Feijoa: benefits and harm to the human body

Feijoa is an evergreen plant that is known for its delicious and wholesome fruits. The benefit lies in the content of iodine, which is easily absorbed, and the content of this substance exceeds its amount even in seafood. It follows that feijoa is used in the treatment of diseases associated with iodine deficiency.

Viral and infectious diseases can also be cured with feijoa fruits. The product can have a positive effect on pathologies of the digestive tract.

The peel of the fruit is characterized by the presence of tannins and antioxidants, which have an anti-inflammatory effect in the preparation of tea from these parts of the plant. Also, such tea is rich in volatile, which fight the symptoms of colds.

What is feijoa and where does it grow

Feijoa is the fruit of a tropical shrub that grows in warm places. This plant was first discovered in South America in the 19th century. It is interesting that such a tree grows and bears fruit, depending on the place of growth. So, in the Northern Hemisphere, a tree blooms in late May and early June, and in the Southern Hemisphere - closer to winter. Feijoa is one of the most resistant tropical plants, because it is able to withstand minus temperatures up to -12-15 degrees below zero.

The height of the tree can reach four meters. Fruits are characterized by green berries with a dense peel. The berries are the size of a chicken egg, inside there are pulp and seeds. To harvest it is enough to shake the branches of trees, since the berries and leaves are about the same color, so the fruits are difficult to see.

The culture is cultivated in regions with a tropical and subtropical climate, and is widespread in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.

Feijoa appeared on the territory of Russia in the 19th century. First, they began to grow it in Yalta, then in the Sukhumi reserve. In the conditions of this botanical garden, it was possible to get fruits in a short time. In the southern regions, a plant is grown on a large scale, since more than 35 kg of fruits can be harvested from only one tree.

Composition and calorie content

1. Feijoa berries contain many micro and macro elements that are involved in maintaining immunity and ensuring the normal functioning of all organs and systems. The main important component of the product is iodine, the role of which is to ensure the health of the thyroid gland. It found quite a lot of iron, which is designed to transport oxygen, as well as magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc.
2. Vitamin C in the fruits of the plant provides protection against colds, strengthening immunity. The berries contain representatives of vitamin B group, their main task is to normalize all metabolic processes, regulate the functioning of the hormonal, nervous systems, digestive tract.
3. Vitamin A makes the walls of blood vessels more durable and elastic. In addition, exotic fruits have essential amino acids that are involved in the synthesis of protein in the human body.
4. Essential oils, tannins are also constituents of feijoa.
5. Exotic berry is low in calories. So, in 100 g of fruits contains only 55 kcal. This suggests that the product belongs to the list of dietary. In terms of energy components in fruits, the majority are carbohydrate, namely sucrose.Feijoa is digested and absorbed in a short time.

Useful properties of feijoa

General benefit

1. As you know, the fruits of the plant contain a lot of iodine. To ensure the daily norm in this substance, it is enough to eat a few pieces a day. This will protect the thyroid gland from iodine deficiency. The product is especially useful in childhood and old age.
2. It is important to consume berries of the bush to people living in large cities. Due to ascorbic acid, which is found in feijoa, you can protect your body from seasonal vitamin deficiencies and colds, while thiamine will support the functioning of the heart muscle and improve brain activity.
3. Vitamin B2 in the fruits of the culture restores hormonal balance, takes part in the production of red blood cells, metabolism. Niacin promotes the normal functioning of all organs of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, this substance has a hypotensive effect and protects the body from the occurrence of tumor diseases.
4. Pantothenic acid ensures the normal course of metabolic processes in the body, due to which the symptoms of pancreatitis, allergies, and pathologies of the liver and respiratory organs are alleviated.
5. A chemical, such as pyridoxine, is also found in feijoa fruits. Its purpose is to ensure the functioning of the entire muscle system of a person. This vitamin affects the muscles with the appearance of cramps, cramps. In addition, it is able to slow down the aging process of tissues.
6. The peel of feijoa berries is also famous for its beneficial properties, namely it contains many antioxidants that protect the human body from the harmful effects of the environment and the development of tumor cells.

