Guavas are plants in the Myrtle family (Myrtaceae) genus Psidium. The term “guava” appears to derive from the Arawak (indigenous peoples of the Caribbean) guayabo “guava tree”, via the Spanish guayaba. Another term for guavas is pera, derived from pear derived from Spanish or Portuguese common to regions around the western Indian Ocean. Amrood is another term used in Indian subcontinent and Middle East, possibly deriving from armoot meaning “pear” in Arabic and Turkish languages. In Egypt, it is called gawafa.
Classified as a berry by most botanists, each guava berry is covered by a rough green rind that turns yellow when ripe. The pulp inside occurs in colors of white, pink, or red with numerous tiny, semi-hard edible seeds, concentrated especially at its center. The fruit is soft when ripe with sweet musky aroma and creamy in texture. Ripe fruits have rich flavor with sweet-tart taste.
The early Spanish explorers of the 1500′s found Strawberry Guava, ‘Acca sellowiana O.,’ growing as a native tree in America, where they were firmly established from Mexico southward to Peru. They are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Guavas are now cultivated and naturalized throughout the tropics and subtropics in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, subtropical regions of North America, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia and Spain.
TOP 20 HEALTH BENEFITS OF GUAVA:
- Relieves Diarrhea & Dysentery: Astringents, in guava, are alkaline in nature and have disinfectant and anti-bacterial properties, inhibiting microbial growth and removing extra mucus from the intestines. Other nutrients such as vitamin-C, Carotenoids and potassium, strengthen and tone the digestive system.
- Eye Care: Vitamin A or retinol slows down the appearance of cataracts, macular degeneration, and prevents degradation of eyesight and night blindness.
- Brain Health: Guavas contain Vitamin B3 and Vitamin B6 (niacin and pyridoxine), which helps in improving blood circulation to the brain, relaxing your nerves and stimulating cognitive function.
- Regulates thyroid: Guavas contain the trace element Copper which regulates thyroid metabolism, helping to control hormone production and absorption.
- Diabetics cure: Rich in fibre and with a low glycaemic index, guavas, help to regulate the absorption of sugar by the body and can be consumed for prevention and cure of Type 2 diabetes.
- Effective Laxative: Constipation is caused when food is stuck in our colon. Guava, super rich in fibre, aids the body in retaining water and thoroughly cleaning your intestines and excretory system.
- Nervous Relaxant: Guava is magnesium rich food which acts as a nervous relaxant. It helps to relax muscles and nerves of the body.
- For pregnant mothers: Guavas contain Folic acid, or Vitamin B-9, which is recommended for pregnant women since it can help in developing the foetus’s nervous system and protect the newborn from neurological disorders.
- For Fertility: Guavas contain good amount of Folate which help to boost fertility in humans.
- Speeds Absorption: Being rich in Manganese, Guavas help the body in quick absorption of key nutrients like biotin, vitamins, minerals from the food that we eat.
- Immunity Booster: Vitamin C provides a huge boost in antioxidants, which are the major lines of defense against the proliferation of free radicals in the body.
- Infection Control:Relieves coughs and colds by reducing mucus, disinfecting the respiratory tract, throat and lungs, and inhibiting microbial activity with its astringent properties.
- Aids Weight loss: Guava is very rich in vitamins, proteins, fibre and minerals and has no cholesterol and a very low number of digestible carbohydrates.
- Cancer Cure: Being rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants like Lycopene, eating guavas can protect your cells from damage and reduce chances of prostate, breast, and oral cancers.
- Skin Care: Vitamins, minerals and nutrients, in conjunction with Guava’s astringent property, help keep your skin toned, hydrated, improves elasticity, removes blemishes, acne, dark spots, blackheads, wrinkles and pimples.
- Scurvy Buster: A deficiency of vitamin-C can cause scurvy, and proper intake of super vitamin-C rich guavas are the best remedy for this dangerous disease.
- Anti-ageing: Guavas are rich in Vitamin A, B, C and potassium which are good antioxidants and detoxifiers. Lycopene and carotene protect the healthy cells from toxins and UV rays rendering your skin wrinkles free.
- Blood pressure Stabilizer: Potassium in Guava helps to reduce cholesterol in the blood and prevents it from thickening, thereby maintaining the fluidity of blood and reducing blood pressure.
- Combats Hair Loss: Rich in vitamin C, guava helps promote healthy hair growth. It also helps in combating hair loss problems.
- Oral Care: The juice of guava leaves has been known to cure toothaches, swollen gums & oral ulcers, and the juice speeds up the healing power of wounds when applied externally.
Side Effects and Precautions:
No side effects have been reported for excessive consumption of guava. But herbal supplements derived from the plant and fruits need to be taken under medical supervision.
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