THE SUPER FRUIT - GUAVA

Guava fruit referred to as ‘Super Fruit’ because this fruit is enriched with vitamins and minerals and has a low content of fat and calorie.

Guava grows in tropical and subtropical regions. This guava fruit belongs (native) to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.

GUAVA

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Scientific Name: Psidium guajava (refers to yellow or lemon guava common guava, which is yellow or green)

Family: Myrtaceae (small tree)

There are many related species, found in this fruit any belong to other species or genera so, they come under different families.

GUAVA FRUIT

    GUAVA FRUITS

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Guava fruit has an elliptical shape. The appearance of the fruit is greenish, and when it turns to ripe, it seems yellowish. Before ripening, the flesh of the fruit is white, and the seeds are soft. After the fruit ripens, there is a slighter change in the color of the flesh. The color might be pale yellow or pink. The seeds become harder in ripened fruits. The fruit edible in both the stages and both have different tastes.

GROWTH

GUAVA TREE

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Guava grows well in tropical regions. It requires a warm and humid climate. It grows almost in all soil types; it grows well in black soil as well. In India, the fruit bears throughout the year. The tree grows approximately 6metres depending on varieties. If pruning and proper sunlight are directed on the tree the flowers emerge and provide fruits.

GUAVA FLOWER

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There are more exceeding 150 species of Guava grows around the world.  In India, Guava grows in Dindigul, Madurai, and Salem to a great extent. The panchayat town of Ayakudi located in Dindigul is famous for guava fruit, which is much tastier. Besides this variety, there are more varieties cultivated all over India and named according to the places. Some of the varieties are:

Allahabad safeda, Lucknow 49, Anakapalli, Banarasi, Chittidar, Hafshi, Sardar, Smooth Green, Safed Jam, Arka Mridula, Gwalior-27, Seedless Chittidar, Araka Amulya, Bangalore, Dharwar, Am Sophri, Madhuri Am, Safrior Payere, Apple Colour, Nagpur Seedless, Smooth Green, etc. 

NUTRIENTS

• One Guava fruit has four times more Vitamin C than one orange fruit.

• One Guava fruit has three times more protein and four times more fiber than pineapple.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE PER 100 GRAMS

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GUAVA - NUTRITIONAL VALUE PER 100 GRAMS

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• 100 grams of guava fruit contains approximately 228 mg of Vitamin C, which is more than daily requirements.

Hence, for the above reasons, this fruit is known as ‘Poor man’s Apple’.

BENEFITS

The guava tree has many medicinal values.

GUAVA FRUIT

GUAVA FRUIT OF TAMILNADU

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Image source : Wikimedia Commons

• Lycopene, chemical substances are generally found in tomato that acts as an antioxidant found in guava fruit too. Lycopene helps in the revival of cells from damages.

• Guava fruit improves immunity power in the body by killing pathogens and increases Vitamin C.

• Regular consumption of guava fruit helps in the prevention of cancer cells, particularly breast cancer cells.

• Guava fruit is sacred for diabetes people. The diabetic people are not allowed to eat other fruits except guava since guava does not increase sugar level suddenly. 

• Constipation problem: In one guava, it has a sufficient amount of fiber required by the body per day. The seeds present in guava fruit serve excretion of waste.

• Heart protection: Guava fruit has sodium and potassium nutrients assisting in the prevention of high blood pressure by dissolving bad cholesterol in due course keeps good cholesterol, and thus maintaining the heart from a heart problem.

• During Pregnancy: Guava fruit enriched with vitamin B9 and folic acid. Vitamin B9 assist in the increase of required vitamins for the mother during this period and Folic acid help in the development of the nervous system of the fetus.  

• Vitamin A in Guava fruit helps in good eye vision. Guava fruit might prevent cataracts.

• Guava fruit relieves from stress.

• Good for brain: Guava enriched with many vitamins. Guava fruit promotes blood circulation in the brain and improves memory power.

• The fruit used to increase or decrease body weight is guava.

• Reduces cough and gives relief from cold because of the presence of Vitamin C (immunity).

• Guava fruit helps in giving good appearance by avoiding wrinkles on the skin. (Anti-aging property)

• Guava fruit provides Good complexion.

• Guava fruit balances the thyroid.

• Guava fruit reduces blood pressure since it has high fiber, thus prevents the storage of cholesterol in the body.

GUAVA LEAVES

GUAVA LEAVES

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• Guava leaves prevent hair fall. Boil a few leaves in the water, massage it by applying on the head, and make it dry. After half an hour, take a bath.

• Guava leaves give great complexion.

• Tooth: Guava leaves good for toothache, bleeding in gums, a decayed tooth, and odor in the mouth. Consume a few leaves in the morning. Circulate the leaves juice throughout the mouth for 5 – 10 minutes. Grind a few guava leaves, form a paste, and apply it to the teeth and gums.

• Tea: Guava leaves tea is best to drink on an empty stomach.
•  Guava leaves tea helps in the cure of lesions in the stomach and the oesophagus.

• The tea is beneficial for people who have fatty liver.
  
• The tea helps in the relief of dysmenorrhoea pain at menstruation. 
  

• The tea is useful for people who have diabetes. Guava tea helps in balancing the insulin level. The ingredients present in the leaves obstruct the absorption of two kinds of sugars, sucrose, and maltose. Thus helps in the balance of sugar level after eating.

• The tea helps in weight loss. 

• Guava leaves tea effective for several types of cancer cell-like colon, prostate, epidermal cancers, melanoma, and leukaemia. The leaves contain effectual antioxidant Lycopene and flavonoids Quercetin. The Quercetin compound has anti-cancer properties. These two compounds assist in reducing the risk of cancer, chiefly breast, prostate, and oral cancer.

• Promotes hair growth: Few Guava leaves added to the coconut oil and made to boil. The chemical substance present in the leaves mixes with the oil. This oil then applied to the hair for hair growth.

Enjoy the benefits of eating this poor man’s apple whenever available.