Table of Contents
A Culinary Delight with Endless Health Benefits
Guava benefits pregnancy, making the fruit an essential diet intake. The fruit has other health benefits too and needs to be consumed, of course. The fruit is high in fiber and Vitamin C. Guavas happen to be tropical trees originating in Central America.
Their fruits are rather oval in shape with light green or even yellow skin and also contain edible seeds. Guava leaves are used as an herbal tea, and the leaf extract is used as a supplement.
Guava fruits are indeed amazingly rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. It also has several benefits, and pregnancy is something to be thought of.
Health benefits of guava fruits and leaves:
May Help Lower Blood Sugar Levels:
Evidence shows that guavas can improve blood sugar control. Several test-tube animal studies have shown that guava leaf extract does improve blood sugar levels, long-term blood sugar control, and insulin resistance. It is good news for people with diabetes or those at risk.
May Boost Heart Health:
Guavas can help boost heart health in a number of ways. Scientists do believe that the high levels of antioxidants and vitamins in guava leaves can help protect one’s heart from damage by free radicals. The higher levels of potassium and soluble fiber in guavas contribute to improved heart health. Guava leaf extract has, of course, been linked to lower blood pressure, a decrease in “bad” LDL cholesterol, and a rise in “good” HDL cholesterol.
Since high blood pressure and high levels of LDL cholesterol are linked to higher risks of heart disease and stroke, taking guava leaf extract could indeed lead to valuable benefits. The fruit may also have benefits for heart health as well. Guava fruit decreases bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol.
May Help Relieve Painful Symptoms of Menstruation:
Many women do experience dysmenorrhea, painful symptoms of menstruation such as stomach cramps. There is also some evidence that guava leaf extract can reduce the intensity of menstrual cramps. Guava leaf extract is also thought to help relieve uterine cramps.
May Benefit One’s Digestive System:
Guavas are no doubt an excellent source of dietary fiber. Eating more guavas may in fact aid healthy bowel movements and also prevent constipation. Just one guava can provide a daily intake of fiber.
Also, guava leaf extract may also benefit digestive health. Studies do suggest that it can reduce the intensity and duration of diarrhea. Studies have also shown that guava leaf extract is antimicrobial, implying it can neutralize harmful microbes in one’s gut that can cause diarrhea.
May Aid Weight Loss:
Guavas are indeed a weight-loss-friendly food. Daily fiber intake is there and it is a low-calorie snack. Unlike a few other low-calorie snacks, they are packed with vitamins and minerals, so a person is not missing out on important nutrients.
May Have an Anticancer Effect:
Guava leaf extract has been shown to have an anti-cancer effect. Test-tube and animal studies do show that guava extract can prevent and even stop the growth of cancer cells. This is probably due to the high levels of powerful antioxidants that prevent free radicals from damaging cells, one of the main causes of cancer.
One test-tube study did show that guava leaf oil was about four times more effective at stopping cancer cell growth than certain cancer drugs.
Despite the results of test-tube experiments being promising, it does not mean that guava leaf extract does help treat cancer in people.
May Help Boost One’s Immunity:
Low levels of vitamin C are linked to an increased risk of infections and illness. Guavas are very nutritious and rich in Vitamin C. In fact, one guava provides about double the reference daily Intake (RDI) for vitamin C. After all, vitamin C is important for maintaining a healthy immune system. Vitamin C reduces a cold’s duration.
It is also linked to antimicrobial benefits and thus helps kill off bad bacteria and viruses that cause infections.
Conclusion:
Guava benefits pregnancy, which is why this fruit is much sought-after.