Guava is a fruit with great nutritional value and medicinal properties that guarantee various health benefits by being rich in vitamin C, A and B. Its scientific name is Psidium guajava, has a sweet taste and its pulp can be pink, white, red. , yellow or orange.
This tropical fruit is found in the central and South American region and is low in calories, so it may be a good option to include it in the diet. In addition, it promotes digestion because of its high fiber content, excellent for treating gastrointestinal problems.
The main health benefits of guava are
Guava is a fiber-rich fruit that stimulates stool, improving digestion. In addition, when consumed with peeling, it helps to combat heartburn, being excellent for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers.
This fruit has astringent, antispasmodic and antimicrobial properties that help reduce both diarrhea, abdominal pain and possible microorganisms responsible for diarrhea. In addition, it can also be used to treat gastroenteritis and childhood dysentery.
Antidiarrheal properties are due to the high concentration of tannins and should be avoided by those suffering from constipation.
Because it is rich in antioxidants, such as lycopene and vitamin C, it helps prevent cell aging because it prevents damage caused by free radicals, as well as the onset of certain 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 into the diet, helping to prevent or treat anemia when consumed along with rich foods. Iron.
Each guava contains about 54 calories and can be consumed in a diet to lose weight as dessert or snack, as it is also rich in pectin, a type of fiber that favors the feeling of satiety, naturally reducing hunger.
Eating guava, especially red or pink, is excellent for the skin because it contains large amounts of lycopene, an antioxidant that helps maintain skin health and prevents premature aging.
Guava is rich in soluble fibers such as pectin and rich in vitamin C. Soluble fiber facilitates the removal of cholesterol by faeces, decreases its absorption, decreases its amount in the blood and promotes its excretion in bile.
The following table presents the nutritional information of 100 grams of white guava and red guava:
Guava can be eaten whole, in juice, vitamins, jams or ice cream. Teas can also be prepared with leaves.
The recommended serving size for consumption is 1 unit of approximately 150 grams per day. Here’s how to prepare some simple guava recipes:
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Remove the skin from the guava and whisk the blender with the other ingredients. This juice can be drunk up to 2 times a day.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Add the leaves and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Then let it warm, filter and drink 2 to 3 times a day. This tea can also be used to make a siege bath, to treat vaginal infections caused by trichomoniasis or thrush, for their antimicrobial properties.