Russians are already accustomed to the fact that almost any fruit and berries are constantly available. Of course the nutritional value Strawberries or raspberries brought to us at the height of frost are far from the value of domestic seasonal goods. However, even among exotic fruits there are those that deserve the closest attention. One of these products is feijoa.

Source: depositphotos.com

These green “berries” appear on our shelves in late autumn. They are not always imported: in Russia, feijoas are grown in the Krasnodar Territory and subtropical regions of the Caucasus. The pulp of the fruit tastes like strawberries, kiwi and pineapple at the same time. The thick green skin is not so appetizing, but very aromatic and healthy.

Today we will talk about the health benefits of feijoa.

Helps boost immunity

Feijoa peel contains a large number of essential oils and vitamin C. This complex successfully activates the body's defenses. Eating fruits helps cope with the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections and also reduces the likelihood of infection.

Contains a lot of iodine

Feijoa is the only fruit that contains more iodine than seafood. Moreover, the iodine compounds in its composition are water-soluble and are perfectly absorbed by the body.

Regular consumption of feijoa is necessary for diseases caused by iodine deficiency in food. The product normalizes the functioning of the endocrine system and metabolism, promotes the activation of mental activity.

Is a source of antioxidants

The main source of antioxidants is feijoa skin. It is rich in catechin and leucoanthocyanin, which have powerful antifungal and antibacterial effects. There is evidence of the ability of these substances to reduce the risk of developing cancer.

Helps with digestive disorders

Thanks to the unique combination of essential oils, tannins, antiseptics and other beneficial compounds, feijoa has a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The fruits relieve the unpleasant symptoms of gastritis and help with chronic constipation. It is recommended to consume feijoa for pathologies of the stomach, intestines, liver and pancreas.

Improves the condition of the cardiovascular system

Feijoa contains no less catechins than green tea. These substances maintain the tone of the vascular wall and serve as a prophylactic against a high risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies.

Treats kidney diseases

Feijoa fruits have a disinfectant and mild diuretic effect. They are recommended for use for inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract (pyelonephritis, cystitis, etc.).

Has an antiseptic effect

Feijoa peel is a natural antiseptic. Its decoction, which suppresses the activity of pathogenic microflora, is used as a rinse for stomatitis and periodontal disease, for external treatment of wounds, and also as a disinfectant and astringent for diarrhea.

Feijoa has a number of contraindications. Thus, it is forbidden to give it to children under the age of one year: their digestive system does not yet produce the enzymes necessary for digestion. Pregnant women should eat feijoa with caution so as not to get excess iodine. At diabetes mellitus the inclusion of fruits in the diet must be agreed with your doctor, since feijoa pulp contains quite a lot of sugars.

Unripe fruits should not be used as food: this can lead to poisoning. When eating feijoa for the first time, you should be prepared for an allergic reaction, so you should start with one or two fruits.

Feijoa is eaten fresh and made into jam and jam. The peel is dried and added to tea leaves. This is a seasonal fruit, but you can extend the period of its use by preparing a vitamin mixture from a kilogram of ripe feijoa (do not remove the peel!), ground with 600-800 g of sugar. The preparation is stored for a long time in the refrigerator. By taking one or two tablespoons of the mixture daily, you can strengthen the immune system, provide the body with iodine, improve the condition of the digestive tract and blood vessels, increase efficiency and mood, and protect yourself from colds throughout the long winter.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

On supermarket shelves you can find an unusual green and oval-shaped fruit. The cost of the presented product is quite reasonable and people can afford to make this purchase, but why? What to do with this “unearthly” fruit? This is about feijoa.

This berry is used in the production of cosmetic products, and is also eaten as an independent product. Beneficial properties of feijoa help cure serious diseases, some of which require long-term drug therapy. We can talk for a long time about the benefits of an interesting “overseas” product.

What is feijoa? His habitat

Many Russian citizens still do not know what is feijoa, although they see it on sale every year.

Feijoa is a type of small evergreen tree that became famous in late XIX century. The presented tree was discovered by Europeans, but on the territory of Brazil.

The discoverer of feijoa was the director of the Natural History Museum, João da Silva Feijo. At the time of discovery, the tree grew in South America. Since this tree is a subtropical plant, it does not do well in tropical climates. Then where does feijoa grow?

Today, these fruits can be found on the territory of Russia, but in protected areas of subtropical zones, for example, the Caucasus, Krasnodar region, Crimea. Feijoas came to Russia from Europe.

These fruits crossed the border of France in 1890. And already in 1900 they arrived in Yalta and spread throughout the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. Where the fruits began to be cultivated and grown in large quantities. But due to climate change, now feijoa grows in small quantities and only in protected areas of the reserve.

The benefits and harms of feijoa for the human body

The benefits and harms of feijoa discovered by scientists several decades ago. But due to ignorance, the fruits do not receive the popularity they deserve.

As some doctors say, if a person regularly consumed this emerald fruit in small quantities, the exacerbation of his diseases could be avoided.

How is feijoa beneficial for the body?

