Weight loss query: Can guavas help you to lose weight?

People looking to lose weight should include guavas in their diet.

By: Mansi Kohli | | Updated: January 12, 2018 11:25 am

पेरू - सुमारे 55 ग्रॅम वजनाच्या पेरूमध्ये 125.6 मिलीग्रॅम व्हिटॅमिन सी आढळते. त्यामुळे मधल्या वेळेत लागणार्‍या भूकेच्या वेळी पेरू खा. तसेच यामुळे हृद्याचे कार्य सुधारते. मधूमेहींनादेखील पेरू खाणे फायदेशीर ठरते.

Guava is a nutritional powerhouse fruit that is filled with energy, dietary fibre, and vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, thiamine, and riboflavin. It contains essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and potassium. Ushakiran Sisodia, dietitian at Dr Balabhai Nanavati Hospital, says that as the roughage is high in guava, people looking at reducing weight should include this in their diet. Also Read - Weight loss diet: How to use coconut oil to reduce belly fat

Also Read - Top Immunity boosters from 2020 you should permanently add to your diet

Guava is good for weight loss: The raw guava has less sugar as compared to apples, oranges, grapes, and other fruits. Eating a medium-sized guava in your lunch will help you to stay away from snacks until evening. Ironically, it can also help lean and skinny people to gain weight. This is due to its wealth of nutrients, which regulates the metabolism and promotes proper absorption of nutrients. The leaves of the plant are also equally medicinal as the fruit. Also Read - India's first fully indigenous pneumococcal vaccine launched

Guava is a good energy booster too: Presence of Vitamin B3 in Guava helps to increase blood flow and stimulate cognitive function. The presence of Vitamin B6 is a great nutrient for brain and nerve function. Guava helps to reduce tension and relaxing of nerves. The presence of essential vitamins also helps to enhance concentration. Guava contains high levels of Vitamin C which is up to 350% of the daily quota required by the body.

Guava is packed with anti ageing properties: It is known fact that antioxidants slow down the signs of ageing by reducing the effects of free radicals in the body. Antioxidants also reduce the risk for cancer and heart diseases. Guava is filled with Vitamin C that prevents cell damage and makes it a great antioxidant fruit. Also, the presence of Potassium also helps reduce the negative effects of excess sodium.

Guava also helps in boosting immunity: Juice of raw and immature guavas, or a decoction of its leaves, is very helpful in relieving coughs and colds by reducing mucus, disinfecting the respiratory tract, throat, and lungs, and inhibiting microbial activity with its astringent properties. Guava is a rich source of vitamin C and iron among fruits. It prevents colds and viral infections. In some areas of India, roasted ripe guava is used as a remedy against extreme cases of cough, cold, and congestion. Guavas rich in manganese help the body to absorb other key nutrients from the food that we eat.

Guava can help in fighting diabetes too: Diabetic patients can eat guava without its skin every day. This helps is the reduction of absorption of sugar in the blood. The high level of dietary fibre also helps in lowering blood glucose levels in the body. This reduces constipation and also lowers the chances of developing Type 2 diabetics.

What to look for when buying good quality guava? When a person buys guava, he/she should look for fresh and not very hard or overripe. Also, one should make sure that the skin should be spot free. This seasonal fruit is round or pear-shaped and is light green, yellow or maroon in colour when it ripens. Depending on the type of guava, the core or the inner flesh is either white or maroon. Guava seeds are present in the inner core of the fruit. These are edible and a good source of nutrients as well. The common types of guava include apple guava, yellow- fruited cherry guava, strawberry guava, and red apple guava.

What’s the right way to store guava? The right way to store guava is to wash your guavas well. Depending on the condition of guava, either keep them at room temperature or refrigerate it in a clean place. The shelf life of guava is much more than other fruits. No excessive chemicals or pesticides are required to keep the fruit fresh.

Add more guavas to your daily eating routine: While it is mostly eaten raw (ripe or semi-ripe), it can also be consumed in the form of juice, jams, and jellies. The best ways to include guavas in your daily routine is through fudge, soups, salad puddings, shakes, and juices.

Image source: Shutterstock

Published : January 12, 2018 11:20 am | Updated:January 12, 2018 11:25 am

Read Disclaimer