Guava During Pregnancy: Effects, Benefits & Risks

Guava has numerous health benefits. It can be fully ripe, crunchy or soft and smooth. Guava is rich in vitamins, minerals and folic acid. Any 100 grams serving of guava fruit contains 68 calories and 8.92 grams of sugar. It is also rich in calcium and contains 18 grams of minerals for every 100 grams.

 Folic acid helps the circulatory system and helps to develop the nervous system. Guava is one of the best fruits to eat during pregnancy as it contains a variety of nutrients. Guava is a great source of potassium, calcium. These help in bone development and regaining the lost energy. Guavas are rich in vitamins like vitamin C, A, B2, E. It is believed that guava has more vitamin C and vitamin A than lemons and oranges. 

The pulp of ripe guavas is pink in color as it contains lycopene. Lycopene helps with fighting any cancer-related growth near the mouth area. So, we can say that consuming the right amount of guava is beneficial for the health of pregnant women if they are not allergic to guava. 

Benefits of guava during pregnancy

Eating guava is beneficial for health during pregnancy. 

Let us take a look into the benefits of guava during pregnancy.

Guava helps improve the immune system. 

Guava has lots of Vitamin C, which plays a vital role in strengthening the immune system. Vitamin C can help detoxify the body. It protects the body from numerous diseases and infections. It is said that guava contains four times the vitamin C content found in oranges. 

It helps develop the nervous system of the baby

Guava is rich in folate and other nutrients which are helpful during pregnancy. Folic acid is an important vitamin for pregnant women and prevents neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Folic acid and vitamin B9 inside guava develop babies’ brain and nervous systems. These also protect babies from neurological disorders.

It helps relax muscles and nerves.

During pregnancy, the stress hormone is released, worsening the condition. Guava is rich in magnesium that helps in relaxing nerves and muscles. That is why it relieves stress and makes women with pregnancy feel light.

It helps control blood pressure levels

Consuming guava during pregnancy controls blood pressure. It maintains the fluidity of blood by preventing clotting. As a result, eating guavas can help avoid the chances of miscarriage or premature birth.

It helps control blood sugar levels

Guava has a high content of fiber and glycaemic index that helps prevent the development of diabetes. Gestational diabetes is one of the common medical conditions faced during pregnancy, especially in the 24th week.

Guava can control blood sugar levels due to its high fiber content and presence of complex carbohydrates, which eventually can help prevent gestational diabetes.

Fiber content regulates blood sugar levels from spiking, while glycemic index also restricts your blood sugar to rise at a fast rate.

Regulates digestion

Eating guavas can ensure the smooth functioning of the digestive system. One guava a day contains 12 percent of fiber intake, making it highly beneficial for digestive health.

It also helps in healthy bowel movements. This reduces the risk of constipation. The presence of potassium in guavas can also help tackle acidity. Guava prevents various digestive issues such as heartburn, nausea etc. 

It helps control cholesterol levels

Being a rich source of fibre, guavas also keep blood cholesterol levels under control. High cholesterol can lead to cardiovascular complications, which can be quite dangerous, especially during pregnancy. So by eating guavas, cholesterol levels can be kept in check.

Lowers the risk of Anaemia

During pregnancy, the requirement for iron increases. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia during pregnancy. In iron-deficiency anaemia, the blood cannot carry enough oxygen to tissues throughout the body.

This can affect the health of the mother and the baby. But the chances of anaemia can be lowered by consuming Vitamin C-rich foods like guavas that help absorb iron. Guava is a rich source of iron which keeps the hemoglobin levels in check.

Fights infections

Guava contains vitamin C, E which have antioxidant properties. They also contain isoflavones, polyphenols and carotenoids. The presence of these vitamins and antioxidants help fight and prevent bacterial infections and lower the risk of illness.

Reduces the risk of cancer

During pregnancy, cancer is very rare. But prevention is better than cure. Guava contains vitamin C, E, carotenoids, isoflavonoids, and polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help to fight against cancer. The consumption of guava can help remove toxins from the body since it has a good quantity of lycopene.

It helps in better eyesight

Guava is rich in vitamin A which improves the eyesight of both the mother and the fetus. Eating guava prevents bad eyesight and prevents cataracts and macular degeneration. 

It helps women during pregnancy

Guava is a great vitamin B3 and B6 source, folic acid, and calcium. These enhance the brain and bones of the fetus. It also helps pregnant women in focusing and concentration. 

Prevents morning sickness

Vitamin C in guava is good for controlling morning sickness. Eating guava without seeds and with buttermilk stabilizes the stomach and prevents vomiting sensation.

Prevents Haemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are one of the issues pregnant women face due to slow hormones. Guavas being rich in fiber play an important role in preventing this condition. The high fiber content of guava prevents constipation.

Side effects of guava during pregnancy

Although guavas taste delicious and offer numerous health benefits, there are a few complications that may arise if excessive amounts of guava are consumed during pregnancy:

• We know that excess of anything is terrible. Too much consumption of guava can cause diarrhea.
• Guavas, like most other fruits, are stored using lots of chemicals. These chemicals can cause bacterial infections that can harm health during pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to wash guavas properly before consumption.
• Pregnant women who have dental problems should avoid unripe or semi-ripe guava. It can cause acute tooth pain if they bite the unripe or semi-ripe guava that is hard in texture.
• Consumption of any medication or supplements of guava found in the market (like guava powder, fruits extracts, etc.) should be avoided. It poses several risks during pregnancy. So, the best way is to consume guava in a natural fruit form during pregnancy.
• Unwashed or unpeeled guavas may contain germs that can cause infections and diseases
• Consuming guava can also be allergic by many pregnant women, which will cause trouble.

