Feijoa: useful properties and contraindications

Feijoa is an evergreen plant that is known for its delicious and useful fruits. The benefit lies in the content of iodine, which is easily assimilated, and the content of this substance exceeds its quantity 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 treated with the help of feijoa fruit. The product is able to have a positive effect with 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 when preparing tea from these parts of the plant. Also such a tea is rich in phytoncides, which fight the symptoms of colds.

What is feijoa and where it grows

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

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

The crop is cultivated in regions with tropical and subtropical climates and is widely distributed in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.

In Russia, feijoa appeared in the 19th century. At first it began to be grown in Yalta, then in the Sukhumi Nature Reserve. In the conditions of this botanical garden it was possible to obtain fruits in a short time. In the southern regions grow the plant on a large scale, since only from one tree can collect more than 35 kg of fruit.

Composition and calories

1. Feijoa berries contain many micro- and macronutrients, which are involved in maintaining immunity and ensuring the normal functioning of all organs and systems. The main important component of the product is iodine, whose role is to ensure the health of the thyroid. It is 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 fruit of the plant provides protection against colds, strengthening the immune system. The berries contain representatives of the vitamin group B, their main task is to normalize all metabolic processes, the regulation of the hormonal, nervous system, digestive tract.
3. Vitamin A makes the walls of blood vessels more solid and elastic. In addition, exotic fruits contain 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. The exotic berry is characterized by its low caloric content. So, in 100 g of fruit contains only 55 kcal. This suggests that the product belongs to the list of dietary. In terms of energy components in the fruit, most of the carbohydrate part, namely sucrose. Feijoa is digested and absorbed in a short time.

Useful properties of feijoa

General benefits

1. As is known, the fruit of the plant contains a lot of iodine. To provide the daily norm in this substance, it is enough to eat a few pieces a day. This will protect the thyroid from iodine deficiency. The product is especially useful in children and the elderly.
2. It is important to consume shrub berries for people living in large cities. Due to ascorbic acid, which is present in feijoa, you can protect the body from seasonal avitaminosis and colds, thiamine also support the functioning of the heart muscle and improve brain function.
3. Vitamin B2 in the fruit restores hormonal balance, takes part in the production of red blood cells and metabolism. Nicotinic acid 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, liver and respiratory organs are relieved.
5. A chemical such as pyridoxine is also found in the composition of feijoa fruits. Its purpose is to ensure the work of the entire human muscular system. This vitamin affects the muscles when cramps, spasms occur. In addition, it can slow down the aging process of tissues.
6. The skin 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 harms not only a woman's health, but also has a negative impact on her appearance. Symptoms of this widespread disease are constant fatigue, an increase in extra pounds, the appearance of gallstones in the gallbladder. Also unpleasant consequences of this pathology are splitting nails, brittle and loss of hair, visual impairment, dry skin. To prevent the occurrence of such symptoms, it is important to take a daily dose of iodine. You can do this with the help of 3-4 berries of the feijoa plant. It is enough to use them once a week in fresh form or after heat treatment.

In addition, there are many microelements in the berries, so regular use of this product will restore the balance of all the useful substances in the body of a woman. This will help to protect the beautiful half of humanity from reproductive problems, for example, from infertility or disorders of the cycle.

Feijoa berries contain phytoflavonoids, which support the beauty and health of women. Also, these substances can reduce pain during the premenstrual period and minimize the appearance of unpleasant symptoms during menopause.

For men

Doctors advise consuming feijoa fruits for men to prevent urological diseases. Regular use of several berries a day will protect the male body from prostate inflammation, which will prevent the occurrence of impotence in the future. This is provided due to the ability of feijoa to normalize the hormonal background.

Today, men often find themselves in stressful situations, which leads to the development of cardiovascular problems, gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension. Constant inclusion of feijoa fruits in the diet of a man will reduce the likelihood of pancreatitis, ulcers, ischemia and hypertension.

Men, like women, also often have iodine deficiency in the body, which develops chronic fatigue. This 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 consume one berry of the exotic plant a day.

When pregnant

During the period of carrying a child, it is especially important for a woman to monitor her diet. After all, at this time of the formation of the fetus, the laying of all of its organs and systems. Therefore, the diet should be varied and enriched with useful components. Scientists have proved that feijoa, although it is of exotic origin, is practically harmless for women who are pregnant. The product is valuable because of the presence of a large list of vitamins and mineral elements.

