lycopene and antioxidants that are beneficial for skin. The potassium in guavas helps normalise blood pressure levels. Since it contains about 80% of water and rich in fibres, it also aids weight loss. But did you know that guava leaves are great for your well-being too? The young leaves of the guava tree can be brewed to make a magical tea, that has in fact been part of traditional medicine for centuries in Mexico and parts of South America. “These leaves are a powerhouse of antioxidants like vitamin C, and flavonoids such as quercetin”, says Delhi-based Nutritionist, Anshul Jaibharat. To make guava leaf tea, all you need to do is soak guava leaves in a cup of hot water and drink up!

Here are 15 benefits of guava leaves and reasons you need to start drinking guava leaf tea immediately –

1. Diarrhea

According to a study published in the Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo, guava-leaf extracts inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, a common cause of diarrhea. People suffering from diarrhea who drink guava leaf tea may experience less abdominal pain, fewer and less watery stools, and a quicker recovery, according to Drugs.com. Add the leaves and root of guava to a cup of boiling water, strain the water and consume it on an empty stomach for quick relief.
 

^{Guava leaf tea may help reduce abdominal pain}2. Lowers CholesterolLDL or Low-density lipoprotein are one of the five major groups of lipoproteins which transport all fat molecules throughout your body. It is the excess of this class of cholesterol that may cause a host of health disorders particularly that of heart. According to an article published in Nutrition and Metabolism, study participants who drank guava leaf tea had lower cholesterol levels after eight weeks.(Also Read: 5 Fruits You Should Include In Your Cholesterol Diet)

^{Cholesterol levels could be managed efficiently with guava leaf tea}

3. Manages DiabetesJapan has approved guava leaves tea as one of the foods for specified health uses to help with the prevention and treatment of diabetes. The compounds in the tea help regulate blood sugar levels after meals, by inhibiting the absorption of two types of sugars – sucrose and maltose. According to an article published in Nutrition and Metabolism, guava leaf tea inhibits several different enzymes that convert carbohydrate in the digestive tract into glucose, potentially slowing its uptake into your blood.(Also Read: 5 Vegetables You Must Include In Your Diabetes Diet)

^{Guava leaf tea inhibits several different enzymes that convert carbohydrate in the digestive tract into glucose}4. Promotes Weight LossLooking to shed the extra inches around your belly? Sip into guava leaf tea. Guava leaves help prevent complex carbs from turning into sugars, promoting rapid weight loss. Drink guava leaves tea or juice regularly to reap the benefits.(Also Read: Here’s Why You Should Drink Fennel Seed (Saunf) Water For Weight Loss)

^{Guava leaves help prevent complex carbs from turning into sugars, promoting rapid weight loss}.

5. Fights CancerDr. Anju Sood says, “Guava leaves can lower the risk of cancer” – especially breast, prostate, and oral cancers – due to high quantities of the antioxidant lycopene. Various studies have revealed that lycopene plays a significant role in lowering the risk of cancer.

 

_{Guava leaves can lower the risk of cancer.}

6. Heals Cold and CoughGuava leaves contain high levels of Vitamin C and iron, and a decoction of guava leaves is very helpful in relieving cough and cold as it helps get rid of mucus. It also disinfects the respiratory tract, throat and lungs.7. Reduces AcneDue to their high percentage of Vitamin C, guava leaves can help get rid of acne when crushed and applied to trouble spots.

_{Guava leaves can help get rid of acne when crushed and applied to trouble spots.}

8. Improves Skin TextureGuavas have high astringent properties, and guava leaves rank even higher. Apply a decoction of the leaves on your skin to help tone and tighten facial muscles.9. Prevents Hair LossSuffering from hair loss? Guava leaves for hair can keep all your hair-related problems at bay. Guava leaves can be boiled and massaged onto the scalp. Guava is rich in antioxidants that could do wonders for volume of hair. Note: Make sure the water is cool before applying it to the scalp.(Also Read: 6 Benefits of Bhringraj Oil: An Ancient Ayurvedic Treatment For Your Hair)

_{Guava leaves can be boiled and massaged onto the scalp.​}

10. Beats Toothache“Guava leaves are anti inflammatory in nature and help in maintaining good oral health”, says Delhi-based Nutritionist Anshul Jaibharat. Guava leaf tea works as a fantastic home remedy for toothache, swollen gums and oral ulcers due to the powerful antibacterial agents. You can also grind the leaves into a paste and apply it to your gums and teeth to cure these problems.11. Improves Quality of Sleep“Drinking guava leaf tea regularly helps improve quality of sleep”, says Dr. Ashutosh Gautam, Clinical Operations and Coordination Manager at Baidyanath. It calms your nerves and quietens your mind, making it easier to slip into slumber.

_{Drinking guava leaf tea regularly helps improve quality of sleep​.}

12. Boosts ImmunityAccording to Bangalore-based Nutritionist Dr. Anju Sood, “guava leaf tea helps boost the immune system”, thereby reducing the risk of various illnesses.13. Soothes Gastrointestinal IssuesGuava leaves are useful in treating gastrointestinal issues because they reduce the production of extra mucus that can irritate the digestive system, and prevent further microbial growth in the intestines due to anti-bacterial properties.

_{Guava leaves are useful in treating gastrointestinal issues​}

14. Promotes Heart Health“Guava leaf tea may also benefit your heart and circulatory system”, says Anshul Jaibharat.15. Good for Your Brain“Guava leaves contain vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which help in improving blood circulation to the brain, stimulating cognitive function and relaxing the nerves”, remarks Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja.

_{Guava leaves contain vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)}

(This article was published in NDTV Food)

Fun facts:

• Unlike many types of fruit, cultivating guavas does not require much use of pesticides. They are among the least chemically-treated fruits in the world today.
• Guava trees are not only prized for the fruits that they bear but also for their wood. Guava wood has an aroma that can be described as semi-sweet, which makes it ideal for smoking meat, poultry and fish.
• At one point in Philippine mythology the guava was forbidden. This changed when a child prayed to the gods to make the inedible fruit delicious so he could feed a beggar.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guava

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-guava.html

https://www.thefactsite.com/guava-facts/

http://servingjoy.com/fun-facts-of-guavas/