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.

It 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.

Benefits of Guava/Amrood

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.

Common Health Issues in Getting Pregnant and Ways to Deal with It

Common Health Issues in Getting Pregnant

Now a days, most of the couple are suffering from the problems of non-fertility or women not getting pregnant because of the common health issues in women or men. Couples, whether they are newly married or getting old (above 35) for getting baby, suffer some natural problems, unhealthy diet induced problems, heavy medication complications, environmental problems, accidental deformity, genetic problems and many other causes of non-fertility. Fertility related health issues in both partner is horrible however it is enough for the couple to have lack of baby in their life if only one partner is affects with such problems.

Couples should be conscious about their health and they must see doctor if female partner is not conceiving even after having a regular, unprotected and happy sex life for more than a year or six months if they are over 35. Some of the infertility problems have proper treatment however some not. Couples suffering from infertility problems must consult their genetic counsellor to know whether they suffer from inheritable health issues which affect their fertility level. Below I have mentioned some points under some logical headings which let you have the clear idea about the common health issues in getting pregnant due to the fertility problems in women or men:

Common Health Issues in Women in Getting Pregnant

Some of the common health issues related to infertility among women are discussed below:

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is a medical condition caused due to the hormone disorder which affects the ovaries ability to release matured eggs into the fallopian tubes. However it is fully curable by contacting to the gynaecologist and nutritionist as well as maintaining proper and healthy diet plan.
• Irregular Menstruation: irregular menstruation means a woman has missed period, heavy bleeding, less bleeding, fluctuating dates and days of periods, etc may affect the fertility level and pregnancy.
• Premature Ovarian Failure: Premature Ovarian Failure or POF is another medical condition in which woman’s ovaries stop functioning before the age of 40. It shows common symptoms of irregular periods, vaginal dryness, mood swing, hot flashes, irritability and etc.
• Anovulation: Anovulation is the medical condition in which woman’s ovary stops releasing egg. However this condition has proper cure using ovulation induction medications.
• Uterine Fibroid: Uterine fibroids are the indications of benign tumour in the uterus causing abnormal bleeding and infertility. It can be removed surgically however depends on the size and location.
• Premature Menopause: premature menopause, means lack of periods before the age of 40, is another genetic medical condition causing infertility. In such condition there is little chance of getting with own eggs however getting pregnant with egg donation is possible.
• Low Ovarian Reserve: It is the medical condition in which ovary releases less number of eggs with poor quality thus the chances of getting pregnant reduces.
• If woman is suffering from sexually transmitted diseases including Chlamydia, gonorrhoea or other problems like ovarian cyst, pelvic inflammatory disease, past history of ectopic pregnancy and etc then the chances of infertility increases in the past.
• Past history of three or more miscarriages and anti-inflammatory and antidepressant medications also impair fertility level.
• Endometriosis: Endometriosis is the condition in which uterus inner lining tissues enters to other body organs means abdomen or fallopian tubes causes pain, inflammation, internal bleeding which feels woman that she suffers irregular menstrual cycle.
• Overweight woman having BMI more than 29 or too much underweight having BMI less than 19 may also get problem in getting pregnant.
• Fallopian Tube Damage: Fallopian tube damage can be complete or partial or it can be blocked naturally. It can be corrected through the tubal reconstructive surgery.
• Sometimes excessive exercise and environmental toxins also contributes to the fertility level.
• Some other cases like primary ovary insufficiency, failure to ovulate, structural issues in reproductive system, infections, implantation failure, autoimmune disorders and etc may lead to the problems in getting pregnant.
• Tobacco use by the woman for long term may also interfere with the ovulation and can cause pregnancy problem.
• Implantation failure, genetic defects, embryonic defects, autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, past history of asthmatic pregnancy and other cases may lead to the problems in getting pregnant.

Common Health Issues in Men in Getting Pregnant

Men health issues are equally involved like women in not getting pregnant, some of which are mentioned below:

• Sexually transmitted diseases.
• Erectile disfunctioning and sperm ejaculation problem.
• They got infected with mumps after puberty.
• Cancer, tumour or cyst development in the testicles.
• Injured or undescended testicles or any type of surgery performed in the groin area.
• Some heavy medications like antihistamines, beta blockers and etc may interfere with the fertility level.
• Long illness of diabetes, heart disorders and thyroid problem.
• Some genetic medical conditions like Klinefelter’s or Down syndrome also affect fertility among men.
• Men working in close contact with poisonous chemicals, pesticides, lead or harmful radiations.
• Overweight or underweight men having BMI more than 29 or less than 18 may have low fertility level.
• Men with absence of sperm, low quality sperm count, poor motility, blockage of sperm duct, taking sperm antibodies, impotence, sex hormone problems, varicocele (means too large testicles) and etc lead to infertility.

