Guava is a delicious tropical fruit, high in vitamin C, and a great source of dietary fiber. Both the fleshy fruit of the guava plant and the leaves are edible, with the fruit most often eaten as a snack and the leaves commonly boiled into an herbal tea.

The texture of guavas is similar to pears but with a little more crunch.

In addition to vitamin C (higher than oranges) and fiber, this tropical fruit is rich in antioxidants and contains large amounts of iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin A.

Here are some health benefits of guavas.

1. Improve digestion

One of the key nutrients found in guava is fiber. If you often face issues such as diarrhoea and constipation, guava is a high-fiber option to mitigate gastrointestinal issues and optimize digestion.

Therefore, eating more guavas may aid healthy bowel movements and prevent constipation. Guava seeds, if ingested whole or chewed, serve as excellent laxatives too, helping the formation of healthy bowel movements.

Additionally, guava leaf extract may benefit digestive health. Several studies have also shown that guava leaf extract is antimicrobial. This means that it can neutralize harmful microbes in your gut that can cause diarrhoea.

2. Relieve painful periods

Women who have painful menstrual cramps may want to give the guava leaf a try. Studies found that guava leaf extract was more effective than painkillers at dealing with menstrual cramps. There is some evidence that guava leaf extract may reduce the pain intensity of menstrual cramps.

3. Improve your immune system

Guava is bursting with vitamin C, which is critical for maintaining immune health. One guava contains more than twice the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps improve immunity and protects you against common infections and pathogens. Moreover, it keeps your eyes and skin healthy.

4. Lowers Risk of Cancer

Guava is rich in lycopene, quercetin, vitamin C and other polyphenols (Polyphenols are reducing agents, and together with other dietary reducing agents protect the body’s tissues against oxidative stress and associated pathologies such as cancers, coronary heart disease and inflammation.) that act as potent antioxidants which neutralize free radicals generated in the body, preventing the growth of cancer cells.

5. Heart Healthy

   Guava fruit helps improve the sodium and potassium balance of the body, thereby regulating blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Guavas also help lower the levels of triglycerides and bad cholesterol (LDL), which contribute to the development of heart disease. This magical fruit improves levels of the good cholesterol (HDL). The high content of sodium and potassium present in guava regulates your blood pressure, and is particularly helpful for those who suffer from hypertension.

How to Eat Guava

• The easiest way to consume guava is to eat them as they are. The entire fruit, along with the seeds and the skin, is edible. You can bite into the whole fruit like pears or slice them.
• You can consume guavas with chilli powder or pepper and salt. Slice up the guavas and sprinkle some chilli powder and salt on its flesh. The spicy and salty flavour perfectly complements the fruit’s sweetness.
• Pair up guavas with other fruits to increase the potency of your fruit platter. Cut the guavas with other fruits and add them to a fruit salad.
• Guava juice is an excellent alternative to eating fruit. The mildly sweet taste and the soft flesh make it a good option for blending juices
• You can grind guava pieces with some milk to make smoothies. Add other fruits to enrich your smoothie.