Health Benefits of Guava (Amrood)

About Guava/Amrood

Guavas are the most nutritious fruit found everywhere in the world. Generally it is found in both seasons like winter and summer. It belongs to the Myrtle family (means Myrtaceae) and has around 100 species. They are cultivated in the Mexico, northern South America, New Zealand, Central America, Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, North America, Australia, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Spain.

Benefits of Guava/AmroodIt is also known by the name amrood, armoot and pera. It is liked by everyone as it has various health benefits and cheaply available in the market. Its skin may be smooth or rough and available in bitter or sweet tastes. It is available in many colors like yellow, green or maroon or red. It is cultivated in any tropical or subtropical countries. It is used in many eatable things like candies, jellies, jams, preserves, marmalades, juices and etc.

Guava or Amrood is considered as the super food (loaded with numerous health benefits) which is bestowed by the nature to all of us. It is very affordable and cheap which is beneficial to all without any marked side effects. Here I am listing some of its health benefits:

Regulates Blood Pressure

• Guavas are most advantageous fruit having ability to effectively regulate the blood pressure as it has high potassium level.

Manages Cholesterol Level

• It also reduces the bad cholesterol levels in blood and prevents from various heart diseases.

Treats Constipation

• It is beneficial for the person having constipation problems because of its high fibre content.

Prevents Cell Damage

• Vitamin C level found in the guava is four times more than the oranges. Antioxidant property of the guava prevents cell damage from the free radicals as well as lowers the risk of cancer.

Promotes Functioning of Thyroid Gland

• Guava contains iodine which promotes the well functioning of the thyroid gland and its copper content helps in the production and absorption of this hormones.

Contains High Level of Manganese

• Guava also contains high level of the manganese which is a best enzyme activator utilizes some nutrients such as the biotin, thiamine and ascorbic acid.

Enhances Blood Circulation

• Its richness in the B group vitamins promotes the brain and nerve functioning by enhancing the blood circulation.

Maintains Eye Health

• Guava maintains the eye health, improves the vision and prevents from variety of eye problems due to its high level vitamin A.

Relaxes Nerves and Muscles

• The magnesium content of the guava has relaxing effect on the nerves and muscles.

Cleanses Digestive System

• Guava has cleansing property and cleanses the digestive system as well as maintains the bowel movement as it is rich in fibres.

Low Calorie Fruit

• Guava is a low calorie and low fat fruit having vital vitamins, phytonutrients, flavonoids, minerals, antioxidants, poly-phenolic and etc which play a great role in preventing cancers and early ageing as well as boosts the immune system.

Prevents from Colon Cancer

• The fibers found in the guava acts as a laxative which helps in preventing the colon cancer.

Prevents from Lung and Oral Cavity Cancer

• Flavonoids such as beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, cryptoxanthin and etc found in the guava protects from the cancer of lung and oral cavity.

Treats Bacterial Diseases

• Guava is very beneficial in treating the diarrhea, dysentery and other small problems.

Strengthens Digestive System

• Amrood is alkaline in nature and acts as an antiseptic and anti bacterial thus strengthens the digestive system and prevents from the gastroenteritis.

Inhibits Growth of Cancerous Cells

• Regular consumption of the guava inhibits the growth of cancerous cells thus prevents from the variety of cancer like prostate cancer, breast cancer, and etc.

Promotes Wound Healing

• Guava provides relief from the toothaches, swollen gums as well as oral ulcers. It speeds up the wound healing process.

Provides Relief from Respiratory Diseases

• It provides relief from the asthma, acidosis as well as the lungs congestion.

Improves Iron Absorption

• The contents found in guava like Vitamin E, K, B group vitamins, minerals (copper, magnesium, manganese) are very helpful in the blood formation. Vitamin C increases the iron absorption in the body.

Cures Piles

• Guava helps in curing the piles by softening stools and improving metabolism due to its high fiber content.

Treats Acidity and Heartburn

• Amrood helps in treating the acidity and heartburn as it is high in potassium which neutralizes the stomach acids.

Treats Kidney Stones

• Having guava in diet regularly helps in treating the kidney stones by preventing the stone formation as vitamin C absorbs the extra calcium in the body.

