Glorious Guava

Glorious Guava

Guava, also known as Psidium guajava, is a delectable fruit which is cultivated in many tropical and subtropical countries. It grows native in Mexico, the Caribbean, and both North and South America.

Vitamins, Minerals, & More
The entire guava fruit is edible, but is not usually eaten. The fleshy fruit contains beneficial compounds such as antioxidants, polyphenols, and carotenoids. Guava also contains vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Potassium.

Health Benefits
Guava is not only tasty, but offers many health benefits which have been proven through scientific study:

• Diabetes – Guava juice has been shown to have a blood sugar lowering (hypoglycemic) effect in animal studies. It has been suggested that guava may be used to improve or prevent Type 2 Diabetes. A Japanese animal study showed drinking guava juice long-term may increase insulin concentration in blood plasma, improving blood sugar control.
• Blood Pressure – Multiple studies have shown that eating guava can lower your blood pressure. These studies have proven that guava can bring improvements of 7 to 9 points.
• Blood Lipids – Other studies have shown guava consumption to decrease both total cholesterol and triglycerides and increase “good” HDL cholesterol. Reductions in serum total cholesterol range from 7.9 to 9.9% and decreases in triglycerides range from 7 to 7.7%. Guava-related increases in “good” HDL cholesterol range from an insignificant increase of 4.6% to a significant increase of 8%.

[References available upon request]

Go Guava
Enjoying guava is a great way to benefit your health and body. If guava is new to you, keep an eye out for it in the produce section of your local supermarket or Hispanic/tropical market. Go guava today!

[Photo courtesy of Vic Lic via Flickr]

Water and You - Healthy Hydration

Did you Know…Your Body is over 60% Water?

It’s true! The body is made up water and other materials which all come together to form a human being – YOU! You are not only made up of water, but also other items found in foods you eat each and every day such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Interestingly, foods contain water along with these nutrients, and some foods such as fruits and vegetables are up to 90% water. Although a lot of water is in the foods you eat, your body cannot get all the water it needs from diet alone. It is necessary to drink water every day to stay healthy and energized!

Water, Thirst, and Dehydration

Many people believe that they only need to drink water when they feel thirsty, but the feeling of thirst lags behind the body’s need for water. In fact, when you are thirsty your body has already started to become dehydrated. Dehydration happens when the amount of water exiting your body is greater than how much you take in. This condition can be dangerous and may lead to weakness, exhaustion, mental confusion, or even death. Therefore, it is important to make sure you are drinking enough water. You can easily tell if you are dehydrated by looking at your urine. If it is dark yellow, you need to drink more water. If it is very pale yellow or clear, you are meeting your needs.

Daily Water Needs

In one day the average person loses about 2.5 liters of water. It is easy to see that getting this amount of water requires intake beyond the water found in food. Most people need between 7 and 11 cups of water per day. If you are physically active or live in a hot climate you may need more water than those who live less active lifestyles or reside in northern climates. Drinking extra water is also needed if are ill, pregnant or breastfeeding, or have other health conditions.

Healthy Effects of Water

Water is not just important to meet your body’s fluid needs. It also has many health benefits! Water is needed for every system of your body. It is used to flush bad toxins out of your organs, carry nutrients to your cells, and provide moisture to many body tissues including those in the ear, nose, and throat. Drinking plenty of water can help reduce the risk of developing many types of cancers including bladder, prostate, and breast. It can also help lessen your chances of getting kidney stones, a painful condition which can be caused by drinking too little water.

Water Tips and Tricks

So, now that you know how important water is for your body and health, how can you drink enough? Here are a few tips and tricks to help you take in the right amount of water:

• Keep water within reach at all times
• Drink water before, during, and after exercise
• Eat fruits and vegetables such as watermelon and tomatoes which are mainly made up of water
• Drink beverages such as milk and juice which are mostly of water

Water is important for your well-being! Drinking enough water ensures that you will have more health benefits and less health risks. If you have any questions or concerns about getting enough water, be sure to talk to your health provider. Water isn’t hard to get – always keep it with you and you will find that drinking enough water isn’t so hard after all.

[photo by darkpatator via Flickr]