What are the functions and benefits of guava?
Guava generally contains rich nutrients and offers various health benefits, including assisting in blood sugar regulation, promoting intestinal motility, supplementing vitamins, enhancing immunity, and supporting healthy skin. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Assisting Blood Sugar Regulation
Guava is rich in dietary fiber and has a relatively low glycemic index. Dietary fiber can delay the absorption of sugar from food, preventing rapid fluctuations in blood sugar levels. It can provide certain auxiliary benefits for individuals needing to control their blood sugar levels, and moderate consumption helps maintain stable blood sugar.
2. Promoting Intestinal Motility
The dietary fiber in guava helps move food residue through the intestines, accelerating bowel movements. It also absorbs water in the intestines to soften stools, alleviating difficulties in defecation. This can help improve constipation and prevent intestinal blockage, making it suitable for individuals experiencing mild bowel difficulties.
3. Supplementing Vitamins
Guava is rich in various vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin A, which are essential components in human metabolism. Vitamin C participates in oxidation-reduction reactions in the body, while vitamin A helps maintain normal eye function. Moderate consumption of guava can supply these vitamins and support normal physiological functions.
4. Enhancing Immunity
The vitamin C and multiple minerals in guava provide nutritional support to the immune system, assisting immune cells in functioning effectively and reducing the impact of harmful external substances on the body. It can help strengthen immunity and reduce the likelihood of illness, especially suitable for consumption during seasonal transitions.
5. Supporting Skin Health
Vitamin C in guava aids in collagen synthesis, helping maintain skin elasticity and reducing skin dryness and roughness caused by external factors. Additionally, the antioxidant properties of vitamin C can help reduce adverse effects on the skin, supporting the maintenance of healthy skin condition.
Furthermore, it is recommended to thoroughly wash guava before consumption to avoid surface impurities. Individuals with weak gastrointestinal function should control their intake to prevent discomfort such as bloating and indigestion caused by excessive consumption. Diabetic patients should also monitor their blood sugar levels when consuming guava to ensure dietary safety.