Guava - super fruit

 

                               Guava /  Amrood  /   Psidium guajava

             Guava is an important fruit crop of the  Tropical , subtropical region specially in Central and South America ,which are eaten as a fresh or made into beverage , jams and other ways .There are near about around 140 species of Guava that can be found in world . Guava grow in the form of evergreen shrub or small tree, which cultivated varieties usually reached   maximum 18 to 20 feet in height . Its leaves are simple  , and opposite with 5-to 14 cm in length and 4- 5 cm in width , With short petiole . Shape of leaves is oblong to elliptical with an entire margin with vein are prominent and glands are dotted . Its flower are hermaphrodite , the calyx is white , irregularly split in to 2 to 4 lobes . Petals are 4 to 5 in numbers and whitish .Ripe guava fruit flesh can be white , light yellow , cream , pink or red colored , pear-shaped with green color when unripe  . Guava contain numerous Phyto- chemicals which are too much useful for our body  . Guava is also called a super fruit because of its excellent nutritive value . This plant provides shelter to many birds and insects , its food for these birds and insects .

Vernacular name of Guava  - Family – Myrtaceae

        Hindi ( Amrud , Jam , Bihi ) , English ( Guava , Abas , Govaviar , Kuahpa) , Telgu ( Gova , Jama , Pandu ) ,Sanskrit ( Peruk , Vastula , Bahubeej , Amrutaphalam , Madhuramla ) , Malyalam ( Malacka pela ) , French ( Goyave ) , Tamil ( Koyyo , Segapu ) , Punjabi ( Amrut ) , Botanical name ( Psidium guajava) .

Properties of Guava –

1.     Guava Ayurvedic  properties  are ;  Rasa/Taste –Kashaya , Madhur  ;  Guna/ Quality- Tikshna and Heavy  ;  Potency- Sheet /Cold  ; Vipaka/Metabolism –Madhur .  In Ayurveda,  it is considered as Tridosha-nashak  or it balance all the three doshas ( Vata, Pitta  and Kapha ) . The strong pleasant smell of guava fruit is due to presence of Carbonyl compounds .

2.     Other properties - Guava have some important  properties for us  which are , Anti-oxidant , Hepato-protective , Anti-allergy , Anti-microbial , Anti-spasmodic , Cardio-protective , Anti-diabetic , and Anti-inflammatory activities . . Guava have  a  lot of medicinal properties , generally which are used in cure of a lot of sickness like diarrhea , reducing fever , gastroenteritis , hypertension , and others . Guava contain several Anti-oxidant , these compound can protect skin from UV damage and potentially delay the signs of aging .The vitamin A and C in Guava play a role in enhancing skin firmness . due to presence of Vitamin A guava act as booster for vision health and also the prevent degradation of eyesight .

3.     Boost immunity -  Guava can boost immune system and fight oxidative stress ,due to presence of richest source of vitamin C ,  hence, it minimize  the risk of disease . The natural  Anti-oxidant of this fruit may help defend the body against proliferation of free radicals . Guava has highest quantity of vitamin C and Iron and both are to be preventing against cold and viral infection . Guava helps to reduce cough due to its Kapha balance property . Cough is generally caused by accumulation of mucus in the respiratory tract . Guava helps to reduce accumulated mucus because of its kapha  reducing  property .

4.     Power house  and stress buster - - Guava fruit is powerhouse of nutrients , which are good source of Energy , Dietary Fiber , Vitamin C, A ,E , B , and several  Minerals such as  Potassium , Magnesium, Calcium , Sodium , Phosphorus , Zinc , others  . Magnesium present in Guava helps to relax the muscles and nerves of the body . Its vitamins B3 and B6 help in improving blood circulation to the brain , stimulating cognitive function and relaxing the nerves .

5.     Minimize heart problem - Vitamin C  is rich source  in Guava fruit ,  is crucial for maintaining the health of the inner lining of the blood vessels . This allows blood to flow easily  and may be help to reduces the risk of heart disease . Guava improve sodium and potassium balance of the body , thereby regulating blood pressure .Its also help to minimize triglycerides levels .

6.     Prevent diabetes and its complications - Guava fruit are better  diabetic  friendly because , since they have a low Glycemic index (GI), which means that it is easily digested and absorbed slowly .  The Glycemic index includes the development of how quickly cellulose is absorbed and discharged as glucose in to blood stream . The rise in glucose  cause an increase in blood sugar level . Daily consumption of Guava is beneficial for individuals with diabetes mellitus because it help in blood glucose control, improves insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin resistance . Guava is rich in Magnesium , it favors the entry of glucose in the muscles and cells and reduce blood glucose levels . Guava fruit and leaves may also help to the development of diabetes .

