The Best Indian Fruit for Gut Health: Confirmed by Experts

Many of us go for mangoes, bananas or oranges when we think about eating a fruit. These fruits are very good in their own way. However, there is one fruit that remains as a champion when it comes to the health of our gut. This single fruit in itself can ensure the long-term healthy functioning of your gut. This hero is none other than guava.

Whether you eat it raw, with a sprinkle of salt and chilli powder or slightly ripe, the benefits that guava gives you are numerous. Let’s learn more about this wonder fruit.

This affordable tropical staple which can be bought at just five rupees, is very rich in fibre content. In fact, the fruit contains both kinds of dietary fibres, namely soluble and insoluble. Therefore, if we add it into our diet plan, beneficial gut bacteria will be generated, bowel regularity will be ensured and intestines will get cleaned.

Indeed, Santhosh Anand, a surgeon and physician working at the Apollo hospital Chennai, confirmed that one guava gives us about 12% of the daily fibre requirement in our body. The presence of this high amount of fibre content also keeps our hunger pangs at bay by slowing down digestion, helping us in weight reduction.

Additionally, guava contains magnesium, vitamin A, potassium and folate. These elements make our gut happy by reducing acidity and by maintaining metabolic balance.


Most people believe that orange contains the highest amount of Vitamin C. But notable physicians and gastroenterologists such as Anshul Sadhale and Palaniappan Manickam, opine that the opposite is true. They point out that guava has much more vitamin C nutrient than most of the other fruits, including oranges.

This means that this humble fruit boosts our immunity, supports gut-immunity, especially during viral illnesses, and even heals the gut lining that appears as a result of infections.


The pulp of raw guava carries within it compounds that help us stifle the growth of bad bacteria in the intestines. This is the reason why some of our grandparents tell us to eat guavas when we have loose motion or mild diarrhoea. Modern science has proved the truth in their traditional wisdom.

Moreover, guava also has a Low Glycemic Index, between 12 to 24. This means that the fruit helps us in releasing our energy gradually which in turn increases our insulin sensitivity. This is the reason why some dieticians recommend guava to diabetic patients.

The numerous health benefits of the simple guava leaves are a secret that many people don’t know. Leaf extracts of this fruit decrease the duration and intensity of diarrhoea. Research has shown that they help our system regulate blood sugar and improve long-term glucose control. Our intestines also get benefitted due to the anti-bacterial properties of these leaves.

We can scatter guava leaves and boil some water to drink or just prepare a guava leaf tea, to savour the maximum benefits of this hidden gem.


Doctors suggest that slightly ripe or raw guavas are good for solving acidity problems. Remember to eat them with their entire skin to obtain all the benefits of their fibre content. Of course, don’t forget to wash well before having.

Some people with sensitive intestines should try to avoid eating too many seeds.

Suffering from diarrhoea? Drink enough boiled guava leaf water or tea. You can add a little bit of chilli powder and salt to increase the taste of this great fruit. Also, you can take care of your children’s nutrition and fibre requirements by giving them guavas as a school snack.

In short, whether it is improved immunity, fewer gut problems or achieving better digestion, guava is a go-to-fruit for Indians. The truth is, guava combines the health benefits of expensive fruits like oranges and kiwi. But it costs only a fraction of their cost. Make use of this nutritional powerhouse and uplift your health in every way.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When to avoid guava?
   Guava contains a lot of fibre. Thus, it can slow down digestion and increase acid production. Thus, for people with sensitive stomachs, it would be best to avoid eating it on an empty stomach.
2. Who should avoid guava?
   It would be best if people with digestive problems like IBS or fructose malabsorption, those facing kidney issues due to high potassium and those undergoing surgery, avoid eating guava.
3. Is guava good for your liver?
   Due to the presence of compounds with anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants, guava and its leaves, may be good for liver health. Studies show that guava leaf extracts can help prevent fatty liver by improving insulin resistance and also by reducing fat accumulation.