Short Answer: Guava is good for diabetes. Because it has antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber and they can help lower blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and protect against complications.
Diabetes is a condition that affects your blood sugar levels and how your body uses glucose for energy.
In diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it properly.
Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose enter your cells.
Without insulin, glucose builds up in your blood and can cause damage to your nerves, blood vessels, and organs.
One of the key factors in managing diabetes is diet.
What you consume can affect your blood sugar levels, which can impact your diabetes symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage diabetes, you should consume fiber-rich foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and avoid refined carbohydrates and added sugars like white bread, candy, and soda.
Now, guava is a tropical fruit that has a yellow or green skin and a pink or white flesh.
People usually eat it raw, cooked, or as juice, jam, or tea.
Guava is good for diabetes because it contains antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
These nutrients can help lower blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and protect against oxidative stress and inflammation.
One medium guava (about 165 grams) can give you 112% of your daily vitamin C needs, 12% of your daily potassium needs, and 9 grams of fiber (36% of your daily needs).
Vitamin C can help boost your immune system and prevent infections, which are common complications of diabetes.
Potassium can help regulate your blood pressure and prevent kidney problems.
Fiber can help slow down the absorption of glucose and lower your cholesterol levels.
Furthermore, guava is a low glycemic index (GI) food and low GI foods are good for diabetes.
Because, they don’t cause sudden spikes or drops in blood sugar levels.
You can eat one or two guavas per day safely.
More than that can cause diarrhea, bloating, or gas.
Also, you shouldn’t eat guava if you have a latex allergy to prevent an allergic reaction.
Because, guava contains a substance called chitinase that is similar to latex.
You can buy fresh guava in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose firm, unblemished, and fragrant guavas.
Because, they are more ripe and nutritious.
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a year.
Read Next
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing diabetes effectively.
I always recommend my diabetes patients to follow a diabetes-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.
