27 Amazing Benefits of Guava (Amrood)
Guava is a delicious tropical fruit of the guava tree and belongs to the Myrtle family. It grows in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and is native to Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America. Being an excellent source of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, polyphenols, and dietary fibers, etc, guava provide many health and beauty benefits.
Health Benefits Of Guava
Some major health benefits of guava are as follows.
(1) Promotes Weight Loss
Guava promotes weight loss as it has a low caloric value of 68 calories per 100 grams.
Dietary fibers in guava keep our stomach fuller for a longer duration and decrease our urge to eat again and again.
This controls overeating, a major cause of obesity.
Guava regulates our metabolism and allows our body to burn calories efficiently.
Eating guava is an efficient way of nourishing the body without worrying about adding too many calories.
(2) Regulates Blood Sugar
Guava helps in managing diabetes as it has a low glycemic index of 12.
It releases sugar into the bloodstream at a slow speed and prevents a sudden spike in blood sugar levels.
Dietary fibers in guava regulate the rate at which sugar is absorbed by the bloodstream, and helps in managing diabetes.
Eat guavas in moderation as overeating guavas may drop blood sugar below the normal level, and give rise to irregular heartbeat, fast heartbeat, fatigue, pale skin, shakiness, anxiety, sweating, hunger, and irritability, etc.
If you take diabetic medication, consult your doctor before adding guava to your diet to avoid food-drug intolerance risk.
source-Pixabay.com(3) Maintain Ocular Health
Guava maintains our ocular health as antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and flavonoids, etc in guava protects our eyes from free radical damage.
This reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma, etc.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that keeps our eyes healthy, prevents dryness of the eyes, and reduces the risk of night-blindness.
[irp]
(4) Protection Against Cancer(s)
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other relevant compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in guava protects our cells and tissues from free radical damage.
By protecting our cells from free radical damage, it reduces the risk of various cancers such as colon cancer, rectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, abdominal cancer, and intestinal cancer, etc.
Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant present in the guava prevents the growth and development of cancerous cells.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
(5) Protection Against Scurvy
Vitamin C in guava reduces the risk of scurvy which can give rise to symptoms like bleeding or swollen gums, joint pain, weakness or fatigue, red spots, swelling in wounds, the opening of unhealed wounds, etc.
Guava has about 4 times more vitamin C ( 228.3 mg vitamin C per 100 grams of guava) than orange ( 53.2 mg vitamin C per 100-grams orange).
(6) Provides Relief From Diarrhea & Dysentery
The astringent property of guava improves bowel movement and reduces diarrhea symptoms.
The antibacterial and alkaline nature of the guava helps in curing dysentery by preventing the growth of microbes, and by removing excess mucus out of the intestines.
[irp]
(7) Maintains Thyroid Health
Copper present in the guava helps in maintaining our thyroid health as it regulates the production and absorption of the thyroxine hormone responsible for thyroid metabolism.
Thyroid hormone regulates our metabolic rate and reduces the risk of thyroid disorders.
(8) Improve Digestive Health
Vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, etc in guava protect our digestive system from free radical damage.
It reduces the risk of several cancers like colon cancer, intestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and abdominal cancer.
Dietary fibers in guava are natural laxatives that improve bowel movement, relieve constipation, and other gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating, and, flatulence, etc.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium, and folate, etc in guava also play a significant role in improving our digestive health.
(9) Good For Brain
Vitamin C and other antioxidants in guava protect our brain cells aka neurons from free radical damage and improves our neurological health.
It reduces the risk of various neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amnesia, and dementia, etc.
Vitamin B3 in guava increases blood flow and stimulates cognitive functions.
Vitamin B6 in guava improves nerve health and helps with concentration.
Other nutrients like zinc, potassium, iron, magnesium and other B vitamins in guava improves cognitive functions such as sharper memory, better focus, reduced brain fog or confusion.
[irp]
(10) Strengthen Immune System
Guava strengthens our immune system, the defense mechanism of the body that prevents and treats various microbial infections, diseases, injuries, and wounds, etc.
Vitamin C and other antioxidants like flavonoids, etc in guava protects our immune cells or white blood cells from free radical damage and strengthens immunity.
Vitamin C enhances white blood cells production and further strengthens immunity.