Benefits of Guava for Diabetes

Lessens Sugar Absorption in Blood

• Regular consumption of the guavas lessens the sugar absorption in the blood due to its high fibre content thus it is too beneficial for the diabetic persons. Its high fibre level lowers the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Benefits of Guava for Women

Rich Source of Folates

• Guava helps a lot to the women suffering from the infertility problems as it is rich in the folates which have the fertility promoting property.

Relieves during Menstruation

• Eating Amrood regularly helps in getting relief from the excessive and prolonged bleeding and menstrual cramps during the menstruation.

Treats Excess Vaginal Discharge

• Guava leaves is used in treating the excessive vaginal discharge in women when the private parts are washed by using the extracts of boiled guava leaves.

Benefits of Guava for Skin

Prevents from Skin Ailments

• Amrood is very good source of the Vitamin E and Vitamin C which have astringent and antioxidant property which nourishes the skin and prevents from variety of skin ailments such as scurvy and etc.

Prevents Skin Damage

• Guavas available in the pink color have lot of lycopene (like tomatoes) which prevents skin damage by UV rays, rejuvenates the skin and protects from the prostate cancer.

Benefits of Guava Leaves

Provides Relief from respiratory Problems

• Guava leaves have lot of medicinal and astringent properties. The juice from the guava leaves provides instant relief from cough and cold by reducing mucus creation, cleansing respiratory tract and preventing bacterial growth in the throat.

Benefits of Guava for Weight Loss

Increases Metabolism Process

• Guava is helpful in the weight management strategy as it is rich in roughage, proteins, minerals, vitamins and fibers. It aids in the metabolism and increases the absorption of nutrients in the body.

Benefits of Guava for Hair

Promotes Hair Growth

• Guava is very rich in vitamin C which promotes the healthy hair growth by preventing from all the hair loss problems.

Benefits of Guava for Pregnancy

Provides Relief from Morning Sickness

• Guava is very beneficial for the pregnant women and her unborn baby as it is loaded with the number of vitamins, nutrients, folic acid, calcium and etc which provides a pregnant women relief from the morning sickness.
• It should also be avoided over eating of the high fiber diet in pregnancy as it may lead to the diarrhea.

Guava as a Home Remedy

Guava or Amrood is used as various home remedy in the following ways:

Treats Tooth Pain

• Chewing the guava leaves twice a day or gargling with boiled water (in which guava leaves is boiled) is the best home remedy to treat the tooth ache.

Treats Constipation

• Eating guava continuously for a week is helpful in treating the constipation problem.

Relieves Dried Cough

• Eating roasted guava in the sand or eating a fresh amrood (without cutting with knife) in the early morning provides relief from the severe and dried cough.

Treats Mouth Ulcers

• Applying guava leaves paste to the mouth provides relief from the mouth ulcer.

Treats Loose Motion

• Drinking the guava juice mixing with palm candy provides relief from the loose motion.

Relieves Headache

• Applying the paste of guava for a week on the forehead for 5 mins before sunrise provides relief from the severe headache.

Relieves Seasonal Cold and Cough

• Eating slightly ripe and roasted guava with salt helps in relieving from the seasonal cold and cough.

Relieves Joint Pain

• Applying the paste of fresh and soft guava leaves on the area affected with gout or joints pain provides instant relief.

Nutritional Benefits of Guava/Amrood per 100 g

(Source: USDA Nutrient Database)

Energy: 68 Kcal

Carbohydrates: 14.3 g

Protein: 2.55 g

Fat: 0.95 g

Dietary Fibers: 5.4 g

Vitamins

Folates: 49 µg

Niacin: 1.084 mg

Pantothenic acid: 0.451 mg

Pyridoxine: 0.110 mg

Riboflavin: 0.040 mg

Thiamin: 0.067 mg

Vitamin A: 624 IU

Vitamin C: 228 mg

Vitamin E: 0.73 mg

Vitamin K: 2.6 µg

Electrolytes

Sodium: 2 mg

Potassium: 417 mg

Minerals

Calcium: 18 mg

Copper: 0.230 mg

Iron: 0.26 mg

Magnesium: 22 mg

Manganese: 0.150 mg

Phosphorus: 11 mg

Selenium: 0.6 mcg

Zinc: 0.23 mg

Phytonutrients

Beta carotene: 374 µg

Lycopene: 5204 µg

How to Select and Store

Always buy fresh guavas from the market and select well ripe, bright green or bright yellow, hard, soft, intact skin, medium sized guavas. Avoid buying bruised, wrinkled, spotted, too soft, too hard and infected guavas. Buy in little amount and finish within time as they become wrinkled and over ripe after two to three days. It can be stored at room temperature for 3-4 days however in the refrigerator for one week.

