Guava Health Benefits And Its Appendix Conspiracy

Guava fruit is a nutritious food that contains an enormous source of several vital nutrients such as calories, carbohydrates, sugar, fat, dietary fiber, potassium, folic acid, vitamin A, and C.

Guava fruit contains about four times vitamin C than an orange. Extracts from the leaves and stem of the guava tree is also very beneficial to man as it contains substances of medicinal value.

The common guava is an evergreen tree native to central and South America. It is scientifically known as Psidium guajava – its color ranges from yellow, green, lemon, white, pink, orange, and red.

The leaves of the tree are as important as the fruit. The leaves can be used as feed for livestock. The guava fruit is best eaten fresh in its natural form though it can be consumed after being cooked and served.

Appendix Conspiracy of Guava

At my tender age, I and my siblings will always spend some time climbing to pluck and gather some guava fruits. The freshness and fragrance of the fruit is so sweet and encompassing that we can’t pass by the tree without saying hello by throwing sticks at the tree.

The beautiful lifestyle changed when an elderly woman break the bitter news to us. She said that the seeds of the fruit causes appendicitis and that we should abstain from eating the fruit. My rivalry for this fruit remains to this day!

The conspiracy that guava seed causes appendicitis is a superstitious myth of cause and effect by many African communities. Most times when people don’t know how to ratify mysteries they can’t comprehend, they blame it on some other things.

It has been a common belief among many African communities that appendicitis is usually caused by the consumption of the seeds of the guava fruits. It is also believed that ingesting its seeds can cause inflammation of the appendix. It conspiracy sprout out of ignorance. Researchers have been able to discard the authenticity of this conspiracy with recent discoveries though the true cause of appendicitis still seems to remain obscure.

However, if you ask me if I still eat guava fruit, my answer may shock you! It seems I have developed a phobia for the fruit and had to keep a distance just like social distancing in this COVID-19 pandemic era.

But with this article, I have come to understand that the cause of my social distancing was just a myth.

Health Benefits of Guava

Preventing Cancer

Both the fruits and leaves of guava contain various Anti-oxidants such as lycopene, vitamin C, and other polyphenols compounds that have been found to help prevent the development and spread of cancerous cells. Cancer is caused by free radicals – these antioxidants present in Guava helps boost the immune system and protect it from free radicals.

This protection from free radicals is what prevents the onset and spread of cancer thus lowering its risk among people consuming the fruit.

Reduces Blood Pressure

Guava fruit helps improve the sodium and potassium balance of the body, thus regulating the blood pressure.

Guava helps improves good (HDL) cholesterol levels by reducing bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood which contribute to the development of high blood pressure and heart diseases.

Read Also; The Causes Of High Blood Pressure You Should Know

Diarrhea

Guava leaf tea extract serves as a traditional medicinal treatment for diarrhea and feverish symptoms in many parts of the world, especially among African countries.

Studies have shown that the leaf extract has the potential to treat diarrhea and dysentery as it is believed to contain astringent properties (Astringents are natural alkaline compounds that have disinfectant and anti-bacterial properties that helps to cure dysentery by inhibiting microbial growth).

Treatment of Constipation

Compared to other fruits, guava fruit is a rich source of dietary fiber – it promotes better digestion of food thus preventing constipation. The astringent properties of the fruit also helps to treat other digestive disorders.

Improves Eyesight

Guava is rich in retinol/vitamin A. Vitamin A is responsible for good eyesight. Consumption of guava helps retard the appearance of cataracts and macular degeneration thus prevent blindness and other eye disorders.

Note

Despite the enormous health benefits of guava fruit, it is expedient to know that excess/overconsumption of this fruit can lead to diarrhea.

Guava Health Benefits And Its Appendix Conspiracy

Raphael Okhueleigbe

Raphael Osas Okhueleigbe is a Blogger, Content creator, Agricultural Economist, Resource manager, and the founder of greener health.

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