Guava Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects By Dr. Smita Barode
Introduction:
Guava fruit is recognised as a poor man’s apple due to its low cost and availability through the changing seasons. Though abundant in India, guava is native to tropical regions of Central America and is most popular in Asia. Guava is scientifically called Psidium guajava and belongs to the family Myrtaceae.1,2
If asked about your favourite fruit, you will say mango or apple, not guava, because guava is quite an underrated fruit. It may be those tiny, hard seeds that tend to get stuck in your teeth and irritate you; worry not, we have a solution for you. The easiest and most delicious way to have guava is in the form of guava juice. So, we ask you to give this fruit its true credit by trying super tasty and healthy guava juice.
Read on to know more about the health benefits of guava juice.
Nutritional Value of Guava juice:
Various fruits and fruit juices have immense nutritional value. They are suggested to be included in daily diet. Guava juice is a delicious addition to your diet as it has higher water content than other fruits and is low in fats. It contains dietary fibre, vitamins and essential minerals.1
The nutritional value of guava juice is described as follows-
| Nutrient components | Value/100 g |
| Energy | 56 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 14 g |
| Sugar | 13 g |
| Dietary fibre | 0.5 g |
| Sodium | 12 mg |
| Vitamin C | 24.0 mg |
Table 1: Nutritional Value of guava juice per 100 grams.3
Also Read: Kiwi Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects By Dr. Smita Barode
Properties of Guava juice:
Guava juice contains various active ingredients, such as flavonoids, catechin, quercetin, etc., which might have biological properties beneficial.2
- It may have antioxidant activity
- It may have anti-inflammatory action
- It may have a blood pressure-lowering effect
- It may have antibacterial activity
- It may have a blood sugar-lowering effect
- It may act as an immunity booster
- It may have antipyretic activity (may reduce fever)
- It may have antifungal activity
- It may have an anti-diarrhoeal activity
- It may have an analgesic effect (pain-killer).1,2
Also Read: Mango Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects By Dr. Siddharth Gupta
Potential Uses of Guava juice:
Guava juice may have potential uses for various health conditions; however, more human studies are required to suggest its true extent in humans.
1. Potential uses of guava juice for blood pressure
The health benefits of guava juice might help manage high blood pressure. A study by Thaptimthong et al. 2016 found that guava juice reduces heart rate and high blood pressure. These effects of guava juice might be due to its nutrients such as vitamin C, fibre, potassium, and other compounds. Thus, it might be said that guava juice may positively impact heart health by reducing blood pressure.1
However, this information is insufficient and therefore, we require more human studies to suggest the benefits of guava juice on human health. And if you have high blood pressure, consult your doctors for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
2. Potential uses of guava juice for diabetes
Guava juice may have a blood sugar-lowering activity. It may reduce insulin resistance in persons with diabetes. An animal study (Cheng and Yang. 1982-83) observed that oral intake of guava juice significantly lowered animal blood sugar levels. They found that the essential components of guava juice, such as flavonoids, quercetin, dietary fibre pectin, ursolic acid, etc., were responsible for regulating blood sugar levels and slowing down glucose absorption in the body. Hence, people with diabetes mellitus may use guava juice to manage high blood sugar.1
However, these observations were made during animal studies and hence, further human trials are needed to support its scope in human beings. Therefore, before using guava juice, speak with your doctors and only use it in therapeutic quantities if recommended.
3. Potential uses of guava juice for weight loss
Guava is a good source of vitamins, proteins, minerals and dietary fibre (pectin), which may aid the passage of food and solid waste product through the gut. In addition, guava juice has no cholesterol and traces of carbohydrates. Therefore, it may provide significantly less sugar if you drink raw guava juice compared to other fruit juices. This probably helps increase the proper absorption of nutrients and regulate the metabolism.1 Hence, you may add guava juice to your weight loss regime. However, do not use it to self-medicate on your own; it is better to consult a doctor.