The berries have a lot of iodine and iron. These components are easily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and contribute to the proper formation of the future baby. In feijoa is found folic acid, which is involved in the formation of the nervous system of the fetus, 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 clean the intestines and get rid of such a problem.

If the doctor additionally prescribed iodine-containing medications, feijoa should be excluded from the diet. In such a case, there will be an overabundance of this mineral in the body, which is very dangerous to health.

When breastfeeding

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

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

Ascorbic acid contained in feijoa will protect the immune system of the mother and baby and prevent the development of inflammatory processes.

During the breastfeeding period it is recommended to start eating feijoa until the baby is 3 months old. In an earlier period the baby may have an allergic reaction. And the new product should be introduced with the fourth part of the fruit. After using the berry, it is important to monitor the reaction of the infant. If there is a rash or liquid stools, the use of feijoa will have to slightly postpone. If no adverse effects were observed, the next time a nursing woman can already eat half of the berry.

For children

Doctors advise to introduce feijoa berries to the menu of children very carefully, otherwise the child may develop intolerance even after the use of one fruit. If no negative symptoms appeared after the first complementary food, then the fruit of the exotic crop will be of great benefit to the child's body. The high iodine content will lead to the fact that the child will not be tired, and the thyroid will remain healthy.

Popular feijoa also because it can strengthen the immune system. So, if you regularly include the product in the child's menu, the body's resistance to various viruses and bacteria will increase. Also the fruit of the plant can protect against fungus. Pediatricians advise to use berries in the off-season.

With great caution you should give feijoa berries to children who are overweight or have diabetes. Fruits are allowed to eat, but their quantity should be limited. At the same time it is necessary to constantly monitor the child's condition.

When losing weight.

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

Weight loss by using feijoa is due to improved metabolic processes. So, if you eat one berry before the meal, the food will be digested faster and the feeling of fullness will come much earlier, which will protect you from 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, needed during the day.

The fruit's plant fibers prevent the synthesis of insulin after eating large quantities. It is known that high levels of insulin lead to fatty deposits. Feijoa can normalize intestinal microflora, which is also important in maintaining normal body weight.

The fruit is low in fructose, about 3 grams per 100 grams. A thin person should not consume more than 15 g of fructose per day, which means that he can eat almost half a kilo of berries.

Feijoa jam: benefits and harms

Few people know that from the overseas plant you get delicious, rich in vitamins and minerals jam. Medical studies have proved that the shrub itself and such a treat from it has various useful components. The main benefit is considered to provide the body with iodine. However, before consuming it is important to consult with an endocrinologist, as only a doctor can decide whether such a dessert is useful in a particular case.

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

Essential oils in the composition of jam will protect a weakened body during the seasonal colds. For the prevention of prostatitis, men are recommended to eat a few spoonfuls of feijoa jam every day. In addition, such a dish is able to restore the hormonal background of both the male and female body.

Women who want to lose excess weight can add to their diet jam from such a dietary product. However, there should be little sugar in it. The effect of weight loss in such a 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 satiates.

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

When carrying a fetus, a woman often faces problems with bowel emptying. Feijoa jam is able to adjust the gastrointestinal tract, which normalizes the stool. For this purpose, it is enough to consume 100 grams of such exotic jam.

Recipe for jam

Feijoa jam is prepared according to a simple recipe. For this you need to prepare sugar and ripe berries in equal quantities and grind the ingredients until a homogeneous consistency. You can add a little more sugar, so the jam will be stored longer, but a little loss of the original taste of the fruit of the feijoa tree.

First, you should wash the fruit, peel it from the stalks and tails and chop it with a blender. Then the crushed berries should be placed in a container with an enameled surface and sprinkled with sugar. The mass should be stirred so that the sugar dissolves completely. The dessert should be placed in previously prepared jars of glass. Wash the jars and lids with a solution of soda, rinse and boil them.

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

You can also use another recipe, in which honey is added instead of sugar. Such an ingredient should not be subjected to heat treatment. Therefore, in this case you get a "live" dessert.

What are the benefits of feijoa leaves

Feijoa tree leaves have disinfectant and antiseptic properties and are used as a wound healing agent for cuts, abrasions, scratches. Decoction made from the leaves of the plant helps with toothaches and bleeding gums. With periodontal disease, it is recommended to prepare an infusion, which you can rinse your mouth with.

