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Made from this plant – available in our shop
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.
Nutrition, Traditional Use and Research
The statements below describe nutrition facts, traditional use and published research. They are not health claims for our products.
- Guava fruit is rich in vitamin C (sources state about four times as much as oranges). Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system and the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Guava contains a high level of dietary fiber. Fiber is a part of a balanced diet and contributes to normal bowel function. Some studies have examined guava in relation to blood sugar; the evidence is limited, and guava is not a treatment for diabetes.
- Research published in the American Journal of Cardiology reported that participants who ate guava showed changes in blood pressure and LDL cholesterol values. Such studies are small, and guava should not replace medical treatment.
- Guava is a source of copper, a mineral that contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. It also contains the B vitamins niacin (B3) and B6, which contribute to the normal function of the nervous system and normal psychological function.
- In traditional folk practice in many countries, guava leaves and unripe fruit are used for digestive complaints. These are traditional uses only and have not been confirmed by sufficient scientific evidence. Please see a doctor in case of persistent diarrhea.
- Guava is low in digestible carbohydrates, contains no cholesterol, and is high in fiber, which makes it a useful fruit as part of a balanced diet.
Guava leaves
- The young leaves of the guava tree are traditionally brewed as tea in Mexico, parts of South America and many Asian countries.
- Guava leaves contain vitamin C and flavonoids such as quercetin, which show antioxidant activity in laboratory tests.
- A study published in the Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo reported that guava leaf extracts inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in laboratory tests. This is a test-tube finding and does not show that guava leaf tea has an effect in people.
- A study published in Nutrition and Metabolism examined guava leaf tea in participants over eight weeks, with a focus on cholesterol levels. Such studies are small, and guava leaf tea should not replace medical treatment.
- In Japan, guava leaf tea is approved as a food for specified health uses, for which health claims are subject to the Japanese regulation. This does not apply in Indonesia, and we make no health claims for our guava leaf tea.
- In traditional folk practice, guava leaves are used for digestive complaints, for oral care and for relaxation. These are traditional uses only and have not been confirmed by sufficient scientific evidence.
- Guava leaves contain vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B6, which contribute to the normal function of the nervous system and normal psychological function.
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/