Guava Powder

Guava is a tropical fruit typically grown in Mexico, the Caribbean, and parts of Central and South America. Guava fruit grows on three varieties of trees within the myrtle family: Psidium guajava, which produces tropical guava, Psidium cattleianum, which grows strawberry guava, and Acca sellowiana, which grows pineapple guava.

As the guava has become more widely cultivated, a multitude of cross-breed and hybrid varieties have been created, but we’re going to focus on the natural guava products. FYZ guava Powder is a spray-dried/ freeze-dried powder, retains all the vital nutrients and flavor of the fresh guava fruit.

1. Regulates Digestion

If you often face issues like diarrhea, constipation, or have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), Davar recommends guava as a high-fiber option to mitigate gastrointestinal issues and optimize digestion. She says the dietary fiber in guava contributes to a healthy gut microbiome. The microbiome in your gut balances healthy and unhealthy microbes in your intestines, which controls digestion, weight gain, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and even immunity, she adds.

2. Boosts Immunity

A 2011 study from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) of half a million people aged 50 to 71 years old, showed that dietary fiber lowered the risk of death from cardiovascular, infectious, and respiratory diseases by 24 to 56 percent in men and 34 to 59 percent in women.

In Mexico, and parts of Africa, Asia, and Central America, guava leaf extract has historically been used “as folk medicine […] due to its pharmacologic activities,” reports the International Journal of Phytomedicine and Phytotherapy. The journal highlights the antibacterial properties in the guava leaf that reduce the growth of bacteria and are often used to treat coughs, swollen gums, and act as an anti-viral agent to prevent an infection.

In addition, guava fruits’ high concentration of “vitamin C has been shown to enhance iron absorption. It captures non-heme iron and stores it in a form that is easily absorbed by your body,” explains Davar.

3. Maintains Blood Sugar Levels

“Diets high in fiber decrease the risk for type 2 diabetes by slowing down gastric emptying and intestinal absorption of glucose, which helps to control blood sugar levels and prevent spikes,” says Davar. Additionally, guava leaf extract may improve hypoglycemia and glucose metabolism in those with type 2 diabetes, per a study published in Phytotherapy Research. The study showed that type 2 diabetic rats who had long-term feedings of either the aqueous or ethanol extract of guava leaves had significantly reduced blood sugar levels, and increased insulin levels.

4. Helps Fight Cancer

Research has suggested that the properties in guava leaves might act as possible prevention and treatment of some cancers. One study in the International Journal of Medicine suggests that lycopene-rich extracts obtained from red guava fruit can induce apoptosis (or the body’s natural process of killing cells) in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. Another study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) explains how dietary fiber, abundant in guava fruit, decreases the risk of developing colon cancer by “reducing digestion and absorption of macronutrients, and decreasing the contact time of carcinogens with the intestinal lumen.”

5. Strengthens Vision

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, daily intake of vitamins A and C (both found in guava), supports eye health. Vitamin C, in particular, slows the progression of age-related macular degeneration and subsequent vision loss.

6. Aids In Weight Loss

So often, when you’re in the thick of a new diet, the only low-calorie options are bland and devoid of nutrients, but not guava. It’s a perfect healthy snack because it’s low in calories and packed with flavor and nutrients. “In regard to weight loss, fresh fruit like guava contains high amounts of dietary fiber—especially pectin—a soluble fiber that can help you to feel full and regulates the digestive system, moving waste through the body quickly and encouraging elimination,” says Savage. “When a sweet craving hits, guava is a naturally satisfying, healthy alternative to typical sugar-sweetened treats, and provides a variety of health benefits,” she says. (Or, try one of these delicious no-sugar-added desserts.)

7. Supports Reproductive Health

Vitamin C and folate are two naturally-occurring nutrients found in guava that are important for fetal development during pregnancy. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), folate, a B-vitamin, allows your cells to divide and helps your body create DNA and genetic material for the fetus. “During pregnancy, folic acid is critical for preventing neural tube defects in babies,” says Savage. “The RDA (recommended dietary allowance) is usually about 400-600 mcg per day.” For reference, one guava fruit contains 27 mcg (micrograms) of folate, according to the USDA. While guava should not be the sole source of folate in your diet, it could be a great addition to the folate in a prenatal vitamin, she adds. In addition, the 377 mg of vitamin C in guava promotes fetal growth, reports the NLM. (Psst, you can get these essential nutrients in prenatal vitamins too.)

8. Promotes Healthy Skin

“Guava’s vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which is protective against damage by free radicals and is essential for the creation of collagen, which provides structural support for your skin and nails,” says Davar. One study from the NLM also suggests that tropical guava leaf extract may even be beneficial in treating acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties. While the verdict is still out on whether guava-infused products are worth the hype.