Guava fruits may be round, pear-shaped or ovoid. These tropical fruits are soft when ripe and some are crunchy in texture with edible rind and seeds. The varieties come in white, yellow, pink, and even red. Its seeds range between 100 and 500 per fruit.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF GUAVA
Guava has a high vitamin C content. Compared to an average-sized orange, one guava fruit contains four times more vitamin C as well as ten times more vitamin A than lemon.
Furthermore, guava has almost 70 times more fiber than can be found in an orange. Other nutrients found in this fruit are calcium, iron, folate, vitamins B2 and E, copper, potassium, phosphorus, and manganese.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF GUAVA
Due to the high vitamin C content of guava, it can combat free radicals and oxidation that can cause many degenerative diseases.
Cancer
The antioxidant content of guavas is believed to help lessen the risk of cancers of the larynx, pancreas, stomach, oral cavity, and esophagus.
Vision
The presence of high levels of vitamin A in guava has a significant role in maintaining the health and quality of eyesight, bones, teeth, skin, and mucous membranes.
Heart Disease
Drinking guava juice or just simply eating guava regularly helps keep heart diseases at bay.
Constipation
The fiber in guavas aids in digestion and ease bowel movements.
Diverticulitis
The insoluble fiber is beneficial in preventing and treating diverticulitis, a condition wherein the pouches formed in the wall of the colon gets infected or inflamed.
Cholesterol
The vitamin C in guava makes absorption of vitamin E much more effective in increasing the (good) HDL cholesterol and reducing the oxidation of the LDL cholesterol.
CONSUMPTION TIPS
Choose guavas that are fully ripe so that it is easier and softer. You can cut it into bite-size and dip into prune powder to make healthy snacks.
Before you really see its healthful effects, you may need to eat many pounds of guava. One of the best ways to take advantage of all its wonders is to juice them and drink them regularly.
To juice them, choose the riper ones or the softer varieties. Cut them into smaller pieces. Most people choose pink guavas as they are generally juicier and easy on the juicer.