7.     Reduce cholesterol - Guava is a rich sources of Dietary Fiber , which helps improves blood lipid profile. When Guava is eaten , the soluble dietary fiber , also known as pectin ,( pectin proved to lower the cholesterol level ) present in it , enter of the body , bind to bile acid and excretes it out of the body ( this called natural cleansing process )c. For digestion of fat body required bile acid , which come through Cholesterol (which are  present in the body ) . Because cholesterol is being used for the synthesis of bile acid , its concentration in the blood decrease and , overall blood Cholesterol level is being  reduced . According to Ayurvedic point of view , High cholesterol is due to an imbalance of Pachak digestive fire and Ama (Ama is a toxic remain in the body ) . Guava have properties to corrects digestive fire and reduce Ama because it improve metabolism, thus it help to control high Cholesterol level

8.     In some research paper,  skin of Guava fruit , increase blood sugar levels immediately ,due to presence of high on simple sugar like glucose . So that the best way to consume a Guava fruit for diabetic people is to peel off its skin .  Guava fruit without peel is more effectively in lowering blood sugar as well as serum total Cholesterol, Triglycerides , LDL and it increase HDL ( good Cholesterol ) level also .

9.     Reduce blood pressure - The higher levels of Potassium and soluble Fiber in Guava are also thought to contribute to improved heart health and reduces the negative effects of Sodium on blood pressure . Potassium of Guava may be help in the widening of the arteries and ensures smooth blood flow throughout the body .  Magnesium of Guava is known to relax the body nerves and muscles and may ease stress .

10.  Pink Guava contain Carotenoids , which are that give them their characteristic color. White guava do not contain these Carotenoids .  Lycopene ; a naturally occurring  red Carotenoid pigment in red or pink guava ,which is associated with a decrease risk of chronic disease as cardiovascular and cancer . Carotenoid are beneficial Anti-oxidant that can protect from disease and enhance immune system .

11.  Improve digestion and constipation -- Guava is one of the richest source of dietary fiber , just one Guava fulfills  about 12 % of our daily recommended intake fiber , which makes it extremely beneficial for our digestive health . Guava seed serve as excellent laxatives too , helping the formation of healthy bowel movement . Constipation is caused when food is stuck in our colon . Guava , is rich in Fiber which help in clearing the blocked pathway and thus curing our constipation .

12.  Obesity – Guavas are quite beneficial for managing obesity because its leaves contain catechin,  which may burns fat and also control glucose level .It also contain Quercetin compound  , which may inhibits fats formation . Guava contain protein  and rich fiber , which help in regulating the metabolism . Guava improve the digestive fire or agnimandya which reduce Ama toxin because it can correct the metabolism and control weight .

13.  In some article , Guava leaf tea inhibit absorption of certain type of sugar , so that the  sugar levels do not spike after meals . In Guava leaves , some micronutrient  polyphenol present in leaves help to regulate the absorption of dietary carbohydrate within intestine . This  help suppress a rapid increasing in blood sugar after meals. Guava leaf tea is a very useful as medicine for diabetics . Guava leaf extract also  may be help to lower blood pressure, reduce LDL cholesterol and raise HDL level with decreasing sugar level. In Guava leaves contain Tannin about by 9% , which can be used as an anti-bacterial , because it has a phenol group.

14.  Guava seed contain high amount of Phenolic acids and Anti-oxidants .  While eating Guava its seed do not chew its seed instead swallow as chewing reduce its  laxative property . Those include aiding in lowering blood pressure and alleviating constipation . The fibrous nature of Guava seeds tenders a stimulant laxative effect in the digestive system that ensures smooth bowel movement . The seed may also help in controlling acidity issues if swallow them directly . So that Guava seed are safe to eat .

15.  Guava seeds contain dietary proteins , which play a major part in breaking down of sugar and sugar compound , making it easy to digest in the body . The Protein-rich seed also hinder steep lowering of insulin level in the body .

Chemical properties of Guava –

1.    Guava mainly contain dietary Fiber and Vitamin C , a one Guava fruit contains maximum percentage of the daily  value of vitamin C . Skin of Guava fruit contains rich amount of Vitamin C ; however , it may be destroyed by heat .  It contains high content of organic and inorganic compound   like secondary metabolism such as  Anti-oxidant , Poly-phenols , Anti-viral and  Anti-inflammatory compound  etc.

2.    Nutritional value - A 100 gm of Guava fruit only has near about energy -  68.00 Calories with 14 .00  gram Carbohydrates   ( Sugar - 8.5 g and dietary Fiber - 5 gm etc. ) ,  Proteins 2.5 g  , Fat 0.90 gm , Vitamins  -  (  Vitamin C-228 mg  ,Vitamin A , Thiamin B1 , Riboflavin B2, Niacin B3 , Pantothenic B5, B6 , Folate B9 , Vitamin D , and Vitamin K ) ,  Lycopene -5.2 mg , and  important Minerals ( Potassium, Phosphorus , Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese , Sodium , Copper , Zinc , Iron , Selenium, Sodium and others ) . Minerals of Guava  fruit are very helpful for improving blood circulation to the brain , stimulating cognitive function and relaxing the nerves in  our body . Fresh Guava fruits is richest source of Potassium.