Excessive Smoking, Drinking and Drugs

If both of the partners have past and present history of heavy smoking, drinking and drugs intake may suffer infertility. Some of are mentioned below:

• Smoking and drinking alcohol or caffeinated drinks before or during pregnancy may cause serious risks for pregnancy.
• If taken during pregnancy causes miscarriage and stillbirth and before pregnancy by any partner causes infertility or defects in baby due to low quality sperm or ova.
• Caffeinated drinks may cause birth defects or risk of low birth weight.
• Illegal drugs intake like amphetamines, heroin, cocaine and etc may cause low birth weight, birth defects, premature birth, still birth, growth retardation, behavioural problems, miscarriage, foetal distress, stillbirth and hepatitis.

Ways to Deal with It

There are many ways to deal with all the above discussed problems which help in improving the chance of becoming pregnant:

• Planning by both partners before getting pregnant is good idea to have healthy pregnancy.
• It is better to start healthy diet, physical exercises and following good life style to have healthy pregnancy.
• Getting proper treatment of the infertility problems under authorized doctor, before getting pregnant.
• Woman should go with proper care and treatment for their menstruation, ovulation and etc problems related to pregnancy and health.
• Both of the partners must take off from bad life styles like alcohol drinking, smoking, drugs intake and lazy routine in order to get healthy sperm and ova.
• Normal physical exercises should be started by both partners to maintain their weight and get free of overweight or underweight problems.
• Exposure to the harmful chemicals, heavy metals and radiations should be avoided or reduced.
• Meditation or yoga can be practiced in order to keep mind fresh, relaxed and stress free.
• Try to get enough sleep for 6 to 8 hours daily during night.
• Couple must discuss their past history, present history and genetic problems with their gynaecologist to get proper treatment if any of them suffer.
• Try to get pregnant in healthy age period means before 35 years of age.
• All the required tests before getting pregnant should be done to get confirmed about the condition.
• Infertility problem is curable through medicines, surgical procedures, artificial insemination, assisted reproductive technologies and etc.

How Will Your Life Change after having a Baby?

Congratulations!! Finally you have made an entry in parenthood. You are loaded with overwhelming joy, excitement and fulfillment and will soon face some wonderful and unexpected changes in your life. The exhausting and tiring nine months of pregnancy seems worth when you hold your little one in your hand, when he cuddles in your arms, when he smiles at you and when you know that you both are like each other’s worlds.

However, there will be times when your emotions will be conflicted. The joy, happiness and excitement of having a baby will be smothered by the tiredness, exhaustion and 24/7 caretaking demands. At times, you will express anger towards your baby, but it will soon turn into guilt. You would not be able to do anything with routine as now your little helpless baby will set your daily routine. From your waking to eating, working, sleeping or any other activity, all will be governed by your baby activity.

Recall that Johnson and Johnson’s ad campaign in which they show that how having a baby changes everything i.e. feeling baby’s pain more than anything else, enjoying working with one hand and holding baby in other, understanding every clue of that little life. Bingo! The ad actually hits the truth. It’s a superb feeling to be a mother provided you accept the changes with a smile. Otherwise, having a baby can take its toll on you.

No doubt, changes are there but changes are always not bad. The first few months or a year may surprise you with the transformation, but soon the recognition and response to her make you feel connected and needed. You will learn to handle and adjust. However, before that you must know what all good or bad changes are expected after having a baby.

Knowing about changes might prepare you so that you do not scream on the dramatic changes in your life.

Social life after baby

After a baby, you are sure to join a huge club so called parenthood club which will have lots of mothers, their toddlers or new born enjoying long hours discussion on baby. Smiling at strangers with baby or adoring others’ children will be your new activity. Now, you will no more feel annoyed with other’s children nuisance instead will smile thinking about your own.

On the other hand, your social life which was before baby will be a far off idea. Outing with friends, watching movie with your partner, visiting at relatives’ place or attending any social gatherings will require you to think thousand times.

Major change in lifestyle after having baby

Now, you are no more that independent and free person planning your schedule on your will. You will now turn into a multitasking superwoman handling any type of work while baby in hand. Preparing food with one side occupied with baby and other moving a ladle, humming lullabies for your baby to make him sleep and working on laptop with another, picking things in one hand and holding baby in other, dancing to make him feed, managing in bathroom along with him, will be some common incidents in your day to day life.

Relationship with partner after a baby

No matter, how strong you were as a couple, even the strongest relationships are being tested while handling baby issues. Your relationship would officially be rocked for few initial months.