Strengthening our immune system reduces the risk of a cough, cold, fever, flu, etc.
Because of its antibacterial and astringent properties, drinking juice of raw or immature guava reduces mucus by cleaning the respiratory tract, throat, and lungs.
Guava protects from various bacterial, viral, and fungal infections because of its antimicrobial properties.
Zinc, potassium, magnesium, and B vitamins in guava also contribute to immune health.
(11) Manages Blood Pressure
Eating guavas in moderation regulates high blood pressure, a common condition that affects millions of people around the world and is a leading cause of cardiovascular and other health problems.
Potassium present in guava ( 417 mg potassium per 100 grams of guava) is a natural vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and provides relief from hypertension or high blood pressure.
Guava improves sodium-potassium levels in the body and keeps blood pressure under control.
Eat guavas moderately as otherwise too much potassium may drop blood pressure below the healthy range, and cause dizziness, fainting, nausea, dehydration, lack of concentration, blurred vision, and pale skin, etc.
If you take blood pressure medication, eat guavas after consulting with your doctor to avoid food-drug interference.
(12) Helps In Cholesterol Management
Guava helps in cholesterol management as the dietary fibers in them reduce LDL cholesterol.
This reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, a leading cause of various cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.
Atherosclerosis is a condition that hardens and narrows our arteries due to the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits in arterial walls.
(13) Promotes Heart Health
Guava promotes heart health as vitamin C, and other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, etc protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.
Potassium in guava improves blood circulation and regulates high blood pressure, a major cause of cardiovascular problems.
Dietary fibers in guava reduce LDL cholesterol and minimize the risk of atherosclerosis, a prime cause of heart problems.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium and B vitamins in guava also contribute to a healthy heart.
(14) Eating Guava During Pregnancy
Moderate intake of guava helps in maintaining a healthy pregnancy because of its rich nutritious profile of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, polyphenols, and dietary fibers, etc.
Vitamin C and other antioxidants in guava protect the fetus from free radical damage.
Folic acid in guava promotes the brain development of the fetus and reduces the risk of neural tube defects and spina bifida.
With a low glycemic index of 12, guava regulates blood sugar levels and is beneficial for managing gestational diabetes often experienced by some women during the 24th-28th week of pregnancy.
Other nutrients like potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, copper, and B vitamins in guava also contribute to maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
However, add guava to your diet only after consulting with your doctor to ensure there is no complication or food-drug intolerance risk.
Stick with the doctor’s recommendation, and don’t overconsume.
[irp]
(15) Maintains Oral Health
The astringent properties of guava tighten our gums and keep them healthy.
Because of their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, chewing guava leaves provide relief from toothache, swollen gums, and oral ulcers.
The antimicrobial properties of guava protect our gums and teeth from microbial infections.
(16) Natural Stress Buster
Unmanaged stress can give rise to various physical, mental, and emotional health problems.
Magnesium in guava relaxes our muscles and nerves and relieves stress and anxiety.
Other B vitamins like vitamin B3 and vitamin B6 also help in stress management.
(17) Promotes Absorption of Nutrients
Manganese in guava promotes the absorption of essential nutrients like biotin, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, potassium, and other nutrients from the food we eat.
Beauty Benefits Of Guava For Skin And Hair
Following are the major beauty benefits of guava for skin and hair.
(1) Provides Relief From Acne & Dark Spots
Accumulation of toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances in our skin pores may give rise to skin problems like acne and pimples.
Vitamin C and dietary fibers in guava remove toxins from our system and prevents them from getting clogged up in our skin pores.
This reduces the risk of skin problems like acne and pimples.
Dietary fibers regulate the secretion of excess oil from our skin glands and prevent acne from worsening.
Guava can also be used topically for treating acne and dark spots.
For this, add water to powdered guava leaves to make a fine paste.
Apply this paste on the affected area, and rinse off with water after 10-15 minutes.
Pat dry with a soft cloth.
(2) Removes Blackheads
Excessive body oil, the buildup of P. Acne bacteria ( Propionibacterium acnes), and clogging of hair follicles by dead skin cells are some common causes of blackheads.
