The Good Guavas Do
By Paromeeta Ray
Category: health
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A fruit we often miss out in our fruit basket is guava. But, we may no longer do so if we come to know about the good guavas do to us.
Benefits of guavas:
a) 100 gm of guava contains as much as 180 mg of Vitamin C, which is the highest Vitamin C content among all citrus fruits.
b) Guavas are rich in Vitamin A as well.
c) Guavas are an excellent source of Iron, Calcium, Phosphorus and Potassium.
d) They are a very good source of dietary fiber.
e) They have hypoglycemic qualities and help in fighting diabetes.
f) Consumption of the entire fruit helps in the lowering of cholesterol and high blood pressure levels thus improving the health of the heart.
g) The fruits are highly effective in easing constipation.
h) They also protect prostate and battle cancer.
i) Guava leaf decoction is a tropical herbal mouthwash effective in reducing toothaches and gum problems.
j) The decoction also helps in bronchitis and colds.
k) The astringent properties of the leaves, bark, roots and unripe fruits help in arresting diarrhea, dysentery, gastroenteritis and also vomiting of people suffering from cholera.
l) The leaf extract is rich in flavonoids like quercetin and helps in treating gastrointestinal disorders.
m) Guavas are good sources of both the major categories of antioxidant pigments like polyphenols and carotenoids and hence have an excellent dietary antioxidant value in the plant food kingdom.
n) The fruits are also rich in omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
o) Medical research has revealed strong anti-cancer quality in the essential oils extracted from guava leaves.
Nutritional facts of one serving of guava, i.e. 100 gm of its edible portion:
Fat: 0.1 – 0.5 gm
Calories: 36 – 50 gm
Carbohydrates: 9.5 – 10 gm
Iron: 0.3 – 0.7 mg
Vitamin C: 165 – 180 mg
Vitamin A: 200 – 400 IU
Riboflavin: 0.03 – 0.04 mg
Protein: 0.9 – 1 gm
Fiber: 2.8 – 5.5 gm
Phosphorus: 17.8 – 30 gm
Calcium: 9.1 – 17 gm
Often referred as the “Indian Apple”, guava has earned the status of a “super-fruit” due to its rich and diverse nutrient content.