• Your husband may not know handling things well which may despise you every time when he changes the diapers, mixes the bottle, or feed the baby. You might watch your husband longingly and resent him while he leaves for work and you staying at home. May be sleep deprivation and hormonal changes are the reasons but you will surely face these issues.
• Your sex life will probably take a nosedive. Though, you are restricted for the same for initial six weeks but even if you get the go-ahead signal from the doctor, you still feel not ready. The stress, exhaustion, mood swings, lack of romance and breastfeeding whole night may be the other issues which hold you back.
• Frankly, at times, you will forget the existence of your partner. Your world revolves so much around your baby that you could not take out any time to give some care, love and time to your partner. Though, you love your baby than anything else but remember, it is your strong bonding as a couple which your baby needs the most.
• Now, there will be nothing like downtime when you can spend few hours sitting on the couch with partners’ arms around you and enjoying a romantic movie. The time you get besides your baby will now be consumed in cleaning up, prepping things for other day, household chores and others.
• Snapping, yelling or feeling hurt will be common occurrence. Calling out with lovely, sweet and pet names will be more difficult. The anger, frustration and inability of managing things will often leads to short fights between you.

However, despite all these ups and downs in your relationship, you both will share a new bond, the bond of being parents to a beautiful, innocent and lovely life. You both have a common reason to celebrate. No matter, how much your relationship is affected, but one thing is same, the emotions towards your baby which will bring both of you closer. The same baby who had created differences between you will bring smile, laughs and happiness on your faces.

Physical fitness after baby

Watching your baby weight increasing during pregnancy can be the most satisfactory thing. However, shedding of the same weight becomes the major challenge after pregnancy. Your breast size increases, which is often permanent. The tummy flab resists you from wearing desired attires. No admiration left while looking into mirror. On top of it, the lack of time which stops you in putting any efforts to attain pre-pregnancy weight adds to your worries.

Apart from this, chronic exhaustion, physical discomfort due to delivery, lack of sleep, 24/7 caretaking demands and body aches tumble down your excitation.

Emotional changes after a baby

Your thoughts are occupied by the feelings of anxiety, worry, joy, and pure love. You tirelessly try hard to become a good parent. You want to give the best care and protection to the baby along with right upbringing. Every second, every moment of your life has become all about her/his.

Your changed perspective towards the world makes you consider it dangerous and scarier for baby. Carelessness and ignorance has left your world as you have become cautious with every move of your baby. Now, you do not admire a rose closely just because baby is in your hands. Yet, you try to see the world with your child’s eyes for whom; it is a wonderful and amazing thing.

The feeling of being a mom will give you huge confidence. Nothing has changed, but still you will feel self-dependent, responsible, mature and a caring and loving person within you.

Your love and respect for your own parents would have increased manifold as you can very well understand the emotional turmoil they had faced.

Expecting to be a top-notch parent is everyone’s wish. Yet, sometimes we want a break from our baby but soon get clouded with guilt. Don’t blame yourself for this feeling as this is perfectly normal.

Change in behavior after baby

Patience has become more important now and you are accepting it. Unlike pre-pregnancy days, now you do everything how your baby wants you to do. You know moving somewhere means first feeding baby, packing her stuff, change her and then leave. Though, it takes lot more time but you have learnt adjustment. Now you can wait for your things as baby is on priority.

Alarm clocks in your home are of no use anymore as your child turns to be the best and perfect alarm for you. You have learnt getting out of bed on time and finishing your stuff in time.

By now, you may be falling for junk and street food to satisfy your culinary whims. However, now you will start respecting your body as this will be the greatest support for you when taking care of your child. Moreover, you know indulging in more healthy and nutritious food will inculcate the same habits in your child. Further, it will also boost your baby’s health as he/she is still feeding. You or your husband will now drop any unhealthy habits like drinking or smoking.

Now, you no more get irked with the lack of sleep. You will soon adjust even though; you are up most of the night.

While in public, you do not feel any hesitation or awkwardness making faces and talking in sign language with your innocent helpless child. Public comments and compliments least affect you now. In a way, you will be living your childhood again. You are just happy being with your baby anywhere, anytime and any day.

Bodily functions like poop, vomit will not make you repulsive anymore.

Financial worries

Earlier, when you wanted something, you had to have it by hook or crook. However, now you may need to prioritize things otherwise financial insecurities may trouble you. You yourself will be saving more to ensure the best upbringing for your child.

Professional compromises

One should make her mind to either leave job or to opt for a long maternity leave before having a baby. No matter, how important is your job; you will have to devote at least six months completely for your baby care. Even after that, you will be compromising on several things like dropping promotions as it brings more responsibilities, saying no to challenging projects, avoiding work in odd hours or denying some official parties while managing your work and home simultaneously. Some new moms fail to meet the challenge of handling these two big jobs together and end up quitting their job. This creates financial burden on their family as expenses have increased without any salary hike.