GUAVA FRUIT CAN BOOST IMMUNE SYSTEM

Guava is one of the most popular, nutritional rich fruit all around the world. It is known for its unique flavour, taste and health promoting qualities making it a common ingredient in new functional foods category often called “SUPER FRUIT”.

Botanically this fruit belongs to the family of Myrtaceae of the genius Psidium (meaning “pomegranate” in Latin) and know as Psidium guajava. In Nigeria the names are qwaabaa (Hausa) ugwoba (Igbo) guava (Yoruba).

Head, department of Biochemistry College of medicine, university of Lagos Prof. Osaretin Ebuechi said guava is very rich astringents (compounds those make your gums feel tighter and fresh after you chew guava leaves or eat a raw guava or use some tooth paste), which binds up loose bowels in diarrhea.

These astringent are alkaline in nature and have disinfectant and antibacterial properties, thus help cure dysentery by inhibiting microbial growth and removing extra mucus from the intestines. Further, other nutrients in guava, such as vitamin C, carotenoids and potassium strengthens and tones up the digestive system and disinfect it, which makes it beneficial in gastroenteritis.

He added that it is one of the richest sources of dietary fiber. Its seeds, if ingested whole or chewed, serves as excellent laxative, these two properties of guava help forming bowels, retaining water and clean your intestine and excretory system thoroughly. It said that single constipation can lead to seventy two types of ailments; every way to your health goes through proper digestion and more importantly proper excretion.

Osaretin, who is also secretary general, West African association of food science and technology (WAAFoST), observed that juice of raw and immature guavas or decoction of guava leaves is very helpful in giving relief in cough and cold by loosening cough, reducing mucus, disinfecting the respiratory tract, throat, lungs and inhibiting microbial activity due to its astringent properties.

Guava is one of the richest in vitamin C and iron which are proven to be preventive against cold and viral infections. In some areas in India roasted ripe guava is used as a remedy against extreme cases of cough and cold and congestion.

In addition to the astringents guava is very-very rich in vitamin A, B, C and potassium, which are very good antioxidants and detoxifiers and keep your skin glowing and free from aging, wrinkles and other disorders.

Guava helps reduce cholesterol in blood and prevents it from thickening, thereby maintaining fluidity of blood and reducing blood pressure. Studies have shown that food stuffs lack fiber (such as refined flour) add to blood pressure, due to quick conversion to sugar. Guava being very rich in fiber and hypoglycemic in nature helps reduce blood pressure.

Guava is very helpful for those who want to lose weight without compromising with their intake of proteins, vitamins and fibers. Guava being very high in roughages and very rich in vitamins, protein and minerals but no cholesterol and less digestive carbohydrates is very filling and satisfies appetite very easily, just have a medium sized guava in the lunch and you will not feel hungry till night.

Studies suggest that lycopene in pink guava prevent skin damage from UV rays and offers protection from prostate cancer. It is also a very good source of B-complex, vitamins such as pantothermic acid, niacin, vitamin- B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin E and K and by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme.

Since the 1950’s, guavas-particularly the leaves have been a subject for diverse research in chemical identity of their constituents, pharmacological properties and history in folk medicine. Guava leaves are used in folk medicine as a remedy for diarrhea and as well as the bark for the supposed antimicrobial properties and as an astringent. Guava leaves or bark are used in traditional treatments against diabetes. In Trinidad, a tea made from young leaves is used for diarrhea, dysentery and fever.

On the medicinal used, the roots, bark, leaves and immature fruit because of their astringency are commonly employed to halt gastroenteritis, diarrhea and dysentery, throughout the topics. Crushed leaves are chewed to apply on wounds, ulcer and rheumatic places and leaves are chewed to relieved toothache.