Abstract
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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Food as Medicine |
| Publisher | Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
| Pages | 271-290 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781624177477 |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
Keywords
- Antimutagenic
- Guava
- Health benefits
- Infectious disease
- Nutritional value
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
