Guayaba

Guayabas, better known as guavas, originated in Mexico, but already in ancient times these fruits were cultivated in Central and South America. Remains of the actual fruit and seeds were found during archaeological excavations in Peru revealing that Guavas were part of the diet and natural medicine of Pre-Incan cultures.

Thanks to numerous health-promoting qualities and medicinal properties guayabas are yet another super fruit from Peru.

With varying colors from yellow to pink to red to green Guayabas are the small, round or pear-like shaped fruits of tropical shrubs or small trees belonging to the Myrtle family. The flesh may differ from white to yellow to orange to red and contains a large number of small, edible seeds. Guavas have a very aromatic, distinctive scent. As the fruit comes in so many different appearances, it also varies widely in taste: Guavas can be sweet or sour, taste like pear, strawberry, peach, quince, fig, lemon rind or a mixture of the one or other – so quite exotic.

It can be eaten like an apple with the rind or peeled, cut in half and scooped, sliced or cubed and added to (fruit) salads or chutneys and used to prepare delicious drinks, teas or juices as well as tasty jams.

Health benefits of Guayabas

With all the varieties of Guavas come remarkable health-promoting and medicinal properties making the fruit one of Peru's super foods. Guayaba is extremely rich in Vitamin C (4 times more than oranges). This antioxidant boosts your immune system and protects your cells from free radical damages causing cancer. Additional guavas are a very good source for Vitamin A, good for your eyes, Vitamin B3 and B6, important for your brain, and Vitamin E, vital for a healthy skin.

Moreover Guayabas contain numerous minerals like magnesium which relaxes your body, manganese which helps your body to absorb key nutrients, copper which maintains a good function of your thyroid gland, potassium which regulates blood pressure and folate which promotes human fertility.

Furthermore, peeled Guava reduces the absorption of sugar in the blood making it an ideal fruit for diabetics. Its high dietary fiber content helps easing constipation and makes it effective for lowering the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. A tea made of Guayaba leaves alleviates stomach upsets and diarrhea.

All in all Guava is a real super fruit, perfect for diabetics, people wanting you lose some pounds and everyone looking for a healthy nutrition.