Have you tried guava fruit yet?
This mouthwatering treat is often called the super-fruit and with a reason.
The health benefits of guava include the treatment of diarrhea,
dysentery, constipation, cough, cold, skin care, high blood pressure, weight loss
and scurvy.
The fruit is originally found in South America and grows in great quantities
here in the Amazon region.
Actually it can be found wild nearly anywhere and many times people just
let it rot in the tree or feed them to the pigs.
But you should not do the same, because guava fruit contains four times
the Vitamin C that is present in oranges.
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| Guava-tree in a garden. |
Vitamin C helps to improve your immunity and keeping your body healthy
and protects it from pathogens that cause infections.
The fruit is somewhat round or pear-shaped and it is light green, yellow
or maroon in color on the outside when it is ripe.
The South-American guava has pink flesh and lots of small hard seeds
enveloped in a very soft, sweet pulp.
It can be eaten raw, or made into juice, jam or jellies.
This little fruit is a powerhouse of nutrients.
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| Green guavas in a tree. |
You must be familiar with the popular saying of “An apple a day keeps
the doctor away”?
Well, it should be changed into “A few guavas a year keep the doctor
away for the whole year”!
What makes guava even more special is that protecting the fruit does not
require excessive use of chemical pesticides as in the case of grapes, apple,
and other so-called “exotic” fruits.
It is one of the least chemically treated and sprayed fruits.
Guava is very helpful for those who want to lose weight; it is very high
in fiber and rich in vitamins, proteins and mineral but has no cholesterol and
a low number of digestible carbohydrates.
It is a very filling snack and has far less sugar compared to apples,
oranges, grapes and other fruits.
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| Guava-tree at the wild. |
Guava also contains copper which helps in the production and absorption
of hormones.
This property helps in improving the functioning of your body’s
endocrine system, especially in the thyroid glands which are responsible for example
producing the enzymes you need to metabolize the food.
Guava is very rich in astringents, compounds that make your gums feel
tighter and fresher.
After eating raw guava or chewing guava leaves, or after using guava
based toothpaste, your mouth will feel healthier, and the astringent qualities
also add substance to loose bowels and reduce symptoms of diarrhea.
The astringents are alkaline in nature and have disinfectant and
antibacterial properties helping to cure dysentery by inhibiting microbial
growth and removing extra mucus from the intestines.
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| Raw guava fruit. |
Guava is also beneficial in treating gastroenteritis for its high level
of vitamin C, Carotenoids and potassium that strengthen and tone the digestive system
while simultaneously disinfecting it.
Even more, guavas are rich in antioxidants, like lycopene, that can help
protecting your cells from damage and reduce your chances of getting cancer.
The Vitamin C, Vitamin A and the antioxidants, like lycopene and
carotene, also present in guava will help you to protect your skin from aging.
Another beneficial quality of guava is that it is rich in fiber, helping
our digestion to work better.
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| Mature guavas from the garden, the ones sold in the market are bigger. |
Guava is actually one of the richest sources of dietary fiber in terms
of fruits.
Its seed, if eaten whole or chewed, can be used as excellent laxatives.
Guavas can improve the texture of your skin and help you to avoid skin
problems.
This is chiefly due to the abundance of astringents in the fruit and in
its leaves.
Your skin can benefit from either eating the fruits or by rinsing your
skin with a decoction of its immature fruit and leaves.
It will tone up and tighten the area of loosened skin where you apply
it.
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| Guavas after cooking them. |
In addition, the antioxidants and detoxifiers present in guava will keep
your skin glowing and free from signs of premature aging, wrinkles and other
dermal disorders.
Guava also helps to reduce cholesterol in the blood and prevents it from
thickening, thereby maintaining the fluidity of blood and reducing the blood
pressure.
Should you eat guavas if you are pregnant?
Yes, guavas contain Folic acid, or Vitamin B-9, which is recommended for
pregnant mothers.
As you must know, this will help developing the baby’s nervous system
and protect the newborn from neurological disorders.
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| Guaba-pulp after liquefying it. |
But this is not all; guavas also contain magnesium, helping to relax
your nerves and muscles.
Even better yet, guavas are also rich in Vitamin B3 and Vitamin B6, also
known as niacin and pyridoxine.
Both of them help in improving blood circulation to the brain and
relaxing your nerves.
Juice of the raw and immature guavas is very helpful in relieving coughs and
colds by reducing mucus, disinfecting the respiratory tract, throat and lungs,
and inhibiting microbial activity with its astringent properties.
I think you will agree with me that we can call guava a super-fruit
without a doubt!
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| Don't forget to make sure you get all the seeds. |
My favorite form of guava is in Espumilla, sweet guava foam, and juice.
I usually make my juice from a ripe guava by cooking the fruit first, so
to make sure that it is hygienic.
After the guava has cooled off, put it in the blender with a little bit
of juice until it has all been liquefied.
You need to pass the fruit pulp through a sieve to make sure you get all
the seeds out because they are quite small.
Mix sugar or your favorite sweetener with the juice and put it in the
fridge until it’s cool.
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| Enjoy! |