Guava juice during pregnancy

It is believed that consuming any raw fruit is more beneficial than drinking the juice out of it. Raw guava has a good amount of water which is helpful for skin and hair. 

However, guava can be blended in the form of juice. The best way for making guava juice is to peel the skin, deseed and blend. Guava juice is a healthy juice, and it tastes great. There is no need to add any flavors to enhance its taste.

Guava fruit during pregnancy

It is recommended that during pregnancy, guava in preserved form should be avoided. While eating raw guava, spotless guava should be chosen. Then it has to be washed properly with water and then sliced according to one’s choices. It is more beneficial to eat the white pulp of guava than red pulp as the white pulp of guava is more nutritious.

Unripe guava during pregnancy

During the pregnancy phase, consuming unripe guava is beneficial if consumed in the right amount. But it is better to consume ripe guava than an unripe one. The reason is ripe guava is rich in vitamin C that offers more benefits and nutritions. 

Pregnant women who have dental problems should avoid unripe guava. It can cause acute tooth pain if they bite the unripe guava that is hard in texture.

Yellow guava during pregnancy

Yellow guava has a smooth yellow skin with light-yellow pulp. Its seeds are edible. The ripe yellow guava is a great source of vitamin C. It is more nutritious than the unripe green ones. So during the pregnancy phase consuming yellow guava is healthy.

Pink guava juice during pregnancy

Pink guavas are rich in vitamins A and C. If the seeds are eaten too, they have omega 3 and omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and especially high levels of dietary fibre. 100 g of pink guava fruit provides nearly twice the amount of lycopene as tomatoes.

To make pink guava juice at first, the pink guavas need to be washed and peeled off, then seeds need to be removed and then blended in the form of juice. 

This juice keeps pregnant women hydrated. The expecting mother going through dental problems should avoid unripe guava fruit as they are hard in texture so they might face acute tooth problems while biting them. So, it is better to consume the fruit in the form of pink juice.

The pulp of ripe pink guava contains lycopene. Lycopene helps to fight any cancer-related growth near the mouth area. So, it is good to consume pink guava juice during pregnancy. Also, the pink guava juice would have more natural sugar than the yellow one, which is beneficial for health and tastier to drink as pink guava juice is sweeter than the yellow ones.

Guava leaves during pregnancy

Guava leaves are very healthy to consume. Guava leaves can be used while making tea. Guava leaves can also be consumed in the form of fluid after boiling in hot water. Guava leaves are super healthy. Here are some of the benefits of guava leaves:

• Rodent studies say that guava leaf extracts aid in reducing stomach acid secretion and delaying the stomach from being empty, which prevents diarrhea.
•  Guava leaf extracts are useful for healing acne.
• Helps in stopping diarrhea
• Helps to reduce cholesterol levels
• Helps to lose weight
• Helps to manage blood sugar levels
• Helps in improving skin texture
• Helps to fight against cancer
• Helps in improving eyesight

Guava during early pregnancy

Guava contains a variety of ingredients. It is safe to consume guava at all stages of pregnancy.

Guava is good during the first trimester of pregnancy. Guava has healthy nutrients, and it helps to keep away several health hazards.

Eating too much might spike the blood sugar level as one guava has nine grams of natural sugar. Consuming guava in between meals is the best idea, but according to a report in TOI, one should not consume this fruit at night as it can cause cold and cough.

So, women prone to cold and cough should avoid consuming guava at night during pregnancy.

Seeing guava in dreams during pregnancy

Dreaming about guava during pregnancy awakens many emotions and has a very solid impact. This dream can be quite destabilizing. If a pregnant woman sees guava in their dreams, it means she is in a phase of spiritual evolution. It represents trust. She knows that she is reliable for her choices and actions. Dreaming about guava during pregnancy reveals that she is all grown up. She is making careful decisions, analyzing the pros and cons, and thinking about her effect on the people around her. This maturity opens a new range of opportunities. 

Dreaming about guava during pregnancy is a clue for the desire to be opened up and understood. It means rebuilding self-esteem and trying to build up the self-image. This dream expresses the willingness to escape the demands of life temporarily. This dream expresses restrictions like trying to cover up the true feelings about some matter.

Dreaming about guava during pregnancy reveals having a deep desire to triumph. It means the desire of pregnant women to be accepted. She has experienced a lot of troubles in her life. She had gone through a lot of difficult times when she did not feel she was up to the task. Dreaming about guava during pregnancy reveals that knowing she is prepared for great things. She wants to show that she has potential. Dreaming about guava during pregnancy reveals how visceral and almost instinctive this desire to succeed is. 

Concluding Remarks

For the proper growth and development of the baby, the mother should make healthier choices in her diet. But not everything healthy is safe for consumption during pregnancy. Guava is enriched with a variety of vitamins and minerals, and it is safe to consume during pregnancy.

But if the mother expecting a baby is allergic to guava, then it is better to avoid consuming it. Moreover, if pregnant women have dental problems, then unripe or semi-ripe guavas should be avoided as they may cause toothache while biting them because of their hard structure. We know that excess of anything brings no good. So, during pregnancy, the consumption of guava should be in the right amount.

So, we can say that pregnant women who are not allergic to guava will be very beneficial and healthy for both the mother and the baby if they consume guava in the right amount during pregnancy.