Guava (Psidium Guajava) | अमरुद
Guava is a popular tropical fruit that is grown in tropical and subtropical climates. India is currently the world's largest producer of guava. Guavas are berries in the botanical sense.
Guava appears to be derived from Arawak guayabo, which means 'guava tree,' via the Spanish guayaba. It has been adapted in a similar manner in many European and Asian languages.
Types of Guava
The apple guava is the most often eaten species and is commonly known to simply as "the guava" (Psidium guajava). Guavas have tough dark leaves that are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate in shape, which are typical of the Myrtoideae family. The flowers are white and have five petals as well as many stamens. The fruits are berries with numerous seeds.
Origin of Guava
Guavas are supposed to have originated in a region that stretches over the Caribbean from Mexico, Central America, or northern South America. Guava cultivation was documented as early as 2500 BC in Peruvian archaeology.
Guavas are one of the few tropical fruits that can be grown to fruiting size in pots inside, which makes them appealing to home growers in subtropical locations. Guava trees can give fruit in two years after being planted from seed and can continue to do so for another forty years.
Guava Fruits
The fruit size depends on the variety and cultivation area. They have a distinct and distinctive scent that is akin to lemon rind but less sharp. The outer skin might be harsh and bitter, or it can be delicate and pleasant. The pulp inside can be sweet or sour, and ranges in colour from off-white ("white") to deep pink ("red" guavas). Depending on the species, the amount and hardness of the seeds in the centre pulp varies.
Culinary Uses of Guava
Guavas are often used to make sweets, preserves, jellies, jams, Guava Syrup and marmalades (such as Brazilian goiabada and Colombian and Venezuelan bocadillo), as well as a marmalade jam used over toast, due to its high pectin content.
Guava is commonly used in the popular beverage agua fresca in Mexico and other Latin American countries. In these areas, guava pulque is a popular alcoholic beverage.
Guava is eaten fresh in many places, usually split into quarters or eaten like an apple, with a touch of salt and pepper, cayenne powder, or a variety of spices (masala). Ripe guava is used to make sinigang in the Philippines. Guava is a popular summer snack in Taiwan, where it can be found on many street corners and night markets, along with packets of dried plum powder mixed with sugar and salt for dipping. Guava is widely eaten in East Asia with sweet and sour dried plum powder mixes. In many nations, guava juice is popular. Fruit salads frequently incorporate the fruit.
Red guavas can be used as a basis for salted items such as sauces, and can be substituted for tomatoes to reduce acidity. An infusion of guava fruits and leaves can be prepared into a drink known in Brazil as chá-de-goiabeira, or "tea" of guava tree leaves, which is considered therapeutic.
Nutritional Value of Guava
Guava Common Nutrition Value Nutritional value per 100 g | |
Energy | 68 kcal |
Carbohydrate | 14.32 g |
Sugar | 8.92 g |
Dietary Fiber | 5.4 g |
Fat | 0.95 g |
Protein | 2.55g |
Vitamins Quantity %DV† | |
Vitamin A Beta-Carotene | 4% 3% |
Thiamine (B1) | 6% |
Riboflavin (B2) | 3% |
Niacin (B3) Pantothenic acid (B5) | 7% 9% |
Vitamin B6 | 8% |
Folate (B9) | 12% |
Vitamin C | 275% |
Vitamin K | 2% |
Minerals Quantity %DV† | |
Calcium | 2% |
Iron | 2% |
Magnesium | 6% |
Manganese | 7% |
Phosphorus | 6% |
Potassium | 9% |
Zinc | 2% |
Sodium | 0% |
Lycopene | 540 micro gram |
Guava Nutrients
Guavas are high in dietary fibre and vitamin C, and have a moderate folic acid content (nutrition table). A single common guava (P. guajava) fruit contains 257 percent of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin C, while being low in dietary energy per usual serving and containing few vital elements. Guava varieties differ in their nutrient content. Despite having only 39% of the vitamin C found in typical kinds, the strawberry guava still delivers 100% of the daily value.
Guava Seed Oil
Guava seed oil is high in beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, copper, zinc, and selenium, and is especially high in linoleic acid. It can be used in cooking or cosmetics.
Guava Health Benefits
Guava is a nutrient-dense fruit. Guava contain more Vitamin C than oranges, as well as other antioxidants, and has been demonstrated to offer a variety of health advantages.
Just a handful of the advantages of eating this tropical fruit are listed here.
Improve Digestion
Fiber is one of the most important elements in guava. By hardening and softening stool, fibre has been found to aid digestion. Rich fiber content in Guava can help with both diarrhoea and constipation symptoms.
Guava leaf extract has also been shown in studies to help reduce the severity and length of diarrhoea. Guava helps people with a variety of digestive problems, including irritable bowel syndrome.
Boost Immunity
Guava is high in Vitamin C, which is essential for immune system function. Vitamin C has been shown in studies to shorten the duration of a cold and combat bacteria.
Healthy Heart
Guava fruit improves the body's salt and potassium balance, consequently lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Guavas also aid to decrease triglycerides and bad cholesterol (LDL), two factors that lead to heart disease. This mystical fruit raises excellent cholesterol levels (HDL).
Prevent Diabetes
Guavas have high fibre content and low glycaemic index. The low glycemic index prevents a fast surge in sugar levels, while the fibre content regulate blood sugar at correct levels.
Prevent Cancer
Guava are rich in Lycopene, quercetin, vitamin C, and other polyphenols like powerful antioxidants that neutralise free radicals in the body, inhibiting cancer cell proliferation." Because it is high in lycopene, guava fruit has demonstrated to be effective in lowering prostate cancer risk and inhibiting the growth of breast cancer cells."
Enhance vision
Guava is well known fruit for healthy eye sight due to the presence of rich Vitamin A content. Vitamin A has the ability improve eyesight. High vitamin A content in Guava can help in prevent cataracts and macular degeneration from developing.
Healthy Brain Function
Guavas are rich source of vitamin B3 and vitamin B6, commonly known as niacin and pyridoxine, which improve blood circulation to the brain, stimulate cognitive function, and relax the nerves, respectively.
Relieves Toothache
Guava leaves have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help to fight infection and kill germs. As a result, guava leaves are an excellent home cure for toothache. Guava leaf juice has also been used to treat toothaches, inflamed gums, and oral ulcers.
Helps in weight Loss
Guava helps in losing weight by controlling body metabolism without affecting protein, vitamin, or fibre consumption. Guava's rich fibre content keeps you full and prevents you from eating unnecessary calories. The result is less calorie consumption, which helps in losing weight. In comparison to apples, oranges, grapes, and other fruits, guava, especially uncooked guava, has significantly less sugar.
Cold and Cough
Guava contains very rich concentrations of vitamin C and iron among all fruits, both of these components have been shown to help prevent colds and viral infections. Cough and cold relief can be found in the juice of raw and immature guavas or a decoction of guava leaves, which helps to clear mucus and disinfect the respiratory system, throat, and lungs.
0 Comments