For women

Iodine deficiency is a disease that causes harm not only to a woman’s health, but also negatively affects her appearance. Symptoms of this common disease are constant fatigue, an increase in extra pounds, the appearance of stones in the gall bladder. Also unpleasant consequences of this pathology are the separation of nails, brittleness and hair loss, blurred vision, dry skin. To prevent the onset of such symptoms, it is important to take a daily dose of iodine. This can be done using 3-4 berries of the feijoa plant. At the same time, it is enough to use them once a week fresh or after heat treatment.

In addition, many microelements are found in berries, so regular use of this product will restore the balance of all useful substances in the woman’s body. This will help protect the beautiful half of humanity from the occurrence of problems associated with reproductive function, for example, from infertility or cycle disruption.

In feijoa berries are phytoflavonoids, which support the beauty and health of women. Also, these substances can reduce pain in the premenstrual period and minimize the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms with menopause.

For men

Doctors advise men to use feijoa fruits to prevent urological diseases. Regular use of several berries per day will protect the male body from inflammation of the prostate, which will protect against impotence in the future. This is ensured by the feijoa ability to normalize hormonal levels.

Today, men often find themselves in stressful situations, which leads to the development of problems with the cardiovascular system, disruption of the digestive tract, and hypertension. The constant inclusion of feijoa fruits in a man’s diet will reduce the likelihood of pancreatitis, ulcers, ischemia and hypertension.

In men, as in women, iodine deficiency in the body is also often found, which develops chronic fatigue. Such a syndrome leads to a decrease in concentration and attention. And this can be very dangerous, for example, for drivers. To avoid unpleasant consequences, it is recommended to use one berry of an exotic plant per day.

During pregnancy

During the period of bearing a child, it is especially important for a woman to monitor nutrition.Indeed, at this time the fetus is formed, the laying of all its organs and systems is carried out. Therefore, nutrition should be varied and enriched with beneficial components. Scientists have proven that feijoa, although it is of exotic origin, is practically not dangerous for women who are in an interesting position. The product is valuable for having a large list of vitamins and mineral elements.

Berries have a lot of iodine and iron. These components are easily absorbed in the digestive tract and contribute to the proper formation of the future baby. In feijoa, folic acid was found, which takes part in the formation of the fetal nervous system, as well as in the creation of blood cells.

Often pregnant women face such an unpleasant problem as constipation. Feijoa fruits are rich in fiber, which will cleanse the intestines and relieve such a problem.

If iodine-containing drugs are additionally prescribed by a doctor, feijoa should be excluded from the diet. In this case, there will be an excess of this mineral in the body, which is very dangerous for health.

When breastfeeding

Feijoa does not cause allergies in an adult. However, during lactation, a nursing woman should introduce this berry into her diet gradually, paying attention to the reaction of the child.

Pectin normalizes intestinal motility. This is very important in the postpartum period, when bowel movement is difficult due to microtraumas and hemorrhoids.

Ascorbic acid, contained in feijoa, protects the immunity of mother and child and prevents the development of inflammatory processes.

During breastfeeding, a woman is recommended to start using feijoa not earlier, until the baby is 3 months old. In an earlier period, the child may have an allergic reaction. Moreover, a new product should be introduced from the fourth part of the fetus. After applying the berry, it is important to monitor the reaction of the baby. If a rash or loose stool occurs, the use of feijoa will have to be postponed a little. If no negative consequences were observed, the next time a nursing woman can already eat half the berry.

For kids

Doctors advise introducing feijoa berries into the children's menu very carefully, otherwise the child may develop intolerance even after eating one fruit. If after the first feeding no negative symptoms appeared, then the fruits of an exotic culture will greatly benefit the children's body. A high content of iodine will lead to the fact that the child will not get tired, and the thyroid gland will remain healthy.

Feijoa is also popular in that it is able to strengthen the immune system. So, if you regularly include the product in the child’s menu, the body’s resistance to the effects of various viruses and bacteria will increase. Also, the fruits of the plant are able to protect against fungus. Pediatricians advise eating berries in the offseason.

Feijoa berries should be given with great care to children who are overweight or have diabetes. Fruits are allowed to be consumed, but their number should be limited. In this case, it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the child.

When losing weight

Feijoa fruits contain a lot of sugar, but have a low calorie content, so they can be used when dieting. In this case, the berries will protect the body from exhaustion and support its immunity.

