It's Fall Again: The Magical Benefits of Guava
As you wander near guava orchards during harvest, the aroma is unmistakable. But this time, let's focus on the fruit's health benefits. Remember, inspect the fruit carefully for worms.
One of the most juicy and fragrant fruits is the guava. Anyone walking near guava orchards during harvest season will find its scent impossible to ignore. Guava spreads its aroma throughout the vicinity, but not everyone loves it; some adore it while others are repelled. Guava is rich in numerous health benefits, most notably its enormous amount of Vitamin C. A single fruit contains approximately three times the daily recommended intake of Vitamin C. The fruit is also very rich in Vitamin A, which supports eye health, particularly night vision. Additionally, the vitamin supports various body membranes which can help with phlegm and runny nose issues. Guava is very high in potassium and many other various vitamins and minerals. It is extremely rich in antioxidants. It contains a high amount of lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes and watermelons, more so in guavas than either of the other two. Lycopene is known for its ability to fight prostate cancer. Therefore, those who suffer from prostate cancer, are at risk of it, or have an enlarged prostate would benefit from eating guava. It contains other antioxidants from the carotenoid family, such as beta-carotene, crucial for maintaining eye health.
Now, I'd like to touch on some unique health benefits of guava. Diabetics are always warned against eating fruits due to high sugar content. However, guava stands out as a tasty fruit with numerous health benefits, and most diabetics can eat it because of its low glycemic index. The conversion rate of sugar in the fruit to glucose is very low, thanks to its particularly high dietary fiber content. Diabetics not consuming low glycemic index foods may face considerable health risks over time, such as obesity, high blood pressure, unbalanced cholesterol, and triglycerides. Nevertheless, a diabetic opting to eat guava should still check their blood sugar levels as a precaution.
It's worth mentioning that even a guava leaf infusion aids in balancing blood sugar levels. The high dietary fiber content also affects bowel movements and helps with constipation. Guava attracts many worms; thus, when eating, inspect well. Any soft spots should be cut and carefully checked as the worms are similar in color to the fruit, making them hard to spot. Also, check around the seeds. To your health!
Eliyahu Shechter is an iridologist and naturopath