How to Enjoy

Guavas can be fully enjoyed during whole winter season. It can be enjoyed as a whole fruit, fruit salad, fruit cream, sliced, chopped, roasted and other ways according to the requirement of person.

Disadvantages and Side Effects of Guava

• Overeating of the guava should be avoided by the pregnant women or breastfeeding women as it may cause loose motion due to its high fibers content.
• Eating too much of the guava may cause tooth decay, nails and hair thinning, weakness, skin problems and etc due to the high fructose availability.

How Many Guavas A Day

As guava is the natural source of Vitamin C, eating one guava a day provides the daily requirement of the vitamin C. Eating one or two guava is good but it should be noted that overeating of any fruit may be harmful to the health.

Health Benefits of Beetroot (Chukandar)

About Beetroot/Chukandar

Beetroot or Chukandar is also famous by the name garden beet, table beet, red beet, golden beet or commonly as a beet in the North America. The various varieties of the beetroot are commonly found in Europe, North America and Central America.

The green leafy part of the beet can also be eaten just like spinach. One of the most famous contents of the beetroot called Betanins (found in the root) is used as red food colorants. Eating beetroot may change the urine color to pink in some people.It can be eaten raw as a salad, roasted or boiled as a cooked vegetable by mixing oil and vinegar. In the Eastern Europe it is taken as a soup as a very popular dish. Whereas in India, it is eaten as chopped, boiled, cooked or spiced pickle of the beet. Pickled beet is also a traditional food in the South America.

Benefits of Beetroot/Chukandar

I was always encouraged by my mother and my grandmother to add some beetroot in my diet because of its variety of beneficial importance. It is a very good natural antidote for the anemia, it also enhances the physical endurance of the person to work out more. Here I am pointing all the beneficial aspects of the beetroot and answering too that why you should also add some beetroot in your diet:

Controls Blood Pressure

• Beetroot aids in controlling the blood pressure as it is a nitrates rich vegetable (nitrates then converted to the nitrites and nitric oxides) which relaxes the arteries and helps in reducing the blood pressure.

Prevents Plaque Formation in Arteries

• Eating beetroot regularly helps in preventing the plaque formation and bad cholesterol as it is a vegetable having high amount of soluble fibres and antioxidants like betacyanin (provides color to the beetroot) and flavanoids.

Prevents Deposition of Bad Cholesterol

• These antioxidants prevent the deposition of bad cholesterol in the artery walls by just reducing the oxidation of bad cholesterol and thus protect the heart from possible heart attacks and stroke.

Makes Bones and Teeth Strong

• Beetroot or Chukandar is a great source of minerals like silica which is very helpful in beating the osteoporosis. Silica is a significant component required for the body to use calcium which makes the bones and teeth healthy.

Keeps Blood Sugar under Control

• Beetroot also keeps the diabetes under check, since beetroot is fat free and low in calories as well as with medium Glycemic Index. Because of its medium glycemic index it slowly releases the sugar into the blood and thus keeps the blood sugar level normal.

Treats Anemia

• Eating beetroot properly helps in treating the anemia as it is a good source of lot of iron which helps in making the haemagglutinin (part of blood which carries oxygen and nutrients to the body parts).

Boosts Energy Level

• Beetroot increases the physical body endurance by boosting the energy level and relieving the fatigue because of its nitrate content which dilates the arteries and enhance proper oxygen transportation to the body parts.

Improves Sexual Health

• Beetroot is famous as a “Natural Viagra” as it enhances and improves the sexual health and stamina. As it is rich in nitrates which release the nitric oxide to the body and relax the blood vessels, it increases the blood flow to the genital organs. Another aspect, it is the good source of boron which is very important for the human sex hormone production.

Prevents from Cancer

• Regular eating habit of the beetroot protects the person from various cancers (like breast and prostate) because of its betacyanin content. Betacyanin triggers the slow tumor growth.

