This is good news for people with diabetes or those at risk.
A few studies involving humans have also shown impressive results.
One study in 19 people noted that drinking guava leaf tea lowered blood sugar levels after a meal. The effects lasted up to two hours (3Trusted Source).
Another study in 20 people with type 2 diabetes found that drinking guava leaf tea reduced blood sugar levels after a meal by more than 10% (3Trusted Source).
Summary Guava extract may help improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes or those at risk.
2. May Boost Heart Health
Guavas may help boost heart health in a number of ways.
Many scientists believe that the high levels of antioxidants and vitamins in guava leaves may help protect your heart from damage by free radicals (6Trusted Source).
The higher levels of potassium and soluble fiber in guavas are also thought to contribute to improved heart health.
Additionally, guava leaf extract has been linked to lower blood pressure, a decrease in “bad” LDL cholesterol, and a rise in “good” HDL cholesterol (7Trusted Source).
Since high blood pressure and high levels of LDL cholesterol are linked to higher risks of heart disease and stroke, taking guava leaf extract could lead to valuable benefits.
What’s more, the fruit may have benefits for heart health as well.
A 12-week study in 120 people found that eating ripe guava before meals caused an overall decrease in blood pressure by 8–9 points, a reduction in total cholesterol by 9.9%, and an increase in “good” HDL cholesterol by 8% (8Trusted Source).
This same effect has been seen in several other studies (9, 10Trusted Source).
Summary Guava fruit or leaf extract may have a positive effect on heart health by lowering blood pressure, decreasing bad cholesterol, and increasing good cholesterol.
3. May Help Relieve Painful Symptoms of Menstruation
Many women experience dysmenorrhea — painful symptoms of menstruation, such as stomach cramps.
However, there is some evidence that guava leaf extract may reduce the pain intensity of menstrual cramps.
A study in 197 women who experienced painful symptoms found that taking 6 mg of guava leaf extract daily resulted in reduced pain intensity. It appeared to be even more powerful than some painkillers (11Trusted Source).
Guava leaf extract is also thought to help relieve uterine cramps (12Trusted Source).
Summary Taking guava leaf extract daily may help decrease symptoms of painful menstruation, including cramps.
Therefore, eating more guavas may aid healthy bowel movements and prevent constipation.
Just one guava can provide 12% of your recommended daily intake of fiber (13).
Additionally, guava leaf extract may benefit digestive health. Studies suggest that it may reduce the intensity and duration of diarrhea (14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).
Several studies have also shown that guava leaf extract is antimicrobial. This means that it can neutralize harmful microbes in your gut that can cause diarrhea (14Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).
Summary Consuming guavas or guava leaf extract may prevent or reduce diarrhea and constipation.
With only 37 calories in one fruit and 12% of your recommended daily fiber intake, they are a filling, low-calorie snack (13).
Unlike some other low-calorie snacks, they are packed with vitamins and minerals — so you aren’t losing out on important nutrients.
Summary Guavas are full of fiber and low in calories, meaning that they may help you feel full and aid weight loss.
6. May Have an Anticancer Effect
Guava leaf extract has been shown to have an anticancer effect. Test-tube and animal studies show that guava extract can prevent and even stop the growth of cancer cells (18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).
This is likely due to the high levels of powerful antioxidants that prevent free radicals from damaging cells, one of the main causes of cancer (19Trusted Source).
One test-tube study found that guava leaf oil was four times more effective at stopping cancer cell growth than certain cancer drugs (20Trusted Source).
Although the results of test-tube experiments are promising, it doesn’t mean that guava leaf extract helps treat cancer in people. Further studies are needed before any claims can be made.
Summary The high levels of antioxidants in guava may help prevent the development and growth of cancer cells.
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seeds. What’s more, guava leaves are used as an herbal tea and the leaf extract as a supplement.
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