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Tropical guavas have their origins in Central America.
The fruits are round and have a thin, pale green or yellow skin containing edible seeds. Furthermore, the leaves can be brewed into an herbal tea, and their extract can be taken as a dietary supplement.
Antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber are particularly abundant in guava fruits. They gain greatly from the extraordinary nutrient content.
Here are eight ways in which guava fruits and leaves boost your health, supported by scientific research.
Table of Contents
1. It Has the Potential to Aid in Reducing Blood Sugar Levels
Researchers have shown that guava may help with glucose regulation.
Multiple in vitro and animal investigations demonstrated that guava leaf extract lowered glucose levels, enhanced glycemic control, and reduced insulin resistance.
Drinking guava leaf tea after a meal has been shown to reduce glucose levels in a small research including 19 subjects. For up to two hours, it worked like a charm.
Guava leaf tea was found to reduce post-meal blood sugar levels in a separate research of 20 persons with type 2 diabetes by more than 10%.
2. It May Improve Cardiovascular Health
There are a number of methods in which guavas may benefit cardiovascular health.
Many researchers have found that the high levels of antioxidants and vitamins in guava leaves can help reduce the risk of free radical damage to the heart.
Guavas are thought to boost heart health due to their elevated potassium and soluble fiber content.
Researchers have found that taking guava leaf extract can help reduce blood pressure, lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, and increase “good” HDL cholesterol.
Taking guava leaf extract may be beneficial because high blood pressure and LDL cholesterol are associated with increased risks of heart disease and stroke.
Researchers observed that after 12 weeks, participants who ate ripe guava before meals had lower blood pressure by 8-9 points, lower total cholesterol by 9.9 percent, and an increase in “good” HDL cholesterol of 8 percent.
3. May Help Relieve Painful Symptoms of Menstruation
On the other hand, guava leaf extract has shown promise in easing the agony of menstrual cramps.
Taking 6 milligrams of guava leaf extract daily lowered pain severity in a trial involving 197 women. There was evidence that it was more effective than some pain medications (11Trusted Source).
It has also been hypothesized that consuming guava leaf extract can ease uterine cramping.
4. Potentially Good for Your Digestive System
One of the highest dietary fiber content fruits, guavas are highly recommended.
Constipation can be avoided and regular bowel motions supported by consuming more guavas.
As little as one guava can supply 12% of the daily need for fiber.
Guava leaf extract may also help with digestion. There is evidence from studies that it may lessen the severity and duration of diarrhea.
Antimicrobial properties of guava leaf extract have been demonstrated in multiple investigations. Which implies it can help keep diarrhea-causing microorganisms at bay in your digestive tract.
5. Possible Weight Loss Benefits
Guavas can aid with weight loss efforts. One fruit contains only 37 calories and 12 percent of the daily fiber recommendation, making it a satisfying low-calorie snack option.
You won’t have to worry about missing out on vital nutrients because of them, unlike with certain other low-calorie snacks.
6. Possible Cancer-Fighting Effect
The anti-cancer effects of guava leaf extract have been demonstrated. Cancer cell growth has been inhibited, and in some cases completely halted, in test tubes and animal trials using guava extract.
High concentrations of potent antioxidants may be responsible for this, as they shield cells from damage caused by free radicals, a known carcinogen.
An oil extracted from guava leaves was found to be four times more efficient than standard cancer medications in inhibiting the spread of cancer cells in test tubes (20Trusted Source).
Although guava leaf extract showed encouraging results in vitro, this does not necessarily translate to its usefulness in the treatment of cancer in humans. Before any claims can be made, more research is required.
7. It Could Perhaps Aid With Immune System Enhancement
There is a correlation between having low vitamin C levels and being more susceptible to getting sick.
Guavas are one of the best food sources of vitamin C since they contain so much of the substance.
Indeed, the vitamin C RDI in only one guava is about doubled. Compared to what you’d receive from an orange, this is nearly twice as much!
An effective immune system relies in large part on vitamin C.
Vitamin C has been demonstrated to shorten the length of a cold, but there is no evidence that it can prevent the common cold.
Antimicrobial properties have been associated with it as well. Therefore, it aids in the destruction of infection-causing bacteria and viruses.
Vitamin C is easily excreted in urine, therefore it’s crucial to acquire plenty of it from food on a consistent basis.
8. Guavas Are Beneficial For Skin Health
It’s possible that the guava’s large variety of vitamins and antioxidants will do wonders for your skin. Your skin may benefit from its antioxidants by delaying the aging process and avoiding wrinkles.
Furthermore, guava leaf extract administered topically may aid acne treatment.
Because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, guava leaf extract was found to be helpful in eradicating bacteria that cause acne in a test tube investigation.
Guavas and guava extract may play a function in skin health, but further research is needed to establish this.
Signing Off:
An abundance of nutrients can be found in guavas, and they also happen to be quite tasty.
This tropical fruit is great for your health because it is low in calories, high in fiber, and delicious.
Dietary supplements made from guava leaf extracts have been shown to be beneficial in a number of research trials.
As a combination, guava fruit and leaf extracts may improve cardiovascular health, digestive function, and immunity.
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