Health Benefits of Guava with Recipe

Guava is one of the known fruits today. With the scientific name Psidium guajava, guava is a tropical fruit native to Mexico, as well as in Northern, Central, and Southern America. The fruit is also distinct for its green skin and pink pulp, along with its benefits to health.

 

General Nutrition

Guava is high in vitamins and minerals. According to Nutrition and You, guava contains vitamins A, B, C, E, and K. vitamin A is great for the eyesight and the integrity of skin and cell membranes. On the other hand, vitamin B promotes nervous function, which covers learning, thinking, memory, and sensation. Vitamin C boosts the body’s defenses against infection and illness and it also enhances the actions of collagen, as substance that acts as cement and binds loosely connected cells and tissues. Vitamin E promotes skin health and along with vitamins A and C, it acts as an antioxidant, helping the body get rid of unwanted and toxic substances like free radicals, which cause cancer. Then, vitamin K helps in wound healing through clotting mechanisms. This way, the vitamin also prevents excessive blood loss, such as in trauma or accident.

In terms of minerals, guava contains calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, potassium, and zinc. Calcium and phosphorus work together for strong bones and teeth while copper and manganese boost metabolism and cellular growth and development. Magnesium promotes neuromuscular function while zinc enhances digestion and wound healing. Iron plays a role in efficient oxygenation while selenium prevents cellular damage through releasing antioxidant enzymes. Sodium and potassium help balance the fluids in the body and the latter also contributes to cardiovascular health through countering water retention and relaxing the blood vessel muscles.

 

Guava and Diabetes

Guava helps manage diabetes. According to The Health Site, guava is known for its anti-diabetic properties in the Chinese traditional medicine. As per a study published in Am J Chin Med, a gram / per kilogram of guava juice showed distinct reduction in sugar levels in diabetic clients. In addition, it was found that the fruit has properties similar to insulin, along with its low glycemic index and high fiber content. Having low glycemic index means guava helps prevent a sudden surge in sugar levels while the high fiber content helps maintain normal glucose levels.

 

Guava as Anti-Cancer

Guava also helps prevent cancer, one of the lead causes of mortality worldwide. As per Organic Facts, several studies have demonstrated guava’s abilities against certain types of cancer, such as breast, oral, and prostate. In addition, the oil that comes from the fruit’s leaf has become an anti-proliferative agent, which has shown its power in decreasing cancer growth.

 

Recipe

Guava can me made into a recipe, such as the guava cake. According to All Recipes, the ingredients include half cup of guava nectar, two cups of white sugar, a cup of butter, four eggs, a cup of guava pulp, three cups of cake flour, one teaspoon of ground nutmeg, one and one-fourth teaspoons of baking soda, one-fourth teaspoon of ground cloves, and one-fourth teaspoon of ground cinnamon.

To prepare, as per the publication, an oven is preheated to 175 degrees Celsius. Next, a pan is greased and floured. Then, the flour, soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves are sifted together while the guava pulp and juice are mixed together in another bowl. After that, sugar and butter are creamed together in another bowl, with the eggs added one at a time. Once done, the flour and guava mixture are added alternately to the creamed mixture. Then, the resulting batter is poured into the prepared pan. Finally, the cake is baked at 175 degrees Celsius for 30 to 35 minutes.

With its health benefits, guava is considered beneficial to the body. So, adding it to various meal recipes contribute to the promotion of man’s health and wellness.

 

 

 

 

Source: momjunction.com

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