Regularizes Bowel Movements

• It keeps the person away from the constipation, makes the stomach healthy and regular bowel movements due to the high soluble fibres which work as a laxative and has cleansing effect on the colon.

Boosts Brain Power

• Beetroot has capability to boost the brain power and protect from the dementia due to its nitrate content which increases the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood to the body parts. Nitrate also releases the nitrite which makes the better neural impulses transmission and boosts the brain power.

Protects from Alzheimer’s Disease

• Its folic acid content also protects from the Alzheimer’s disease.

Prevents from Liver Disorders

• It has medicinal effects on the body and prevents from the liver disorders through the detoxification process.

Increases Antioxidant Enzymes Level

• The soluble fibres available in the beetroot increase the antioxidant enzymes level in the body (glutathione peroxidase), enhance the number of WBC and keep the intestinal tract healthy.

Rich Source of Essential Nutrients

• Its high vitamins and minerals contents (like potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, fiber, vitamins A, B, C, beta-cyanine, beta carotene, folic acid and etc) is very beneficial for the healthy growth and development of the body for all ages.

Relaxes Mind

• Chukandar has betaine which is very helpful in treating the depression and tryptophan which helps in relaxing the mind and makes a person able to have sense of well-being.

Acts as a Stomach Acid Tester

• It is used as a stomach acid tester in order to test the stomach acid levels.

Energy Booster

• It high carbohydrate content provides instant energy to the body.

Rich Source of Phytonutrients

• Phytonutrients (betanin and vulgaxanthin) found in the beetroot acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying agent support.

Maintains Eye Health

• The carotenoid phytonutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin plays a great role in maintaining the eye health.

Prevents from Cancer

• The betanin availability in the beetroot prevents both the skin and liver from developing tumour as it expels the cancer causing agents.

Destroys Free Radicals

• The antioxidant property of the beetroot prevents from the ageing by destroying the free radicals.

Prevents from Acidity

• It provides relief from the hypochlorhydria, in which the stomach acidity increases, because of its high fiber content.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

• Its magnesium content provides instant relief from the muscle tension and thus reduces the stress and anxiety.

Provides Relief from Menstrual Problems

• Eating beetroots regularly provides relief from the menstrual problems, tooth aches, headache, backache and other problems.

Prevents DNA Damage

• Beetroot also prevents the cell and DNA damage in the body.

Benefits of Beetroot and its Juice during Pregnancy

Provides Better Nourishment to Baby

• It has amazing beneficial effects for the pregnant women and her unborn babies as it is the richest source of folic acid.

Prevents Baby from Spina Bifida

• Folic acid is very necessary component for the proper formation of the spinal cord in baby and prevents the child from spina bifida (congenital spinal cord disorder).

Energy Booster for Mother

• Beetroot is also a energy booster helps the mother by providing extra energy essential during pregnancy.

Benefits of Beetroot Juice

Instant Energy Booster

• Drinking beetroot juice on daily basis boosts the body performances and increases the muscle strength during exercises because of its magnesium, potassium, iron, vitamins C, A, B6 and folic acid contents.

Keeps Liver Healthy

• Beetroot juice is known as the liver protective food as it has medicinal effect on the liver.

Improves Blood Flow

• Beetroot juice is rich in antioxidants and nitrates which enhance the blood flow all over the body like heart, brain, muscles and etc.

Protects from Heart Diseases

• Taking beetroot juice on regular basis normalizes the blood pressure and prevents from many heart diseases.
• One or two cups juice of beetroot a day is enough to get blood pressure normal.

Prevents from Calcium Deposition into Body

• Raw oxalic acid is found in beetroot juice which helps to remove the calcium deposits from the body and provides relieve from arthritis, varicose veins, kidney stones and etc.

Delays Age Related Problems

• Beetroot juice helps in boosting the body immune system and fighting with inflammation. It protects from all the age related degeneration.

Provides Relief from Fever

• Beetroot juice also provides relief from the glandular fever (or Epstein Barr infection).

Benefits of Beetroot for Wight Loss

Prevents from Obesity

• Its high fibers content and low calories aid a lot in weight loss strategy. It prevents a person from being obese and overweight.