Guava helps in treating blackheads as the antimicrobial properties of guava protect our hair follicles and scalp from various bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
Dietary fibers in guava regulate the secretion of excess oil and prevent toxins from getting clogged up in the scalp.
To get rid of blackheads, grind guava leaves with water to form a paste.
Use this paste to scrub off blackheads.
(3) Prevents Premature Ageing
Antioxidants like vitamin C, phytonutrients, and flavonoids, etc in guava protect our skin cells from free radical damage.
This reduces fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, dark spots, and other signs of premature aging.
Free radicals are unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
Vitamin C in guava enhances collagen production.
Collagen is an essential amino acid that maintains skin elasticity and prevents wrinkles and skin sagging.
(4) Relieves Allergies And Itching
The anti-allergic properties of guava provide relief from allergies such as skin rashes and itching.
Because of its antimicrobial properties, guava protects our skin from various bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
(5) Improves Skin Complexion
Guava improves skin complexion as vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in guava keep our skin healthy and improve skin complexion.
Vitamin C and other antioxidants in guava protect our skin cells from free radical damage and brings out the natural glow of the skin.
To improve skin complexion, add an egg yolk to mashed guava flesh to form a paste.
Apply it on the face, and rinse off with warm water after 20 minutes.
Use twice a week to get rid of dead skin cells, and for lightening skin complexion.
(6) Protects From Harmful UV Rays
UVB rays of the sun interact with the cholesterol in our skin to produce vitamin D. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that promotes calcium absorption, regulates blood pressure, improves cognitive function, and keeps our heart healthy.
However, prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays may cause oxidative damage to our skin and give rise to wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis, and solar elastosis.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, etc in guava protect our skin from harmful UV rays of the sun and reduces the risk of skin cancer.
Guava pulp can be applied topically to reduce the pain and inflammation of sunburn.
[irp]
(7) Wonderful Natural Skin Toner
Guava is a wonderful natural skin toner that enhances our skin texture, tightens our skin, and maintains skin elasticity.
Nutrients like vitamins and minerals in guava provide nourishment to our skin and keep it healthy.
Vitamin C, and other relevant compounds like phytonutrients, etc in guava protect our skin from free radical damage.
Doing so, keep fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, dark spots, and other signs of premature aging at bay.
Vitamin C enhances collagen, an amino acid that maintains skin elasticity and prevents wrinkles and skin sagging.
Because of its astringent property, guava tightens our skin pores.
(8) Hydrates Our Skin
Guava keeps our skin hydrated because of the abundance of water in it.
Water plays an important role in our skin health and lack of it may cause skin dryness, build up toxins in skin pores, and other skin problems.
Guava moisturizes the skin and promotes the growth of new skin cells.
Vitamins and minerals in guava nourish our skin and make it soft, supple, and, radiant.
(9) Helps In Treating Skin Problems
Guava helps in treating various skin problems like skin redness, skin irritation, and itching because of its rich nutritious profile.
Vitamin C in guava protects the skin from free radical damage and keeps signs of premature aging like fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and, dark spots, etc at bay.
Vitamin K in guava improves blood coagulation and helps treat dark circles, spider veins, rosacea, and acne irritation.
Dietary fibers in guava also help with acne treatment as it prevents toxins and other impurities from getting clogged up in the skin pores, and regulates oil secretion from glands of the skin.
(10) For Treating Hair Loss
Guava helps with hair loss as the nutrients in guava provide nourishment to our hair follicles and scalp and reduces hair fall risk.
Antioxidants like vitamin C and other compounds like flavonoids in guava protect our hair from free radical damage and keep premature greying of hair, split ends, dry hair, etc at bay.
Nutrients in guava strengthen our hair, and strong hair is less likely to suffer from hair fall risk.
Both consuming, as well as the topical application, is beneficial for treating hair loss.
For treating hair loss, do as follows.
- Boil some guava leaves in one-liter water for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Turn off the burner, and strain the liquid for some time.
- Let it come to room temperature, and apply to hair follicles and scalp.
- Wash off after 15-20 minutes.
Disclaimer
The information contained in the post is for general purpose only and shouldn’t be considered as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice. Although I’ve tried my best to keep the information contained in this post as accurate and updated as possible, I make no guarantee of the accurateness of the same.
P.S- Consider sharing this post, if you find it useful and/or interesting.
