Now, I’m sure you know that most fruits contain a wide variety of beneficial nutrients for our bodies, but have you heard about the amazing guava fruit?
This fruit recently became known as “the ultimate superfood,” because of both its medicinal and nutritional benefits. Guavas grow in Mexico, Central, and South America, and have a tangy, sweet, tropical flavor. It contains copious amounts of antioxidants and vitamins, and the skin can even be used in cooking and baking. The leaves, seeds and skin can also be consumed or used for medicinal purposes.
Because guavas are both low in calories and contain many important vitamins and minerals for the human body, it easily deserves the title “The Ultimate Superfood,” in our opinion. Below, we’ll tell you a little bit more about why you should consider buying guavas at your local grocer and making them a staple in your diet.
Here’s why guava is the most powerful antioxidant food for your immune system:
According to the USDA, 100 grams of guava fruit contain the following nutrients:
- 68 calories
- 14.3 grams carbohydrate
- 2.6 grams protein
- 228.3 milligrams vitamin C (381 percent DV)
- 5.2 milligrams lycopene ( 52 percent DV)
- 5.4 grams fiber (21.6 percent DV)
- 624 IU vitamin A (12.5 percent DV)
- 49 microgram folate (12.3 percent DV)
- 0.2 milligram copper (11.5 percent DV)
- 417 milligrams potassium (8.8 percent DV)
- 22 milligrams magnesium (5.5 percent DV)
- 40 milligrams phosphorus (4 percent DV)
As you can see, you can get many essential vitamins and minerals from this fruit alone. You can also eat it raw, making it a quick and easy snack on the go. In ancient cultures, they would use the leaves from the guava fruit to make healing, medicinal tea to cure a variety of ailments. However, most people eat the fruit raw, so below, we’ll go over some important benefits from eating this fruit loaded with antioxidants.
It boosts the immune system
Because guava provides over 350% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C, it can repair the immune system and keep it functioning properly. Vitamin C has long been associated with a healthy immune system, so getting in your daily recommended amount is crucial in keeping illnesses at bay. Guava fruits provide even more Vitamin C than an equal serving of oranges, quite surprisingly. Vitamin C helps stop cell damage because of its antioxidants, so it can even help heal arthritis, cancer, and heart disease. This study in Pakistan in 2012 revealed that guavas had the highest concentration of Vitamin C, making it a powerful healing food that you should definitely add to your diet.
Guava contains more antioxidants than almost any other fruit
As we mentioned earlier, the antioxidants in the guava fruit pack a powerful punch. A 2011 study by Hyderabad’s National Institute of Nutrition in India revealed that guavas had the most antioxidants when compared to other Indian fruits such as apples, bananas, and grapes. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from forming and damaging cells, so humans need to get plenty of antioxidants in their diet. The study recommends eating unripe guavas, as these have the most antioxidants.
It can prevent cancer
Just as we said above, the antioxidants present in guavas can help reduce free radicals in the blood. Thus, they may reduce the risk of developing cancer. Guavas contain high amounts of lycopene, an antioxidant known for preventing cancer. Although this antioxidant is more well-known in association with tomatoes, guavas have a considerable amount of this powerful cancer blocker, and it can prevent growth of many types of cancer cells.
If that’s not enough, this study recently found that guava fruits can also help keep strokes at bay.
Guava contains a high amount of both potassium and fiber
As you might already know, potassium and fiber are crucial in keeping our electrolytes stable, maintaining low blood pressure, and preventing digestive diseases. This study found that potassium in guava fruits can decrease both blood pressure and blood lipids. Potassium also keeps the heart functioning properly, lowers the risk of strokes and kidney stones, and helps to prevent bone loss.
Because guava fruits contain over 20% of the daily recommended value of fiber, they can help you stay full longer, which aids in promoting weight loss. Also, having a high-fiber diet can decrease the risk of numerous diseases, including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and much more.
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