Benefits of Beetroot for Skin

Maintains Skin Health

• Beetroots have amazing benefits for the skin by providing all the essential nutrients to the body which assists in maintaining the healthy skin.

Cures Skin Problems

• Having beetroot juice habitually cures the skin inflammations such as the acne, pimples and boils.

Acts as Blood Purifier

• It works as a great blood purifier and cleanses the toxins from the body thus providing a healthy glow to the face skin. Directly applying its juice on skin removes the dead cells and makes the skin hydrated and elastic.

Makes Skin Smooth and Wrinkles Free

• Its powerful antioxidant property protects the skin from early ageing by deactivating the free radicals. It protects the skin from getting wrinkles and fine lines.

Prevents Skin from Sun Burn

• The lycopene found in the beetroot makes the skin elastic and protects from sun burn and skin cancer.

Removes Dark Spots

• Beetroot juice removes the dark spots from the skin when applied with multani mitti and provides skin a fair complexion.

Benefits of Beetroot for Hair

Promotes Healthy Hair Growth

• Beetroot has all the nutrients required for the healthy hair growth such as protein, carbohydrates, minerals like potassium, calcium, phosphorus and vitamins like B and C.

Relieves Itchy and Dry Scalp

• Applying beetroot juice provides relief from the itchy scalp and dryness because of its anti-pruritic property. The enzyme found in the beetroot destroys the dead cells, dandruff, psoriasis and moisturizes the scalp.

Provides Natural Shades to Hair

• Applying beetroot juice with henna on the hair provides natural reddish-brown shades.

Improves Blood Circulation to Hair Follicles

• Its carotenoids content improve the hair quality, thicken the hair and provide shine to the hair by improving the blood circulation and nourishing the hair follicles.

Nutritional Benefits of Raw Beetroot/Chukandar per 100 g

(Source: USDA Nutrient Database)

Energy: 45 cal

Carbohydrates: 9.56 g

Protein: 1.61 g

Fat: 0.17 g

Dietary Fiber: 2.80 g

Sugars: 7.96 g

Vitamins

Folates: 109 µg

Thiamine: 0.031 mg

Riboflavin: 0.057 mg

Niacin: 0.334 mg

Pantothenic acid: 0.155 mg

Pyridoxine: 0.067 mg

Vitamin A: 33 IU

Vitamin C: 4.9 mg

Vitamin E: 0.04 mg

Vitamin K: 0.2 µg

Electrolytes

Sodium: 78 mg

Potassium: 325 mg

Minerals

Calcium: 16 mg

Copper: 0.075 mg

Iron: 0.80 mg

Magnesium: 23 mg

Phosphorus: 38 mg

Manganese: 0.329 mg

Zinc: 0.35 mg

Phyto-nutrients

Carotene-ß: 20 µg

Betaine: 128.7 mg

How to Select and Store the Beetroot

Buy firm, smooth and red-purple color beetroot from the market. Buying it with greens leafs attached makes easy to store it for three to four days at room temperature. Without leaves it can be stored in freeze for some weeks to maintain its flavor and texture.

Disadvantages and Side Effects of Beetroot

• The high level of homocysteine has harmful effect to the blood vessels thus may lead to the heart diseases, stroke, or other peripheral vascular diseases.
• High level of betanin in the body may change the urine and stool color to reddish. It may seem like hematuria (means the occurrence of blood in urine).
• As beetroot has oxalate so it is avoided by the person having kidney stones or bile duct stone.
• Beetroot or Chukandar juice acts as a good laxative and diuretic, so it may cause some intestinal or stomach problems.
• Having lot of beetroot juice may lower the blood pressure to a great extent and cause faintness and weakness.
• Drinking beetroot juice should be avoided by the patient suffering from the hypertension or urolithiasis.
• Taking concentrated beetroot juice may cause diarrhea.
• Beetroot juice has some allergic side effects such as the chills, fever, burning and itching sensation, rashes and etc so instantly consult your doctor.
• Over consuming of the beetroot juice by the pregnant or breast feeding mother may cause harm to the foetus because of its strong detoxifying effects.

How Much Beetroot to Eat Per Day

It is hard to say that how much beetroot should be eaten by the person a day. As the amount to eat a day may vary to the persons need according to their body type and problems exists. So, it is suggested that one should eat in limit as over eating of the beetroot may lead to some serious problems.