Guava fruit and leaves are high in key nutrients like vitamin C and potassium, which may benefit heart health, digestion, and other bodily functions.
Guava trees originated in Central America and yield oval-shaped fruits with light green or yellow skin and tasty seeds.
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Guava leaves are commonly prepared into herbal tea, and the leaf extract is utilised in supplements.
The fruit contains antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, and fibre, which provide numerous health benefits.
Here are eight research-backed health advantages of guava fruits and leaves.
1. May help reduce blood sugar levels
Guava has demonstrated potential for improving blood sugar control.
Several test-tube and animal investigations have shown that guava leaf extract lowers blood sugar levels, improves long-term management, and reduces insulin resistance. This is encouraging for people who have diabetes or are at risk.
Human research have also had good outcomes. In one study, 19 people who drank guava leaf tea after a meal reported reduced blood sugar levels for up to two hours.
Another research of 20 persons with type 2 diabetes discovered that the tea lowers post-meal blood sugar levels by more than 10%.
2. May Improve Heart Health
Guava can improve heart health in a variety of ways. Guava leaves are high in antioxidants and vitamins, which may protect the heart from free radical damage.
Guavas are also high in potassium and soluble fibre, both of which have been linked to improved heart health.
Guava leaf extract has been associated with lower blood pressure, lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, and higher “good” HDL cholesterol.
Given that high blood pressure and higher LDL cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, guava leaf extract may have significant heart health advantages.
A study of 120 people discovered that eating ripe guava before meals dramatically decreased blood pressure and cholesterol while raising HDL cholesterol levels.
3. May help alleviate painful menstrual symptoms
Guava leaf extract may help alleviate the pain of menstruation.
A study of 197 women with unpleasant menstruation symptoms found that consuming 6 mg of guava leaf extract daily reduced pain intensity significantly, surpassing several medications.
Guava leaf extract may also aid with uterine cramps.
4. May improve digestive health
Guavas are high in dietary fibre, which helps digestion and reduces constipation.
A single guava contains 12% of the necessary daily fibre intake.
Guava leaf extract may also benefit digestive health by decreasing the severity and duration of diarrhoea.
It contains antibacterial qualities that neutralise the harmful bacteria in the intestines that cause diarrhoea.
5. May aid in weight loss
Guavas are an excellent food for weight loss. Guavas are a low-calorie, satisfying food that contains only 37 calories per fruit and 12% of your daily fibre requirements.
They’re also high in critical vitamins and minerals, so you won’t lose out on important nutrients while losing weight.
6. May have anticancer properties
Guava leaf extract has shown antitumor activity.
Test-tube and animal studies reveal that it can prevent and limit the formation of cancer cells, most likely due to its high antioxidant content, which protects cells from free radical damage, a major cause of cancer.
According to one study, guava leaf oil is four times as effective at inhibiting cancer cell development than certain cancer medications.
However, more research is required to corroborate these findings in humans.
7. May boost immunity
Guavas are one of the best sources of vitamin C, which is essential for immunological function.
One guava has roughly double the daily recommended dose of vitamin C—nearly twice the amount found in oranges.
Vitamin C boosts the immune system and protects against infections; while it does not prevent the common cold, it can shorten its duration.
Guavas have antibacterial qualities that help resist dangerous bacteria and viruses.
8. May Benefit Your Skin
Guavas are high in vitamins and antioxidants, which may help protect your skin from harm and reduce the ageing process. This can assist to avoid wrinkles.
Guava leaf extract, when applied directly to the skin, may also help treat acne. Its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory qualities can destroy acne-causing germs.
Conclusion
Guavas are a tasty and nutritious tropical fruit that can be an important element of a healthy diet.
They provide a variety of health benefits because to their low calorie and high fibre content.
Extracts from guava fruit and leaves may benefit heart health, digestion, immunological function, and other conditions.