Weight loss with feijoa occurs due to improved metabolic processes. So, if you eat one berry before a meal, the food will be absorbed faster, and a feeling of fullness will come much earlier, which will protect against overeating. Feijoa fruits can be used as a snack in the evening.

The product helps to get rid of excess weight due to its dietary properties: 100 grams of berries contain only 55 calories and more than 15% of fiber, necessary during the day.

Vegetable fiber of the fruit prevents the synthesis of insulin after eating in large quantities. As you know, a high insulin content leads to the appearance of fatty deposits.Feijoa is able to normalize the intestinal microflora, which is also important in maintaining normal body weight.

The fruits of the plant contain little fructose - about 3 g per 100 g of product. A thinner person should consume no more than 15 grams of fructose per day, which means that he can eat almost a pound of berries.

Feijoa jam: benefits and harms

Few people know that from an overseas plant it turns out to be tasty, rich in vitamins and minerals, jam. Medical studies have proven that the shrub itself and such a treat from it has various useful components. The main benefit is the provision of the body with iodine. However, it is important to consult with an endocrinologist before use, since only a doctor can decide whether such a dessert is useful in a particular case.

Feijoa fruits contain many vitamins and mineral elements. During heat treatment in the process of making jam, some of the useful substances are lost, but still the product is able to protect the body from various diseases, as well as alleviate the symptoms of existing pathologies.

The essential oils in the jam will protect the weakened body during seasonal colds. To prevent prostatitis, men are advised to consume several tablespoons of feijoa jam daily. In addition, such a dish is able to restore the hormonal background of both the male and female body.

Women who want to lose weight can add jam from such a dietary product to their diet. However, there should be little sugar in it. The effect of losing weight in this case is achieved by improving metabolic processes. For example, a portion of jam eaten in the evening can completely replace dinner, because such a product perfectly saturates.

Jam obtained from green berries will help get rid of painful menstruation. At the same time, feijoa improves metabolism, which leads to a more rapid opening of the cervix.

When carrying a fetus, a woman often faces problems with bowel movements. Feijoa jam can improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which normalizes stool. For this, it is enough to consume 100 g of such an exotic jam.

Jam recipe

Feijoa jam is prepared according to a simple recipe. To do this, prepare sugar and ripe berries in equal amounts and grind the ingredients until a homogeneous consistency is obtained. You can add a little more sugar, so the jam will be stored longer, however, the original taste of the fruits of the feijoa tree will be slightly lost.

First you should rinse the fruits, clean them from the stalks and tails and grind with a blender. Next, the crushed berries should be placed in a container with an enameled surface and sprinkled with sugar. The mass must be mixed so that the sugar is completely dissolved. Dessert should be put in pre-prepared glass jars. Wash containers and lids with a solution of soda, rinse and rinse with boiling water.

Ready jam is stored for about three months. To keep the workpiece longer, you can boil it for 15 minutes every 3-5 days, constantly removing foam. Some housewives add zest to this delicacy in the form of lemon or cranberry juice, orange pulp.

You can use another recipe in which honey is added instead of sugar. Such an ingredient should not be heat treated. Therefore, in this case, a “live” dessert is obtained.

What are the benefits of feijoa leaves

The leaves of the feijoa tree have a disinfecting and antiseptic property and are used as a wound healing agent for cuts, abrasions, and scratches. A decoction made from the leaves of the plant helps with toothaches and bleeding gums. With periodontal disease, it is recommended to prepare an infusion that can rinse your mouth.

Little is known about the use of feijoa leaves. However, you can find in some sources a recipe for making tea used for jaundice.This requires equal proportions to mix the leaves and inflorescences of the shrub and pour one tablespoon of plant material with boiled water. Then insist half an hour, then strain and take half a glass before meals twice a day.

In folk medicine, tea is also used, which should be taken with hypothyroidism. If you add a small amount of honey to tea from leaves, you can use such a tool to alleviate the symptoms of pyelonephritis.

Feijoa in medicine

Feijoa berries are characterized by many healing properties. They are able to restore the functioning of the nervous system and relieve insomnia. The vitamin substances and mineral elements present in the berries provide the production of white blood cells, which are responsible for the human immune system.

With atherosclerosis, the product helps lower cholesterol. Plant fiber improves intestinal motility, which leads to cleansing. Bark and leaves have a disinfecting effect.

