Two whole Guava Fruits, other cut in half and Guava leaves Guava Fruit scientifically called Psidium guajava L (Myrtaceae), this edible fruit belongs to the genus of tropical trees and to the Myrtaceae family originally from America. Its rind in some species is thin and delicate with a pale green to yellow color, in some the pulp is white or orange with small seeds. Rich in vitamins and with nutritional benefits [1].

The nutritional Benefits of Guava comprise, potassium, vitamins A, B, C and K. with nutritional benefits, it reduces the levels of low-density lipoproteins (cholesterol). It is rich in protein, calcium, iron, zinc [1].

Guava Health Benefits

Guava fruit and Guava leaf have wonderful health benefits, they can be used in various ways, such as guava juice, guava fruit snack, guava fruit candy, or as guava tea infused using fresh guava leaf, in the following paragraphs we will provide you with information on the specific benefits of each of the guava presentations as well as the procedures to obtain the maximum benefit from the guava fruit and guava leaf.

Guava Leaf Benefits

Guava Leaf Tea or infusion (Psidium guajava L.) have been traditionally used to control several diseases, Guava Leaf Tea has an antispasmodic, astringent, emmenagogue effect. Pharmacological research both in vitro and in vivo has been widely used to demonstrate the potential of Guava Leaf extracts for the co-treatment of different ailments with high prevalence worldwide, supporting traditional medicine in cases such as:

Helps to control the diabetes mellitus

The health benefits of guava Leaf, is wide range, can be used to treat Diabetes mellitus that affect how your body uses blood sugar (glucose), [4], the consumption of Guava Leaf Tea can significantly low fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, total triglycerides, glycated serum protein, creatinine, and malonaldehyde.

Allows regulate blood glucose levels

This is another of the Guava Health Benefits, many studies has shown a regulation effect of the blood glucose levels when the people drink Guava Leaf Tea. Glucose is vital to your health because it´s an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. It´s also your brain´s main source of fuel.

Contribute to reduce cardiovascular diseases

Regulate blood glucose levels and control the Diabetes mellitus as a Guava benefits, let avoid and reduce the Cardiovascular diseases. Having high levels of glucose in the blood damages nerves and blood vessels, which is why people with diabetes are more vulnerable to risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Used to treat parasitic infections

Many studies has shown the Guava Benefits its antibacterial activity widely distributed in Bangladesh thus offers great potential for use in indigenous, herbal medicine for controlling epidemics of cholera [5].

Excellent to control the diarrhea

Guava Benefits include inhibitory effects on diarrhea producing changes in intestinal microflora, that reduce the upset stomach and diarrhea symptoms.

Helps to regulate of menstruation

The Guava Leaf Tea Benefits is used used for menstrual disorders in Latin America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, the Guava Leaf tea can help to induce menstruation in cases where there are menstruation disorders.

Biological activity has been attributed to the bioactive composition of the Guava Leaf, to some specific phytochemical subclasses or even to individual compounds. It is recommended not to administer during pregnancy or lactation periods. Excessive use may cause headache [2].

Guava Fruit Benefits

It is an important food crop and medicinal plant in tropical and subtropical countries. The extracts of this plant, particularly the leaves and fruits possess useful pharmacological activities. Guava is mainly known for its antispasmodic and antimicrobial properties in the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery.

Numerous pharmacological studies have demonstrated the ability of Guava Fruit benefits to exhibit antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antiallergic, antimicrobial, antigenotoxic (counteracts genotoxic substances that can bind directly to DNA), antiplasmodial (that counters parasites of the genus Plasmodium), cytotoxic, antispasmodic, cardioactive, antitussive, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, supporting its traditional uses [3].

Anticancer capacity

The Guava Fruits Benefits include high potential functional related to pigments who are involved in the process of cancer prevention by having antioxidant activity. The evidences supports the theory that include scavenging free radicals, regulation of gene expression, modulation of cellular signalling pathways including those involved in DNA damage repair, cell proliferation and apoptosis [6].

Good Hepatoprotective properties

The Guava Fruit as well the Guava leaves tea is hepatoprotective, many studies has shown liver tissues normalizations in zones where it was altered and reduced the inflammation.

Has Antispasmodic benefits

One of the Guava Benefits is prevent or interrupt the painful and involuntary contraction (spasm) of the intestinal smooth muscle, prevent spasms of the stomach, intestine or urinary bladder.

Is a very good Antioxidant

Guava fruit Benefits include Antioxidant activity that help to prevent or delay some types of damage to cells. Guava fruit and Guava leaves eliminate free radicals, which are highly reactive chemical substances that introduce oxygen into cells and cause oxidation of its different parts, alterations in DNA and various changes that accelerate the aging of the body.

Many Guava Fruit Benefits and the Guava leaves benefits can be found around the world and many studies are showing the marvelous of this gorgeous plant and its delicious fruit.

Five whole Guava Fruits, two sliced and a glass of Guava Juice

Nutritional Benefits of Guava

For portions of 100 grams of Guava Fruit you can find the following nutritional benefits:

Name	Amount
Water	80.8 grams
Energy	68 kilocalories
Protein	2.55 grams
Total lipid (fat)	0.95 grams
Carbohydrate	14.3 grams
Fiber, total dietary	5.4 grams
Sugars	8.92 grams
Calcium, Ca	18 milligrams
Magnesium, Mg	22 milligrams
Phosphorus, P	40 milligrams
Potassium, K	417 milligrams
Vitamin B-6	0.11 milligrams
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid	228 milligrams
Vitamin A, IU	624 IU
Carotene, beta	374 micrograms
Lycopene	5200 micrograms

Information collected from the webpage of the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Guava Fruit Uses

The use of this fruit in the kitchen can vary, either in the elaboration of sweets or juices. Casquitos of guava, jam and in candy or paste are the most common sweets that can be found of this fruit.

In Venezuela the consumption of this fruit can be whole, smoothies, juices or elaboration of jellies, snacks or jams. Popularly called guava hulls are consumed in syrup.

In Spain it is cultivated and commercialized in the Tropical Coast of Granada. Guavas are currently proliferating either in high profit crops gradually replacing traditional crops such as citrus crops.

Brazil, the guava is called Goiaba with red and white pulp varieties. This fruit is consumed as a sweet snack called "goiabada cascão". It is prepared with the whole fruit including the skins.