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

Folk medicine also uses a tea that should be taken with hypothyroidism. If you add a small amount of honey to the tea from the leaves, you can use such a remedy and to alleviate the symptoms of pyelonephritis.

Feijoa in medicine

Feijoa berries are characterized by many medicinal properties. They can restore the nervous system and relieve insomnia. Available in vitamins and minerals provide the production of white blood cells, which are responsible for the human immune system.

In the case of atherosclerosis, the product helps lower cholesterol levels. Plant fiber improves intestinal peristalsis, which leads to purification. The bark and leaves have a disinfectant effect.

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

The plant has also found use in cardiology. Feijoa fruits can cure hypertension, clear the blood vessels. To strengthen the vascular walls, you can add oranges to feijoa jam. So for one kilogram of berries you will need two kilograms of sugar and the squeezed juice of several oranges. The ready jam is consumed by one spoon in the morning and in the evening.

Application of feijoa in cosmetology

Feijoa has anti-inflammatory properties, due to what is recommended for problems with acne. It is easy to give a healthy look to aging skin with the help of masks. Thanks to the properties of berries can provide its hydration, nutrition and rejuvenation. The simplest recipe is the application of crushed feijoa fruit, chopped in a blender, on the skin for 10-15 minutes.

Before using any mask from this exotic fruit, it is important to test for allergies. To do this, it is necessary to put a small amount of the mask on the inner side of your elbow and keep it for 25 minutes. If there is no negative reaction, you can safely use such a mask.

Due to the presence of essential oils and antioxidant substances, feijoa is used to restore the health of hair and skin. Cosmetologists suggest a simple face mask, which can be done once a week. For this you need to prepare chamomile broth, cool and add one tablespoon of flakes and twice the amount of feijoa pulp. The mass should insist until the oat flakes swell. Then you should include in the mixture a teaspoon of almond or grape seed oil and apply to a pre-cleaned face. Keep such a mixture should be about 20 minutes. Then it should be rinsed off with warm water.

You can use another variant. In this case, the pulp of several berries need to be crushed to puree and add a mass of two tablespoons of cottage cheese, egg yolk and a tablespoon of olive oil. The mask should be kept for 20 minutes, after which it must be washed with cool water.

For the normal type of skin is suitable mask, which will remove signs of fatigue, smooth fine wrinkles and provide an even tone. Use this method is recommended in the cold season, when the skin especially needs vitamins. So, you need to mix a tablespoon each of fruit and grape seed oil to a smooth pulp, add one egg. The mask should be applied to the face and decollete area for 15-20 minutes. After that, you should wash it off with warm water. You can use this method every other day for three weeks.

Give oily skin a matte tone will help another mask, which is recommended to apply in the summer. Increased sweating often leads to various rashes. The ingredients of such a mask will help to clean pores and lighten the skin of the face. To prepare the mask, you will need only one peeled feijoa berry and one small tomato. The tomato should be blanched and peeled. Next, both components should be ground in a blender and applied to a cleansed face. After drying, it is enough to wash with cold water.

Harms and contraindications

Like any fruit, feijoa also has its own contraindications for use.

1. First, we are talking about people with an individual intolerance to the fruit of the exotic tree. Include in the diet of products that have never tried before a person should be very careful.
2. Secondly, it is important to observe the daily rate, which is set by the doctor. Dietitians recommend eating no more than 5 berries, which is about 300 grams of feijoa. Otherwise an allergic reaction or an overdose of iodine can develop. The symptoms of excess of this substance in the body are manifested by increased nervous excitability, anxiety, irritability, as well as arrhythmia and changes in body temperature.
3. The product should not be consumed by people who have hyperthyroidism. For various endocrine disorders, it is important to consult a specialist. Diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis and gastritis with high acidity should also be very careful when consuming feijoa berries.
4. It is not recommended to combine the exotic fruit with whole milk. This will lead to an upset stomach. You can combine such a fruit with fermented dairy products, such as yogurt, sour cream or cottage cheese.

The berries consumed should be fresh. They are stored in the refrigerator for no longer than a week. Therefore, you should remember that stale fruit can cause food poisoning. This is due to the fact that with improper or excessive storage in the berries begin to multiply pathogens.

