Apart from being a tasty fruit, there are a number of health benefits of guava. Experts often recommend using this nutritious fruit in the treatment of problems like diabetes, acne, piles, weight loss, hair problems, and a number of infertility issues. Enlisted below are some of the detailed health benefits of guava for the treatment of specific disorders.
Acne:
Guavas not only help improve the texture of the skin, they also help prevent a number of skin problems like acne, boils, and pimples. Guavas are rich in astringents that help in tightening both the muscles and skin in the facial region. They even help tighten and tone loose skin. Being a rich source of vitamins and minerals, guavas contain powerful detoxifies and antioxidants that help guard against acne, wrinkles, boils, and various other skin related disorders.
Diabetes:
Guavas not only help lower the risk of diabetes, they are also good for people suffering from diabetes. Guavas help slow down the sugar absorption in the body and are therefore highly beneficial to diabetic patients. Being a rich source of fiber, guavas lower the risk of developing type-II diabetes.
Weight loss:
Guavas are a great remedy for weight loss as they are free of cholesterol and contain a very low percentage of digestible carbohydrates. On the other hand, they are a rich source of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals and assist in weight loss without having to compromise on the required essential nutrients. Furthermore, they boost digestion and metabolism that helps in achieving effective weight loss.
Eye sight:
Guavas are extremely good sources of vitamin A, which is well known as a booster for vision health. It can help slow down the appearance of cataracts, macular degeneration (a painless eye condition that causes you to lose central vision, usually in both eyes), and general health of the eyes. It can not only prevent degradation of eyesight, but even an improvement in eyesight once it has begun to degrade.
Cough & cold:
Boiling the leaves is very helpful in relieving coughs and colds by reducing mucus, disinfecting the respiratory tract, throat and lungs, and inhibiting microbial activity with its astringent properties. Guava has one of the highest quantities of vitamin C and iron among fruits, and both are proven to be preventive against colds and viral infections.
High blood pressure:
Guava helps reduce cholesterol in the blood and prevents it from thickening, thereby maintaining the fluidity of blood and reducing blood pressure. Studies have shown that food lacking fiber (such as refined flour) add to blood pressure, due to its quick conversion to sugar. Guava, being very rich in fiber and hypoglycemic in nature, helps reduce blood pressure.
Brain Health:
Another of the tremendous positive benefits of guavas is the presence of vitamin B3 and vitamin B6. B3 (also known as niacin) can increase blood flow and stimulates cognitive function. B6 is a great nutrient for brain and nerve function. Therefore, eating guava can help you increase brain function and sharpen you focus.
Constipation:
Guava is one of the richest sources of dietary fiber in terms of fruit. Its seeds, if ingested whole or chewed, serve as excellent laxatives. These two properties of guava help the formation of healthy bowel movements, and aid the body in retaining water and thoroughly cleaning your intestines and excretory system.
Diarrhea & dysentery:
Guava is very rich in astringents (compounds that make your gums feel tighter and fresher). After you chew guava leaves, eat a raw guava, or use some guava-based toothpaste), your mouth feels healthier, and the astringent qualities also add substance to loose bowels and reduce symptoms of diarrhea.
These astringents are alkaline in nature and have disinfectant and anti-bacterial properties, thus helping to cure dysentery by inhibiting microbial growth and removing extra mucus from the intestines. Furthermore, other nutrients in guava such as vitamin C, Carotenoids and potassium, strengthen and tone the digestive system while simultaneously disinfecting it.
Thyroid Health:
They are a good source for copper, which is an important part of regulating thyroid metabolism by helping to control hormone production and absorption. The thyroid gland is one of the most important glands in the body for regulating hormones and organ system function, so guava can help balance your health in many ways.
Cancer Prevention:
One of the most celebrated and important benefits of adding guava to your diet is its ability to inhibit the growth and metastasis of cancerous cells. There have been numerous studies done in recent years on guava’s effects primarily on prostate cancer, breast cancer, and oral cancers. Guava leaf oil is extremely successful as an anti-proliferative substance.
The naturally high levels of vitamin C in guavas, which are four times higher than the levels found in oranges (the traditional vitamin C powerhouse), provides the immune system a huge boost in antioxidants. Antioxidants are the major lines of defense against the proliferation of free radicals in the body, which are one of the main causes of serious conditions like cancer and heart disease.
This post originally appeared on: Organic Facts
