Guava is one of the many tropical fruits that are known to originate in Central America. It is available in green or yellow skin color with edible small seeds inside. Aside from its fruit that is known for the health benefits of guava, its leaves are being used in traditional medicine as herbal tea. In Asian countries, it is used as a flavor enhancer and aroma in some native dishes. Today, guava is coined as one of the many “superfruit” because of its wide range of health benefits.
It can be eaten raw or as an ingredient to a dish and you can get your daily dose of guava nutrition that your body needs for optimum health.
1. It may Lower Sugar Level
Its effect on the blood sugar level comes from the leave. Evidence is showing that guava can improve the level of sugar in the bloodstream. Some test-tube studies using the extract from guava leaves shown significant improvement in blood sugar control, insulin resistance, and level of sugar in the body. These guava benefits are good news for people suffering from diabetes.
A human study in 19 people and guava leaf tea resulted in a low blood sugar level right after taking a meal. Another human trial in 20 type 2 diabetic individuals found out that guava leaf tea lessens their blood sugar level by 10% after a meal. These researches suggest that guava good for you in terms of lowering blood sugar levels but it is important to consult your doctor before taking any supplement.
2. Improve Heart Health
There are numerous ways to acquire the health benefits of guava for heart health. Its antioxidant content, fiber, and vitamins that can be found in guava leaves are very effective in protecting the heart from free radicals. Also, its potassium as well as the soluble fiber found in guava fruit is a great contributor to a healthy heart.
The leaves extract is known to aid in lowering LDL or bad cholesterol. The fruit itself according to a study in 120 people who ate ripe guava before meals for 12 weeks resulted in an amazing decrease in their blood pressure by 8 to 9 points and reduced cholesterol level by 9.9 percent and an increase in HDL or good cholesterol by 8 percent.
3. Relieves Pain from Premenstrual Syndrome
It is common for women to experience dysmenorrhea or painful muscle cramps during their menstrual period. Some studies have shown evidence that linked drinking guava leaf extract in reducing the intensity of pain during menstrual cramps.
It is good to know that guava nutrition can help take away the pain according to a study with 197 women experiencing painful symptoms who took 6 mg of extract from guava leaves shown a huge reduction to the intensity of pain. It is found out that the leaf extract is more effective in comparison to over the counter pain killers.
4. Help in Better Digestion
Eating guava is also proven effective to relieve constipation and promote healthy bowel movement. One serving of guava fruit offers 12% of the RDI or recommended daily intake of fiber. Some researchers also suggest guava to decrease intensity as well as the length of diarrhea. Several scientific studies have proven guava benefits for neutralizing harmful microbes due to its antimicrobial properties.
5. Promote Weight Loss
For overweight and obese individuals, eating guava will not take much of your recommended calories per day. The fruit only has 37 calories or only 12 percent of daily recommended fiber a day, so it is safe to say that guava good for you for weight loss. It is a healthy substitute for your regular snack to avoid eating too much sweet.
6. Offer an Anticancer Effect
There are several test tubes as well as animal studies that provide significant results in preventing the growth of cancer cells from guava leaf extract. The antioxidant content of the leaves is the main reason for the health benefits of guava in fighting free radicals. A test-tube study done on guava oil from leaves showed a greater effect in stopping cancer cells from growing by about four times compared to other anticancer drugs.
