Overview of Guava 

Guava scientifically known as Psidium guajava L. is a small tree commonly grown in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is about 1.6 to 10 m tall. There are about 150 species of guava, the most common species are cattley guava, peer guava, and apple guava. Guava leaves are dark green and oval, and the end of the leaf is blunt. The guava fruit averagely weighs about 150 – 250g. The fruit comes in various shapes, it can be round, oval or pear-shaped. Depending on the guava type the pulp could be white, yellow or pink. The pulp has many small hard seeds that are uniquely kidney-shaped and yellow. The skin and pulp of the ripened fruit vary in colour depending on the species. Guava fruit is sweet and has a tangy flavour. In fact , it's one of the cheapest fruits on planet Earth.^1,2,3 The fruit can be eaten when it's partly ripe or completely ripe. It can also be used to make jellies, yoghourt, ice cream, juice, cheese, paste and so on.⁴

What makes guava unique?

Guava has an abundance of various nutritional and biologically active compounds that fight against free radicals, bacteria, parasites, inflammation, diabetes, high blood pressure etc. It has a high amount of vitamins A, C, and B known to prevent certain types of prostate cancer because of its anti-tumor properties. It is also good for maintaining healthy weight, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. Guava has been used in traditional medicine to treat many diseases such as dysentery and diarrhoea for a long time. Due to its ability to prevent microbial infection, the liquid from the crushed leaves has been applied on ulcers, boils, wounds, and areas of the body affected by rheumatism. All parts of the guava plant i.e. the stem, leaves, bark, pulp, and root are useful in traditional and modern medicine. No wonder some referred to it as the “magical fruit.^5,6

What nutrients are found in guava?

Guava is made up of nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals known to improve overall health.

The table below shows in great detail the nutrients in guava plant per 100g

The table below highlights some of the benefits of these nutrients

Health benefits of guava plant

Traditional medicine and modern scientific studies have proven that guava leaves, stems, pulp, seeds, bark and roots can treat, prevent or reduce the risk of a number of different diseases affecting various ethnic groups.

The medicinal properties of guava are;

Antioxidant properties

What are antioxidants? Antioxidants protect our cells from any harm caused by the harmful molecules(free radicals) found in the body or pollutants that enter our body. Antioxidants cause these molecules to lose their ability to cause harm. Harmful molecules cause cancers and diseases such as inflammatory diseases, ischemia, hemochromatosis, pneumatosis, neurological disorders and so on.^14,15 Guava is a rich source of antioxidants. The peels and leaves of guava have many antioxidants including the essential oils made from the stem and bark. Some of the antioxidants found in guava are ^16,17

• Lycopene
• Carotenoids 
• Flavonoids
• Polyphenols
• Quercetin
• Vitamin C

Antibacterial properties

Extracts from guava leaves and bark have the most potent antibacterial effect, they can reduce or slow down the growth of many harmful microorganisms responsible for the illnesses. Extract from guava leaf can effectively reduce cough, prevent the build-up of plaque, and restrict the growth of Staphylococcus aureus that infects the heart, bone, skin, lungs, and urinary tract.¹⁸ It is also being used in medications for oral ulcers, diarrhoea, and swollen gum injuries because it restrains the growth and replication of the bacteria.^12,19

Anti-inflammatory properties

Extracts from guava can be applied to the skin to inhibit inflammation because it can fight against inflammation. It inhibits inflammation by preventing the spread of germs and the production of lymphocytes.

It can also prevent the multiplication of viruses and improve the transcription and stability of messenger ribonucleic acid(mRNA).²⁰

Anticancer 

Lycopene found in guava is more abundant in the pulp. It can be useful for the prevention and treatment of cancer, especially prostate and breast cancer. How does lycopene prevent cancer? It does this by feeding on free radicals and inhibiting the formation of new ones. Another anticancer agent found in guava is carotene. Carotene is thought to stop cancer of the lung and mouth.¹³ The flavonoids and vitamin E found in guava leaf extract tend to suppress the large intestine cell lines.²¹

Guavas usefulness against cough and cold

Guava can effectively treat cough and cold because it is abundant in vitamin C and Iron which is known to help in limiting inflammation of lungs and production of mucus while at the same time protecting the respiratory tract from infections. Roasted ripe guava has been used in many rural areas in India to treat severe cough, cold, and congestion.

One study showed that a water extract of guava leaves lessened the number of times coughing caused by pepper spray within 15 minutes of usage.¹³

Guava and oral health

The gum and the ligament around the tooth are made up of collagen fibres, guava has a very high amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed for the production of collagen fibres, hence it helps to maintain a healthy structure of the tooth and gum.²² Quercetin found abundantly in guava has demonstrated its effectiveness against the bacteria-causing organisms that cause dental plaques and periodontal disease. In periodontal disease quercetin effectively kills the bacteria by bursting the bacterial cell membrane, inactivating the important proteins within the bacterial cells by attaching to the proteins thereby disrupting the function of the bacteria which leads to its death. It also works by preventing germs from sticking to the oral cavity thus stopping the spread of plaques.⁶ Guava can also treat bleeding gums and toothache because of its high vitamin C content. Need to chew the leaves to relieve toothache.⁴ The high folate levels in guava plants can reduce bad breath. To treat sore gum simply gargle extracts of guavas root bark and extracts from the leaves for inflamed, bleeding gum.²³

Antihypertensive and hypolipidemic properties 

If guava is eaten regularly, it can maintain blood pressure and lower fat levels because it contains potassium, dietary fibre and pectin. Potassium promotes good heart health and is known to relax the muscles, thus it helps to relax the blood vessels thereby managing blood pressure. Pectin reduces the amount of fats in the blood by slowing the absorption of food hence reducing the possibility of having a heart or blood vessel disease.

Quercetin is associated with reduced occurrence of death from heart disease and a reduced occurrence of stroke in individuals with high blood pressure and excess amount of fat in the blood.⁶

Anti-diarrhoea

Drinking boiled 6-10 fresh tender leaves of guava on an empty stomach has proven to be very beneficial in lessening diarrhoea caused by bacteria, giardiasis and rotavirus. This is possible due to the presence of flavonoids in guava leaves. In children, the bark of guava is used to treat diarrhoea.⁶

Laxatives

Guava fruit and leaves are a very significant source of dietary fibre especially the new tender leaves as a result it is useful for preventing and treating constipation and haemorrhoids. Guava seeds can also clean the colon and serve as an effective laxative. It is estimated that eating just one guava can give about 12% of the daily required fibre consumption, this makes guava an essential food for digestive wellbeing.^6,24

Guava recipes

Try some of these recipes and enjoy the endless health benefits 

Guava Jam Recipe | Homemade Guava Jelly Recipe | Yummy

Guava Recipes (How to make Guava Juice (Agua Fresca))

How to make Guava Nectar

HOW TO MAKE GUAVA JAM STEP BY STEP || IN THE KITCHEN WITH LYNN

Summary

Guava is a small tree with tons of amazing nutrients that can nourish the  body and treat people of age groups. It can stop or reduce inflammation, bacteria, parasites, harmful molecules that are in the body or enter the body, diarrhoea and many more. All parts of the guava plant are useful. Incorporating guava into one's diet is the best healthy decision ever.