May 1st, 2024


Did you know that guava fruit is botanically a berry!?


Guava is believed to have originated from southern Mexico and through Central America, and now grows all over the world favoring tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide.

These delicious berry fruits are bursting with amazing nutritional benefits, with twice the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C, they contain more vitamin C than oranges, as well as being rich in beta-carotene (vitamin A), Iron, Calcium, and Potassium.


Of particular benefit is beta-carotene which is an antioxidant that has the ability to enhance eye and skin health, which is found to be rich in Guavas. Beta-carotene comes from a family of naturally occurring pigments called carotenoids, which are responsible for giving the yellow, orange, and red coloring to the guavas. Beta-carotene converts into provitamin Vitamin A in the body, which is an important nutrient for cell growth and maintaining healthy organs including your eyes.


Research indicates that eating a diet that is rich in carotenoids like beta-carotene helps to support eye health and prevent eye diseases. So much so that studies have proven that people with high levels of carotenoids in their blood have a 35% reduced risk of macular degeneration. Amazing news so that you can clearly see all the beauty around you in this paradise we call home in Bahia de Banderas.


Due to this juicy fruit being high in beta-carotene as well as vitamin C, they also possess high levels of antioxidants, the more antioxidants we have in the body, the better the protection of the retina of the eyes against free radial damage from sources such as the sun, preventing vision loss and cataracts! If you wish to best protect your eyes from such damage it is best to consume guavas three times a day in the season.

How to pick the best guavas- the skin color of the fruit is dark green when unrippened, and changes to a yellowish-green, pale yellow, or yellow with a red blush when ripe, depending on the variety you get. Ripened, the fruit will have a soft and juicing pulp, either white, pink, or a salmon type red color, the flavor is sweet and tropical.


To find out about the beauty and antiaging benefits of beta-carotene (vitamin A), and which foods posses the highest amounts (besides guava), get on the pre-order list of my book The Food Fountain of Youth, which includes more tasty recipes high in beta-carotene.


Article and recipe by Lonneke Botello Hernandez

 

Lonneke Botello Hernandez is a Clinical Nutritionist, specializing in Beauty and Antiaging Nutrition, with over thirteen years of clinical experience, she has helped countless people to enhance and improve their long-term health and wellbeing, as well as aid in slowing the signs of aging through individualized dietary advice.  Lonneke´s book The Food Fountain of Youth is set to release in August 2024, pre-sales will be available soon. LIKE Facebook El enlace externo abre una nueva pestaña o ventana.Lonneke BH - Author,  or FOLLOW Instagram El enlace externo abre una nueva pestaña o ventana.lonneke_bh to find out more, and for beauty nutrition tips.


Try this tropical burst guava smoothie to really taste like you are on vacation!

 

VISION IMPROVING SUPER SMOOTHIE


Serves 2

1 cup of Guava  (4-5 seeds removed)

½  cup of fresh pineapple

½  cup fresh mango

1 cup of strawberries

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk

¼ teaspoon of cinnamon

 


Start by removing the ends of the guava, slicing them in half and removing the seeds.  Place the flesh in a blender. Add the freshly chopped pineapple and mango pieces, then fresh or frozen strawberries to the blender. Add the coconut milk with cinnamon and blend well, until nice and smooth.

Share with a loved one and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Enjoy the eye health improving benefits!