Guava fruit and leaves contain nutrients, including vitamin C and potassium, that may help support your heart, digestion, and other body systems.
Guavas are tropical trees originating in Central America. Their fruits are oval in shape with light green or yellow skin and contain edible seeds. What’s more, guava leaves are used as herbal tea, and the leaf extract is utilized as a supplement.
Guava fruits are amazingly rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. This remarkable nutrient content gives them many health benefits.
1. May Help Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Some evidence suggests that guava can improve blood sugar control. Several test-tube and animal studies found that guava leaf extract improved blood sugar levels, long-term blood sugar control, and insulin resistance. This is good news for people with diabetes or those at risk.
2. May Boost Heart Health
Guavas may help boost heart health in a number of ways. Many scientists believe that the high levels of antioxidants and vitamins in guava leaves may help protect your heart from damage by free radicals. The higher levels of potassium and soluble fiber in guavas are also thought to contribute to improved heart health.
3. May Help Relieve Painful Symptoms of Menstruation
Guava leaf extract may reduce the pain intensity of menstrual cramps. A study in 197 women found that taking 6 mg of guava leaf extract daily resulted in reduced pain intensity, even more powerful than some painkillers.
4. May Benefit Your Digestive System
Guavas are an excellent source of dietary fiber. Therefore, eating more guavas may aid healthy bowel movements and prevent constipation. Guava leaf extract may also benefit digestive health, reducing the intensity and duration of diarrhea.
5. May Aid Weight Loss
Guavas are a weight-loss-friendly food with only 37 calories in one fruit and 12% of your recommended daily fiber intake. They are a filling, low-calorie snack packed with vitamins and minerals.
6. May Have an Anticancer Effect
Guava leaf extract has shown an anticancer effect in test-tube and animal studies, likely due to high levels of antioxidants. However, further studies are needed before any claims can be made regarding its efficacy in treating cancer in humans.
7. May Help Boost Your Immunity
Guavas are a fantastic source of vitamin C, essential for a healthy immune system. Adequate levels of vitamin C are important for protecting against illness and infections.
8. Eating Guavas May Be Good for Your Skin
The wide range of vitamins and antioxidants in guavas may work wonders for your skin, protecting it from damage and potentially treating acne when applied directly.
The Bottom Line: Guavas are incredibly delicious and packed with nutrients. This tropical fruit is low in calories, loaded with fiber, and an excellent addition to a healthy diet. Many studies also support the benefits of guava leaf extracts, which are taken as dietary supplements. Together, guava fruit and leaf extracts may boost your heart health, digestion, and immune system, in addition to other benefits.
