Content
Guava is a fruit with great nutritional value and medicinal properties that guarantee several health benefits due to the fact that it is rich in vitamin C, A and B. Its scientific name isPsidium guajava, it has a sweet taste and its pulp can be pink, white, red, yellow or orange.
This tropical fruit can be found in the regions of Central and South America and is low in calories, so it can be a good option to include in the weight loss diet. In addition, it favors digestion because it is rich in fiber, being excellent for treating gastrointestinal problems.
The main health benefits of guava are:
1. Improves digestion
Guava is a fruit rich in fiber that stimulates bowel movements, improving digestion. In addition, when eaten with peel, it helps to fight stomach acidity, being excellent for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers.
2. Treat diarrhea
This fruit has astringent, antispasmodic and antimicrobial properties that help to reduce both diarrhea and abdominal pain and the possible microorganisms responsible for diarrhea. In addition, it can also be consumed to treat gastroenteritis and childhood dysentery.
The antidiarrheal properties are due to the high concentration of tannins, and should be avoided by those who have constipation.
3. Antioxidants
Because it is rich in antioxidants, such as lycopene and vitamin C, it helps to prevent cell aging, as it prevents the damage caused by free radicals, as well as prevents the appearance of some types of cancer, such as prostate cancer, for example. .
In addition, vitamin C can also help strengthen the body's immunity, making it more resistant to viruses and bacteria and facilitating the absorption of iron in the diet, helping to prevent or treat anemia when consumed in conjunction with rich foods in iron.
4. Favors weight loss
Each guava has about 54 calories and can be consumed in a diet to reduce weight as a dessert or snack, since it is also rich in pectin, a type of fiber that favors the feeling of satiety, naturally reducing hunger.
5. Take care of skin health
Eating guava, especially red or pink, is excellent for the skin as it contains large amounts of lycopene, an antioxidant that helps maintain skin health and prevent premature aging.
6. Decrease bad cholesterol
Guava is rich in soluble fibers such as pectin and rich in vitamin C. Soluble fibers facilitate the elimination of cholesterol through feces, reducing its absorption, decreasing its amount in the blood and favoring its excretion in bile.
Nutritional information of guava
The following table shows the nutritional information for each 100 grams of white guava and red guava:
Components per 100 grams | White guava | Red guava |
Energy | 52 calories | 54 calories |
Proteins | 0.9 g | 1.1 g |
Fats | 0.5 g | 0.4 g |
Carbohydrates | 12.4 g | 13 g |
Fibers | 6.3 g | 6.2 g |
Vitamin A (retinol) | - | 38 mcg |
Vitamin B1 | traits | 0.05 mg |
Vitamin B2 | traits | 0.05 mg |
Vitamin B3 | traits | 1.20 mg |
Vitamin C | 99.2 mg | 80.6 mg |
Calcium | 5 mg | 4 mg |
Phosphor | 16 mg | 15 mg |
Iron | 0.2 mg | 0.2 mg |
Magnesium | 7 mg | 7 mg |
Potassium | 220 mg | 198 mg |
How to consume
Guava can be consumed whole, in juices, vitamins, jams or in the form of ice cream. In addition, with leaves it is also possible to prepare teas.
The recommended portion for consumption is 1 unit of about 150 grams per day. Here's how to prepare some simple guava recipes:
1. Guava juice
Ingredients
- 2 guavas;
- 1 tablespoon of mint;
- ½ liter of water
Preparation mode
Remove the guava skin and beat the blender with the other ingredients. This juice can be drunk up to 2 times a day.
2. Guava tea
Ingredients
- 15 g of guava leaves;
- ½ liter of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Add the leaves and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Then let it warm, strain and drink 2 to 3 times a day. This tea can also be used to make a sitz bath, to treat vaginal infections caused by trichomoniasis or candidiasis, due to its antimicrobial properties.