4. Other Potential Uses of Guava juice:
- Guava fruit juice contains trace elements like copper, which might help regulate thyroid hormone production and absorption in the body.1
- Guava juice might have antipyretic properties. The benefits of drinking guava juice might help you reduce dengue fever. If you take guava juice at least three times a day, it might lower the fever.2
- Guava juice benefits might be due to its vitamin C content. Scurvy is a deficiency of vitamin C; having enough guava juice daily may help with vitamin C deficiency.1
- Guava juice is an outstanding source of vitamin A and beta-carotene. These nutrients are responsible for enhancing eyesight and vision. So, if you take guava juice regularly; it might be useful for your eyes.1
- Guava juice may have an anti-inflammatory effect. If you are suffering from long-term pain in your body, drink guava juice; it might help relieve the pain.2
- Guava juice also contains vitamin B, which may help increase blood flow in the entire body and boost brain functioning.1
- It contains magnesium that might act as a muscle relaxant. In addition, you may use guava fruit juice to relax your muscles and nerves in the body.2
- As per Ayurveda, guava juice may have anti-diarrhoeal activity which might be a herbal solution for diarrhoea and dysentery.2
- Pink guava fruit juice contains a higher amount of lycopene antioxidant. It might act as a natural sunscreen and protect your skin from sun damage and environmental pollution.2
Though studies show the benefits of guava juice in different health conditions, these studies are not sufficient. Therefore, further studies are required to establish the true scope of the benefits of guava juice on human health.
Also Read: Amla-Aloe Vera Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects By Dr. Siddharth Gupta
How to Use Guava juice?
Guava juice is prepared from guava fruit pulp. It makes a sweet and tangy nutritious drink. You may use guava juice
- To mix it with other fruit juices to make delicious beverages and cocktails.2
- To make delicacies such as jam and jellies, guava paste, and guava cheese.2
- To make desserts, smoothies and sauces.1
You should consult a qualified doctor before taking herbal supplements made from guava juice. In addition, we recommend you do not discontinue your ongoing medications or replace them with ayurvedic or herbal preparations without consulting your doctor. They will tell you the correct form and dosage per your health condition.
Side Effects of Guava juice:
No study reports the side effects of guava juice. Hence, more studies are required to confirm guava juice side effects on humans.
However, if you experience discomfort after having guava juice, please get in touch with your physician, who advised you to have it; they will provide the proper treatment to overcome your side effects.
Precautions to Take with Guava juice:
Eating anything in small quantities is safe, but excess intake might cause problems. Therefore, general precautions need to be considered.
- There is no major report suggesting the safe use of guava juice for breastfeeding and pregnant women. Therefore, you should talk with your concerned doctors and only have it if they recommend it to you.
- Take extra precautions while giving guava juice to older people and small children.
- You should never use guava juice to self-medicate without consulting with your doctors. Hence, it is crucial to take advice from a qualified doctor.
Interaction with other Drugs:
There is no scientific study reporting any interactions of guava juice with other drugs. However, people should never consider that there are no interactions at all.
Therefore, it is always better to follow the advice of your physician. They will be the best guide to prescribe you the way to have guava juice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is guava juice good for diarrhoea?
Guava juice may have anti-diarrhoeal activity. It may fight against foodborne pathogens, especially those causing diarrhoea and dysentery.1,2
Which vitamins are present in guava juice and what are their benefits?
Guava juice vitamins include vitamin C, B1, B2, and B3. Vitamins are natural antioxidants that benefit against common cold-causing pathogens and boost the immunity.1,2
Does guava juice cause any side effects?
There is no major report suggesting the side effects of guava juice. However, if you experience any harmful effects after drinking guava juice, immediately seek medical help and get treatment to overcome your side effects.
Is guava juice used for diabetic patients?
Guava juice may have an anti-diabetic effect. Studies have shown that drinking guava juice or having a small-sized guava fruit might help in regulating blood sugar levels and slow down the glucose absorption rate in the body.1 However, diabetes is a severe health condition that requires an appropriate diagnosis and treatment by a qualified doctor. Therefore, contact your doctors and only use guava juice if prescribed to you.
Is guava juice safe during pregnancy?
There is not enough information about the safe use of guava juice for pregnant women. Therefore, it is better to avoid having it or consult your doctors.
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