The main area of ​​feijoa use in the medical field is still considered endocrinology. The product is consumed in the treatment of diseases of the thyroid gland and pancreas. To cure the thyroid gland, you need to eat raw fruit jam. In this case, you should use a tablespoon of jam before meals 2-3 times a day. This treatment should be followed for four weeks. It must be remembered that only mature fruits have healing properties.

Also, the plant has found application in cardiology. Feijoa fruits can cure hypertension, cleanse blood vessels. To strengthen the vascular walls, you can add oranges to the feijoa jam. So, a kilogram of berries will require two kilograms of sugar and squeezed juice of several oranges. Ready jam is consumed one spoon each morning and evening.

The use of feijoa in cosmetology

Feijoa has an anti-inflammatory effect, due to which it is recommended for problems with acne. It is easy to give a healthy look to aging skin with masks. Due to the properties of berries, it can be moisturized, nourished and rejuvenated. The simplest recipe is applying to the face skin of a crushed feijoa fruit, crushed in a blender, for 10-15 minutes.

Before using any mask from this exotic fruit, it is important to make an allergy test. To do this, it is necessary to apply a small amount of the mask to the elbow area from the inside and hold for 25 minutes. If no negative reaction occurs, you can safely apply such a mask.

Due to the presence of essential oils and antioxidant substances feijoa is used to restore the health of hair and skin. Beauticians offer a simple mask for the skin of the face, which can be done once a week. To do this, you need to prepare a chamomile decoction, cool and add one tablespoon of cereal and twice as much feijoa pulp. The mass should be infused until the oatmeal swells. Then you need to include in the mixture a teaspoon of almond oil or grape seed and apply to a previously cleansed face. Keep this mixture for about 20 minutes. Then it must be washed off with warm water.

You can use another option. At the same time, the pulp of several berries will need to be crushed until pureed and two tablespoons of cottage cheese, egg yolk and a tablespoon of olive oil should be added to the mass. The mask must be kept for 20 minutes, after which it must be washed off with cool water.

For a normal skin type, a mask is suitable that removes signs of fatigue, smoothes fine wrinkles and provides an even tone. It is recommended to use this method in the cold season, when vitamins are especially needed for the skin. So, it is necessary to mix until a homogeneous gruel for a tablespoon of fruits and grape seed oil, add one egg.The mask should be applied to the face and décolleté for 15–20 minutes. After that, wash it off with warm water. You can use this method every other day for three weeks.

To give oily skin a matte tone will help another mask, which is recommended for use in the summer. Increased sweating often leads to various rashes. The ingredients of such a mask will help cleanse the pores and brighten the skin of the face. To prepare the mask, you need only one feijoa berry without a peel and one small tomato. The tomato should be blanched and peeled off. Next, both components must be crushed in a blender and applied to a cleaned face. After drying, it is enough to wash with cold water.

Harm and contraindications

Like any fruit, feijoa also has its contraindications to use.

1. Firstly, we are talking about people with individual intolerance to the fruits of an exotic tree. To include in the diet foods that a person has never tried before, you must be very careful.
2. Secondly, it is important to observe the daily rate, which is set by the doctor. Nutritionists recommend eating no more than 5 berries, which is approximately equal to 300 g of feijoa. Otherwise, an allergic reaction may develop or an overdose of iodine is formed. Symptoms of excess of this substance in the body are expressed by increased nervous excitability, anxiety, irritability, as well as arrhythmia and changes in body temperature.
3. You should not use the product for people who have hyperthyroidism. For various endocrine diseases, it is important to consult a specialist. With diabetes, pancreatitis and gastritis with high acidity, you also need to be very careful when consuming feijoa berries.
4. It is not recommended to combine exotic fruits with whole milk. This will lead to an upset stomach. You can combine this fruit with dairy products, such as yogurt, sour cream or cottage cheese.

Berries consumed must be fresh. They are stored in the refrigerator for no longer than a week. Therefore, it must be remembered that stale fruits can cause food poisoning. This is due to the fact that with improper or excessive storage in the berries, pathogens begin to multiply.

Before using this product for food, it is important to study all the beneficial substances of the berry and take into account possible harm to the body. To get a therapeutic effect from the use of feijoa, you should eat it systematically. A single dose will not have the desired effect.

