The beauty fruit

Guava is a tropical fruit that is believed to have its origin in Central America where it was known as “sand plum”. Guava tree is a tropical evergreen shrub which is why it is a large berry which is round or oval in shape with light green or light yellow skin. The colour of its flesh varies from white or pink to dark red and has edible seeds. Generally it has a strong, sweet and pungent fragrance and its flavour ranges from strawberry or lemon to tropical. It is widely available in India and is locally known as “peru”.

Being rich in Vitamin A and C, this tropical fruit is great for the skin and hair. It is a powerhouse of nutrients like folic acid, potassium, copper and manganese. All these nutrients help regenerate skin cells and combat hair loss problems. So much so, that several cosmetic companies use it in a number of hair and skin treatments and creams.

Guavas are also a great source of Vitamin K, which helps in treating skin discoloration and problems like dark circles, acne irritation and redness. Using the guava as a scrub helps in improving the skin’s complexion and also removes impurities making it look young and fresh.

There are about a hundred other ways to use the guava. While buying guavas, we need to make sure we pick firm ones without any blemishes or soft spots. When using them in a dessert it should be ripe.

If we want to hasten the ripening process of the guava, we could keep it outside in a brown paper bag or in the rice container; otherwise if we would like to hang on to it for a few weeks before eating them, we could store them in refrigerator away from any other fruit.

Benefits of guava:

• Rich in Vitamin C: Guava contains Vitamin C and it helps protect cells and lower cancerous damage to them.
• Lesser Diabetes Risk and Clean System: It is good in cleansing the digestive system and maintaining free bowel movement.
• Eye Health Improvement: Guava is rich in retinol (Vitamin A)
• Regulation of blood pressure levels: Potassium in guavas helps normalise blood pressure levels.
• Nervous Relaxant: Guava is rich in magnesium which acts as a nervous relaxant.
• Healthy Mind: It helps to keep brain functions positive by maintaining good blood flow.
• Improves Complexion: Pink guava helps in making the skin beautiful.
• UV Protection: Lycopene, in guavas, is an antioxidant that protects the skin from being damaged by UV rays and environmental pollution.
• Combats Hair Loss: Being rich in vitamin C, guava is one of those fruits that promote healthy hair growth. It also helps in combating hair loss problems.
• Skin Hydration: Guava is an excellent source of water with 81% of the fruit comprising of water thus playing an important role in skin hydration.
  
  Shalini Dutta
  Msc.Media || PG:1