Guava and potential health benefits

The incredible health benefits of naturally occurring fruits and vegetables are a boonto human beings. The diverse array of phytonutrients in these natural products is capableof exhibiting tremendous health promoting activities. Guava (Psidium guajava) is wellknown for its medicinal properties due to its phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoid, andterpenoid compounds. The fruit, leaf, stem, and bark of this berry fruit has been usedfrom ancient days for various ailments. Scientific investigations report a plethora ofevidence supporting its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-diarrheal, antihelminthic, andantispasmodic effects. Moreover, its potential to treat diabetes, cardiovascular diseases,gastroenteritis, hepatotoxicity, and dental decay were substantiated by various in vitroand in vivo assays. The anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive activities anddermoprotective effects of phytocomponents in guava were also reported experimentally.The astounding health benefits and the mechanism of action of guava phytonutrients issummarized in this chapter.