Before using this product in food, it is important to study all the useful substances of the berry and take into account the possible harm to the body. To get a therapeutic effect from the use of feijoa, you should eat it systematically. A single reception 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 appearance of the product.

1. The skin of berries should be undamaged, without dents.
2. The ripe fruit has a smooth, firm and elastic surface.
3. The flesh is fleshy and translucent when cut.
4. Choosing feijoa fruits, you should ask the seller to cut the product. If the flesh is white, it is believed that the fruit is not yet ripe. But do not despair, you can put them in a warm room and after a couple of days to enjoy the taste and benefit of ripe fruit. As you know, some exotic fruits are transported unripe, they ripen a little later.

The product is perishable. If the flesh is found to be dark in color, it is not worth buying such a feijoa.

To preserve the useful elements of feijoa berries for a long time, you can store them in two ways. You can store the fruit in its fresh state. However, in this case, the fruit will be fit to eat for ten days after harvesting. Given the time of transportation, packing and preparation for sale, it is better to eat ripe fruit immediately or store a couple of days in the refrigerator. You can also make delicious and healthy jam. And here you can use the heat treatment of berries, and you can do without it.

Can I freeze?

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

Freeze feijoa fruits can be whole or chopped into a mashed state. In both cases, you will need to pick and remove spoiled berries, rinse under running water with soap. After that, you need to cut off the stalks and spread the feijoa on paper towels for drying. The dried berries should be placed in a single layer on a tray and placed in the freezer. It is important to turn and swap them regularly so that all specimens freeze evenly. After a day (usually enough time to freeze feijoa), the fruits can be collected in a tray, tightly covered with a lid and stored in the freezer for no more than a year.

Freezing berries in the form of puree is suitable in the case when there is not much space in the freezer. After trimming the stalks, the fruits are chopped with a blender or meat grinder and placed in trays with tightly sealed lids. With this method of freezing the product can be stored for about six months. Defrosted fruit should not be refrozen.

How to eat feijoa properly

To get the most benefit from the fruits of feijoa, you should use only ripe products. If the berries have not had time to ripen, you need to store them for a couple of days in a warm room, because they are brought unripe.

Ripe berries have a jelly-like filling, and the skin becomes thinner as they ripen. The way to consume such a product is similar to kiwifruit. You can remove the skin and cut the fruit in small pieces or cut off the top of the berry and eat the pulp with a dessert spoon. It is worth noting that the fully ripe fruit can be eaten whole, because it is the rind that brings the maximum benefit to the body.

Exot can be eaten in its pristine form or after heat treatment. The pulp has a pleasant taste, as for the rind, it is not quite pleasant to the taste. But since the rind is also useful, it is recommended to prepare jam or jam and use fruit with the skin.

Recipe for compote from feijoa

To get a useful compote, you will need 300 g of ripe fruits. They should be placed as a whole in 2.5 liters of boiling water, pre-filled with 150 grams of sugar. Boil the vitamin-enriched drink should be in a closed container for 30 minutes from the time of boiling. At the end of this time, take the compote off the stove and let it cool, to infuse on the table.

You can use another method. There is a recipe for compote with the use of feijoa and apples, and the cooking is carried out in a multicooker. For this you need to wash under running water and dry on a towel for 300 g of both ingredients. Feijoa should be cut in half, and the apples should be divided into 8 parts. If you plan to consume the fruit from the compote in the future, you can peel the fruit from the seeds. If you plan to strain the compote and consume only the liquid part, it is not worth wasting time cleaning the apples from the seeds.

Sliced fruit should be placed in a bowl of a multicooker and pour water. The level of water should be about 5 cm. If the bowl of techniques is five liters, it will be enough to add a glass of sugar. Then you need to close the lid of the device and cook the compote in "Soup" or "Stew" mode for an hour. After the end of cooking, do not open the lid of the multicooker, the compote should infuse for several hours. At the same time, you need to turn off the automatic mode to maintain the temperature.

Interesting facts about feijoa

1. Such a tree as feijoa is popular with flower growers. Extraordinarily beautiful flowers and leaves will be a great decoration for decorative plantings.
2. Feijoa has an unusual flavor that resembles in taste pineapple, kiwi and strawberry at the same time.

Photo of feijoa