49. GUAVA

                                                   GUAVA

Nutrition in 100 gm
Calorie	36-50
Moisture	77-86 gm
Carbohydrates	9.5-10 gm
Dietary fibre	2.8-5.5 gm
Fat	0.1-0.5 gm
Ash	0.43-0.7 gm
Proteins	0.9-1 gm
Vit. A (Carotene)	200-400 I.U
Vit. B1 (Thiamin)	0.046 mg
Vit. B2 (Riboflavin)	0.03-0.94 mg
Vit. B3 (Niacin)	06-1.068 mg
Vit. C (Ascorbic acid)	200-400 mg
Iron	0.30-0.70 mg
Phosphorus	17.8-30 mg
Calcium	9.1-17 mg

Every child knows guava or ‘peru’ or ‘jaam’ fruit. Chidren coming home from school in India can be seen happily chewing guava. Ripe guava is light green or yellow from outside and white or pink inside. It has many tiny seeds. But seedless guavas are also found.

Due to its high level of pectin, cooked guava is used to make candies, preserves, jellies, jams, marmalades and juices. Red guava is used as a base in sauces. They can be substituted for tomato for those who are sensitive to the acidity of tomato. Guava fruit and leaves are used to make tea in Asia.

Guavas are rich in vitamin A & C. Hence they are also called ‘super fruit’. The seeds contain polyunsaturated fatty acids( w-3, w-6) and are very high in fibre. A single guava contains more than four times the vitamin C contained in a single orange. It also contains a lot of dietary minerals, potassium, magnesium and essential nutrients.

Guava also contains anti oxidant pigments like carotenoids and polyphenols.

Benefits:

1. Phlegm: Eat raw guava with black pepper powder.

2. Wounds: Paste of guava can be applied on a wound to speed up healing.

3.Haemorrhage: Guava has general haemostatic properties and can be used for treating bleeding nose, gums and minor internal haemorrhaging.

4. Diabetes: The leaves and bark are also used in the cure for diabetes.

5. Diarrhoea: The leaves and bark are used in folk medicine for diarrhoea due to their antimicrobial properties.

6. Cancer: Oil extracted from the leaves is used in treatment of cancer.

7. Extracts from the leaves and bark of guava plant are used in the cure for cancer, bacterial infection, inflammation and pain.

8. Obesity: Being rich in fibre and low in cholesterol, guava is good for those who want to reduce weight.

9. Cough and cold: Juice of immature guava or decoction of the leaves is a good cure for cold and cough.

10. Constipation: Being rich in fibre, it is good for people suffering from constipation.

11. Skin: Wash your face with decoction of leaves or immature fruit to keep skin healthy. Eating ripe guava is also good for the skin.

12. Alzheimer’s disease: Guava combats free radicals produced during metabolism and helps in preventing age-related chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, cataract and rheumatoid arthritis.

13. Loss of appetite: Eating raw guava with salt and black pepper helps improve appetite.