Is Guava Good for Diabetes? Benefits, Glycaemic Index, and How to Eat It Right

Guava is a low-glycaemic tropical fruit rich in fibre, vitamin C, and antioxidants, making it a smart addition to a diabetes-friendly diet. Research shows that guava and guava leaf extract may help regulate blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and support weight management. In this article, discover how guava benefits people with diabetes, its nutritional value, safe ways to include it in your diet, and precautions to keep in mind.

Nutritional Value of Guava (Per 100g)

Guava is a highly nutritious fruit packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Here’s a breakdown of its key nutrients per 100 grams:

Nutrient	Amount (per 100g) of Guava
Energy	68 kcal
Carbohydrates	14.3 g
Fibre	5.4 g
Protein	2.55 g
Fat	0.3 g
Vitamin C	228.3 mg (254% DV)
Vitamin A	31 mcg (3% DV)
Potassium	417 mg (12% DV)
Magnesium	18 mg (5% DV)
Manganese	0.3 mg (15% DV)

Note: DV stands for Daily Value, which is based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

How Guava Helps Control Blood Sugar?

Here are several ways in which guava helps regulate blood sugar levels and support diabetes management:

1. Regulating Blood Sugar

Guava helps regulate blood sugar by inhibiting sugar-degrading enzymes, such as maltase, sucrase, and α-amylase, which slow sugar digestion and reduce blood glucose spikes after meals. 

Guava leaf extract and tea may lower fasting blood glucose levels and improve glucose response after carbohydrate intake. Rich in antioxidants, guava also supports overall diabetes management by reducing oxidative stress, enhancing its potential to help control blood sugar levels and improve metabolic health.

2. Rich in Antioxidants

Guava leaves are rich in antioxidants, including quercetin, kaempferol, and catechins, which help mitigate oxidative stress associated with diabetes. These compounds protect the pancreas and support metabolic health, aiding in diabetes management. Additionally, guava’s low glycaemic index makes it a suitable fruit choice for people with diabetes, promoting better blood sugar control and overall health.

3. Low Glycaemic Index

Guava fruit has a low glycaemic index, which prevents rapid blood sugar spikes, making it an ideal choice for people with diabetes. Its fibre content further slows sugar absorption, stabilising blood glucose levels. Additionally, guava has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, supporting better diabetes management by enhancing the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar more effectively.

4. Improving Insulin Sensitivity

Guava leaf extract enhances insulin sensitivity, a crucial factor in effective diabetes management. Studies show it increases plasma insulin levels and activates glucose metabolic enzymes, enhancing glucose uptake by cells. 

This helps lower blood glucose levels, alleviating hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance. By enhancing insulin sensitivity, guava leaf extract plays a crucial role in managing diabetes and promoting overall metabolic health.

Top 3 Health Benefits of Guava for Diabetics

Here are some of the key health benefits of guava for people with diabetes:

1. Promotes Healthy Digestion

Guava’s high fibre content supports healthy digestion by slowing carbohydrate absorption, preventing blood sugar spikes, and aiding bowel regularity. This helps people with diabetes manage blood sugar levels more effectively. 

Additionally, guava promotes digestive health and supports the immune system, thanks to its rich nutritional profile, making it a beneficial fruit for overall health and diabetes management.

2. Boosts Immunity

Guava, rich in vitamin C, helps boost the immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells and protecting against infections. Its antioxidants, including polyphenols and carotenoids, support immune function and reduce oxidative damage. 

For people with diabetes, guava’s immune-boosting properties are especially beneficial. Additionally, guava aids in weight management, an essential factor in diabetes care and overall health.

3. Weight Management

Guava is a low-calorie fruit (68 kcal per 100g), high in fibre, which promotes fullness and reduces calorie intake, supporting weight management in diabetics. Its fibre slows carbohydrate digestion, ensuring stable energy levels and minimising obesity risk. 

Incorporating guava into a balanced diet helps control weight and improves overall health outcomes, making it a valuable ally for diabetes management.

How to Eat Guava for Diabetes: Smart Tips

Here are some simple ways to incorporate guava into your diet:

• Enjoy fresh guava slices as a healthy snack to satisfy your sweet cravings without adding excess sugar to your diet.
• Consume guava juice in moderation, ensuring it is not overly sweetened.
• Boil guava leaves to make a tea that can help lower blood sugar levels after a meal.
• Eat guava raw after peeling off the skin, or use it in cooked recipes like jams, salads, or desserts, keeping portion control in mind.
• Incorporate guava as part of an overall balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Precautions Before Adding Guava to Your Diabetic Diet

Here are some important precautions to take when consuming guava for diabetes:

• Although guava is low in calories and sugar, it still contains natural sugars that can affect blood glucose levels if consumed in excess. Monitor portion sizes carefully.
• Regularly check your blood sugar levels when introducing guava into your diet to ensure it does not cause any significant spikes.
• Before making any changes to your diet, consult with a doctor or nutritionist to ensure guava fits within your individual dietary needs and health goals.

Takeaway

Guava is a low-GI fruit rich in fibre, antioxidants, and essential nutrients, making it a valuable food choice for individuals managing diabetes. From improving insulin sensitivity to aiding weight control, guava offers a natural way to support blood sugar regulation. 

However, moderation is key. Always monitor your blood sugar response and consult your doctor before adding guava (or guava leaf tea) to your diabetes meal plan.

Expert Quote:
“Guava and its leaf extract can support healthy blood sugar levels due to their fibre and antioxidant content. But people with diabetes need to monitor their response and consume it in moderation.”

– Dr Anubha Karol

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Deguchi, Y., & Miyazaki, K. (2010). Anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects of guava leaf extract. Nutrition & Metabolism, 7(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-7075-7-9
2. Kumari, S. (2016). Effect of Guava in Blood Glucose and Lipid Profile in Healthy Human Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Study. JOURNAL of CLINICAL and DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH. https://doi.org/10.7860/jcdr/2016/21291.8425
3. Luo, Y., Peng, B., Wei, W., Tian, X., & Wu, Z. (2019). Antioxidant and Anti-Diabetic Activities of Polysaccharides from Guava Leaves. Molecules, 24(7), 1343. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24071343
4. Kumar, M., Tomar, M., Amarowicz, R., Saurabh, V., Nair, M. S., Maheshwari, C., Sasi, M., Prajapati, U., Hasan, M., Singh, S., Changan, S., Prajapat, R. K., Berwal, M. K., & Satankar, V. (2021). Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Leaves: Nutritional Composition, Phytochemical Profile, and Health-Promoting Bioactivities. Foods, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10040752
5. Jiao, Y., Zhang, M., Wang, S., & Yan, C. (2017). Consumption of guava may have beneficial effects in type 2 diabetes: A bioactive perspective. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 101, 543–552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.03.130
6. Tousif, M. I., Nazir, M., Saleem, M., Tauseef, S., Shafiq, N., Hassan, L., Hussian, H., Montesano, D., Naviglio, D., Zengin, G., & Ahmad, I. (2022). Psidium guajava L. An Incalculable but Underexplored Food Crop: Its Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology, and Industrial Applications. Molecules, 27(20), 7016. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27207016
7. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/173044/nutrients