3.    Lycopene is a powerful   Anti-oxidant in the Carotenoid family . These Anti-oxidant protect our body from damage caused by free radicals ( Free radicals are compounds that can cause harm if their levels become too high in our body ) . When free radical levels outnumber Anti-oxidant levels , they create oxidative stress in our body .

4.     Guava contain other broad spectrum of phyto - chemicals including Polysaccharides , essential oil , Enzymes ,Proteins , Pectin , Alkaloid ,Glycosides , Sterols ,Sesquiterpenoid , Minerals ,  Tannins , Flavonoids , Saponin , Oleanolic acid , Lyxopyranoside , Guaijavarin , Quercetin etc. . which are very useful for us  . The majority of Guava Flavonoids ( 5 compound ) were Quercetin derivatives .

5.     Flavonoids of Guava are responsible for the fruits Anti-bacterial  action . These flavonoids reduce the multiplication of bacteria in the body and decrease the bacterial population . Saponin in Guava may be help in decreasing  blood lipids, lower blood glucose levels . Oleanolic acid is a naturally occurring Pentacyclic triterpenoids related to Betulinic acid  , which may be used in the treatment of liver disorders . Guaijavarin is the 3-0-arabinoside of quercetin , which are found in Guava leaves . It has anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial activities .

6.     Copper  , present in Guava , helps in the production and absorption of hormones .This property help in improving the function of our endocrine system like thyroid glands etc. .

7.     The Guava fruit is good source of Vitamin A and Flavonoids like Beta - Carotene  and Crypto-Xanthin , these compound have Antioxidant property and therefore they are also essential for eye  health . Crypto-Xanthin  is a type of natural xanthophylls Carotenoid pigment . converted to Vitamin A in our body , therefore , considered as a  Provitamin A . It is an Anti-oxidant and may be prevent free radicals damage to cell and DNA  , as well as stimulate the repair of oxidative damage to DNA .

8.     Pectin and dietary fiber in Guava improve glucose tolerance by delaying the intestinal absorption of glucose .  Alpha –Glucosidase , an enzyme that break down carbohydrates into simple glucose during digestion is inhibited by healthy compound present in Guava . This delay the quick formation of glucose in the blood . Hence, consumption of Guava prevent a spike in the blood glucose level .

9.     Guava pulp is also a rich in Flavonoids glycosides compound ; i.e. Strictinin ,Iso-strictinin ,and Pedunculagin , which have been used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus by improving insulin sensitivity .Guavas are rich in Pectin that makes this fruit perfect to make jam and jellies . High content of Pectin in Guava fruit pulp is known to reduce total cholesterol, Triglyceride as well as LDL in serum .

10.  Ascorbic acid and citric acid are the major ingredients of Guava that play important role in Anti-mutagenic activity . Guava fruit also contain Terpenes , caryophyllene oxide and            p-selinene in large quantity which produce relaxation effects. Caryophyllene has potent anti-inflammatory , anti microbial , anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties .

11.  Constituents of Guava leaves are some phenolic compounds ,like Iso-flavonoids , gallic acid , catechin , epicatechin , rutin ,kaempferol and others .Guava leaves also contain both Carotenoids and Polyphenols . Main content in Guava leaves also are Pentacyclic triterpenoid  guajanoic  acid ,Beta- Sitosterol, Uviol ,Oleanolic acid and Ur-Solic acid which are very useful for us . Guava leaves contain many compound which act as fungistatic and bacteriostatic agents . Flavonoids is also found  in Guava leaves and they have too many  multi-physiological functions and  which posses the highest Anti-oxidant capacity .

12.Guava seed oil are used in mainly in cosmetic product , which is a source of beta Carotene , Vitamin A , Vitamin C. Copper , Zinc and others. Guava seeds also contain about 14 % oil , 15% Proteins , Starch 13 % and sufficient of Vitamin C and other micronutrients which are also useful  for us.

Side effect of Guava –

1.     Excess amount consumption of Guava fruit may cause certain side effect , it is better consume one or two only Guava fruit in a day .

2.     Guava fruit with tough fiber , it may slow down our digestive system . According to Ayurveda,   Guava has heavy nature and take time to digest . Hence Guavas do not take on an empty stomach .

3.     Guava contain Potassium , which may not be recommended for those with kidney issues .If we have kidney problem , consult doctor before consuming this fruit .

Disclaimer ; - The information at this site is for only educational purpose only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a health care professional