How to Control Diabetes with Diet-Guava
There are on-going debates and much confusion about diabetics and fruits. It is a popular debate amongst diabetics and their loved ones. Today I will add some information to this debate and give my take on the subject. I have done extensive research on said matter, but, most importantly, I have done some experiments on myself. Yes, I continue to do extensive research relating to the control of diabetes with diet and today we will look at the guava fruit, with some mention of the leaves.
I have an issue with taking medication in general, especially medication for diabetes. This eventually led me to a thorough research about how to control diabetes without medication. It was not as simple as it looks on the outside.
Controlling Diabetes Naturally
One thing led to another, and so I was pointed in the direction of how to control diabetes naturally. This revealed taking other medication which was not prescribed and supposedly made from natural foods and it also included using foods to heal the body. I did some experiments here as well, but became uncomfortable with taking the natural/herbal medication for a few reasons:
- I was having side effects from at least one medication.
- I was still taking tablets and capsules.
- Why take tablets made from foods, why not eat the foods?
Controlling Diabetes with Food
You figured it out. Another research was eminent. I was now led to do an extensive research about how to control diabetes with diet (food). The results were promising and so I decided to share this journey with you, my readers. This was in keeping with my personality of being a kind and caring person. The need to share my journey and possible help another human being still excites me!
The Guava Connection
Now, you may ask, “how did you arrive at guava for diabetics?” I have a very practical answer. My neighbor has a guava tree and most of it is hanging in my yard. This means that I legally have access to guava and so I felt I needed to know if I could benefit from more than just raking the trash and smelling the sweetness of the fruit from my bedroom window.
A Note About Raking the Yard
Remember that even raking the yard is a form of activity and can and should be counted as a part of your intention to be more physically active. Please read this article about the benefits of exercise. Here is another article which will suggest some basic activities you can do as a diabetic and in most cases it is using one stone to kill two birds.
The Case for Guava
This fruit which is found mainly in Asia, but is now seen in other places, including the Caribbean has a light green to yellow skin and an oval/pear shape. The flesh of the fruit is reddish in color and a lot of edible seeds are present and difficult to separate from the flesh of the fruit. Guava is pleasing to our sense of smell due to its’ sweet aroma.
Note that the fruit, the bark and the leaves of the guava tree are touted as having many health benefits. We will spend some time to examine these health benefits.
The Health Benefits of the Guava Fruit
- Diabetes Control. Eating guava results in a slow, gradual spike in blood glucose, compared with a sudden, high spike that is experienced when we eat some foods. This makes it easier for us to control our blood glucose level. Please note that the danger is in having sudden, high spikes in our blood glucose, an indication that there is too much glucose in the bloodstream.
- Fiber also helps to regulate our sugar levels and it is comforting to note that this fruit, the guava is loaded with fibers. It has a low glycemic index which makes this a possibility.
- I can eat as many as two (2) guavas in one sitting and my blood glucose rises no more than 0.5 points. For me, this is good to know. Please note that I do eat the skin/rind.
- I also use the leaf of the guava to make a tea. This is an excellent way for me to enjoy a lovely, fragranced tea and at the same time control my blood glucose. I love the idea of using something as simple and many times harmless as a cup of tea to control my diabetes. Please let me caution you at this point. I mostly use 3 tender/young leaves in my tea, dependent on my blood glucose reading. I sometimes use 2 tender leaves. I cut a piece of a branch and when it starts to regrow, I get the tender leaves for storage. I dry my leaves inside in the shade, grind to a powder and store it to make my tea. I use a food processor to grind the leaves to a powder. Please click on this link if you would like to purchase a food processor. Please see below for the instructions to make a cup of guava leaf tea.
- Boil one cup of water.
- Add 1 tablespoon of powdered guava leaves.
- Cover and steep for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Strain in a cup.
- Enjoy. (Note I do not use sugar in my tea as I am reducing as much as possible my sugar intake. I would caution you to do the same, but if you are still using sugar or honey, feel free to slightly sweeten the tea. Yes, moderation is the key). A research done using Japanese concluded that they can effectively use guava leaf tea on a daily basis to prevent and treat diabetes. Click the picture below to order some guava leaf tea.
- Cancer risk can be lowered. Guava contains vitamin C, quercetin, lycopene and a number of polyphenols. Note that all of these compounds are known to prevent cancer. They neutralize the free-radical damage in our bodies, which are blamed for cancer. Reports submitted to Medical Daily confirmed that guava contains a number of compounds which are known to prevent and fight cancer. The cancers mentioned are colon, skin, breast, stomach, mouth, lung, prostate and gastric. With so many families afflicted because of the presence of cancer in at least one family member or loved one, I am sure the diabetic considers it good news that we can eat guava and use the leaf to make tea and not just lower our blood glucose, but that we can also lower the risk of getting cancer.
- Lowers Cholesterol. Nutrition and Metabolism reported that if we eat guava and drink the tea on a regular basis it will be effective in lowering our LDL (bad cholesterol). Let me pause here to issue a reminder that a number of people who suffer from diabetes are also taking medication for high cholesterol. This is where I get super excited about fruits and vegetables, or simply whole foods in general. They are the worlds’ “prescription” for a number of illnesses and it is ever so common that we see one of them effectively healing and preventing a number of illnesses/diseases. Well, have you seen this with prescribed medication?
- Healthier heart, thanks to guava. The high levels of potassium, vitamin C, and the fiber helps to decrease blood pressure when the guava fruit is eaten on a regular basis. Note that the potassium keeps the heartbeat steady, the blood vessels are kept healthy due to the vitamin C and the lycopene reduces the risk of a cardiovascular disease. Need I say, that eventually, a number of people with diabetes must also battle heart diseases. I know we do not have this fruit all year and this is so for most, if not all fruits. But, a careful examination will reveal that we always have some fresh fruits and vegetables available to heal and cure our bodies. We now need to turn our attention and focus on preventing diabetes and other illnesses/diseases by regularly consuming the whole foods and leave the processed foods on the supermarket shelves. This decision is paramount if we want to be well.
- Guava is anti-Inflammatory and it, therefore, improves our immunity. We are guarded against a number of diseases and infections, thanks to the Vitamin C content of the guava fruit. All it take is just 1 guava for the day to keep flu, coughs, and colds at bay. I am sure that the people with arthritis are anxious to give this a try.
- Borreli had this to say about guava and obesity. “While guava is high in fiber and has a low glycemic index, making it a useful supplement for weight loss, guava leaves, and their extract can also help. They do this by inhibiting complex starches from converting into sugars. Typically, the sugar is metabolized by the liver where it gets turned into fat and then secreted into the blood. This is what contributes to weight gain.” Oh, what a treat for persons wanting to control their blood glucose? Note that a number of diabetics are also overweight or obese.
Conclusion
The truth is I could continue writing about this wonderful fruit that God has given us to prevent and treat diseases/illnesses. I must, however, stop at some point. This is what I have concluded. The guava fruit and the leaves are clearly beneficial to those of us who are diabetic and those who are not. This positions it to be a wonderful fruit for the entire family to consume.
Not only will it prevent sudden and high spikes in our blood glucose, but it will fight cancer, lower cholesterol, lower high blood pressure and protect our heart to name a few of the amazing health benefits from this fruit and the leaves from the tree.
I reiterate, we have all we need in our foods to eliminate or at least control diabetes. Until next time, continue to be kind to each other and please make the correct food choices. Diabetes does not and should not be a death sentence. Be smart with your choices.
God blessing on each and every one of my readers and their extended family.
Continue reading here: Products for Diabetics - Food Control and Diet
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