How to choose and store feijoa

To choose a quality product, you should pay attention, first of all, to the type of product.

1. The peel of the berries should be intact, without dents.
2. Ripe fruits have a smooth, dense and elastic surface.
3. When cut, the flesh of the berry is fleshy and transparent.
4. When choosing feijoa fruits, you should ask the seller to cut the product. If the pulp is white, it is believed that the fruit is not ripe. But do not despair, you can put them in a warm room and in a couple of days enjoy the taste and benefits of ripe fruits. As you know, some exotic fruits are transported unripe, they ripen a little later.

The product is perishable. If a flesh of a dark color is found, you should not buy such a feijoa.

To preserve the useful elements of feijoa berries for a long time, you can ensure their storage in two ways. You can store the fruits in a fresh state. However, in this case, the fruit will be usable for ten days after harvest. Given the time of transportation, packaging and preparation for sale, it is better to eat ripe fruits immediately or store them in a refrigerator for a couple of days. You can also make tasty and healthy preserves. And here you can use the heat treatment of berries, but you can do without it.

Is it possible to freeze

When freezing feijoa, it is possible to preserve more useful properties than during heat treatment. With this method of storage, the fruits remain intact, and the useful components are not mixed with sugar, as in the manufacture of preserves.

Feijoa fruits can be frozen whole or crushed to a puree state. In both cases, it will be necessary to sort out and remove the spoiled berries, rinse under running water using soap. After that, you need to trim the legs and lay the feijoa on paper towels for drying. Dried berries should be laid out in one layer on a tray and placed in the freezer. It is important to turn and swap them regularly so that all instances are evenly frozen. After a day (usually this time is enough to freeze feijoa), the fruits can be collected in a tray, tightly closed with a lid and stored in the freezer for no more than a year.

Freezing berries in the form of mashed potatoes is suitable when there is not much free space in the freezer. After trimming the stalks, the fruits are crushed using a blender or meat grinder and laid out in trays with hermetically sealed lids. With this method of freezing, the product can be stored for about six months. Thawed fruits should not be re-frozen.

How to eat feijoa

To get the most out of feijoa fruits, only ripe foods should be consumed. If the berries do not have time to ripen, they must be stored for a couple of days in a warm room, because they are brought unripe.

Ripe berries have a jelly-like filling, and the peel becomes thinner as it ripens. The way you use this product is similar to kiwi. You can peel and cut the fruit into small pieces or cut off the top of the berry and eat the pulp with a dessert spoon. It is worth noting that a fully ripe fruit can be eaten whole, since it is the peel that brings the maximum benefit to the body.

Exot can be consumed in its original form or after heat treatment. The pulp has a pleasant taste, as for the peel, it is not quite pleasant to the taste. But since the peel is also useful, it is recommended to cook jam or preserves and use fruits with peels.

Feijoa compote recipe

To obtain a healthy compote, 300 g of ripened fruits will be required. They must be completely placed in 2.5 liters of boiling water, previously seasoned with 150 g of sugar. Cook the vitamin-enriched drink in a sealed container for 30 minutes from the moment of boiling. After this time, the compote must be removed from the stove and allowed to cool, stand on the table.

You can use another method. There is a compote recipe using feijoa and apples, and cooking is carried out in a slow cooker. To do this, rinse under running water and dry on a towel 300 g of both ingredients. Feijoa should be cut in half, and apples - divided into 8 parts. If in the future it is supposed to consume fruits from compote, you can clear the fruits of the seeds. If you plan to strain the compote and consume only the liquid part, you should not waste time cleaning apples from seeds.

Sliced ​​fruits should be placed in the bowl of the multicooker and pour water. The water level should be approximately 5 cm. If the bowl is five-liter, it will be enough to add a glass of sugar. Next, you need to close the lid of the device and cook the compote in the "Soup" or "Stew" mode for an hour. After cooking, the lid of the multicooker should not be opened, the compote should be infused for several hours. In this case, it is necessary to turn off the automatic temperature maintenance mode.

Interesting facts about Feijoa

1. A tree such as feijoa is popular with gardeners. Extraordinarily beautiful flowers and leaves will be an excellent decoration of decorative plantings.
2. Feijoa has an unusual taste, which resembles pineapple, kiwi and strawberries at the same time.

Feijoa Photos