The benefits of feijoa in the treatment of diseases

How feijoa is useful and for what diseases it is used can only be answered by specialists. To identify the beneficial properties of berries, a number of studies were carried out, where the following were revealed: medicinal properties feijoa:

The fruits of this tree contain large amounts of iodine. Its concentration surpasses even the leaders among all food products - seafood and red fish. One kilogram of berries can be 15 times the daily requirement of the human body for iodine. That is why feijoa should be consumed by people who have been diagnosed with thyroid disorders associated with a lack of this beneficial enzyme in the human body.

But it should be noted that the product should be consumed for the treatment of the thyroid gland only after consultation with an endocrinologist.

Feijoas contain a huge amount of vitamins. There are representatives here whose intake can prevent the exacerbation of serious diseases, as well as eliminate an existing illness. The fruits contain:

• vitamin C – used for prophylactic purposes to prevent colds;
• Vitamin B1 – helps normalize the body’s metabolic processes, which improves brain function and of cardio-vascular system;
• B2 – helps maintain normal hormone levels and also affects tissue renewal;
• B3 - used to prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells in the human body, and also helps to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• B5 – used to normalize metabolic processes in order to prevent further development respiratory diseases - tuberculosis and other diseases;
• B6 – used to eliminate muscle cramps and numbness of the limbs;
• PP – has a beneficial effect on work nervous system.

Feijoa contains easily digestible proteins and fats, which classifies it as a dietary product. As a rule, 5-6 fruits can saturate the body useful vitamins and microelements, as well as enzymes involved in the construction of muscle tissue and in the production of energy for the normal functioning of the body. Therefore, they are often recommended for use by nutritionists when the patient is at a severe stage of obesity.

Feijoa can be used to prevent colds, which is especially important during the quarantine period. The essential oils contained in the fruits help the body cope with the virus that has entered it.

The fruits are of particular value due to the composition of the peel. It contains kakhetin and leukoanthocin - two enzymes that actively fight the proliferation and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Therefore, Russian oncologists advise people who are at the stage of a full examination with suspected cancer not to neglect berries.

Even if a person is diagnosed with a benign neoplasm, and it can develop into a malignant form, feijoa helps prevent such a process.

On this beneficial features feijoa fruit don't end. Experts are still conducting research, since some aspects are only now becoming known.

Useful properties of feijoa, video:

Beneficial properties of feijoa for men

The benefits of feijoa for men are sometimes priceless. A good half of middle-aged men know firsthand about such an unpleasant disease as prostatitis. The stronger sex simply does not have the time, sometimes the desire, to run to the doctor every time there is an exacerbation ( reluctance may be due to shame).

Urologists say that several fruits a day can prevent re-inflammation of the prostate, so they should be consumed for prevention and medicinal purposes.

Feijoa also acts as an excellent hormonal therapy and is therefore recommended for use in both men and women for problems with the opposite sex.

What are the benefits of feijoa for women?

As mentioned above, feijoa is a dietary product, so it is recommended to be consumed during a diet by women who want to lose weight. The fruits of the berries contain substances that can speed up metabolism, which has a positive effect on a woman’s figure and is beneficial during the diet.

Eat fruits instead of sweet confectionery, and also replace dinner with 300 g of tasty and ripe berries.

In addition, feijoa copes well with painful menstruation, as it promotes rapid dilatation of the cervix due to the accelerated metabolic process.

The fruits of the berries are often used in cosmetology. A woman can purchase ready-made formulations or make them herself. The product slows down cell aging and is particularly popular as an anti-aging agent. The berries are used to prepare masks to rejuvenate the skin and remove age wrinkles.

We should not forget about the beautiful antifungal properties of feijoa. These fruits are often used to treat nail and skin fungus, but only after examination and identification of the nature of the disease. Of course, the berry you use will not cause any more harm, but there will be no benefit from its use either. As a result, money and time will be spent on treatment.

Beneficial properties of feijoa for pregnant women

Pregnant women should consume feijoa regularly due to a lack of iodine in the body during pregnancy. Here we should talk about the benefits of the described product for the gastrointestinal tract, namely the elimination of constipation. Just 3-4 fetuses a day and this piquant problem of all expectant mothers will go away immediately.

What are the benefits of feijoa for children?

Feijoa should be given to children during the period of quarantine and widespread colds. The benefits of vitamin C will prevent infection and significantly improve the child’s immunity.

You can also talk about the benefits of berries during food poisoning, which causes frequent vomiting and diarrhea in a child. Of course, in such situations there is no need to fully rely on the healing properties of feijoa, but the essential oils contained in the product soothe the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, which leads to a significant improvement in the baby’s health.

Teenagers are also recommended to make masks using feijoa to get rid of acne. As mentioned above, this fruit has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it can significantly eliminate the redness of acne and relieve the child from itching. Here it is enough to add the berry pulp to regular milk to cleanse your face. The mixture is applied to the face, neck and ears, and then after 15 minutes, wash the face with running water.

Feijoa beneficial properties and contraindications

The benefits and harms of feijoa– of the two aspects, only positive sides presented berries. But this fruit also has back side – contraindications. These include individual intolerance.

Often, people with a high iodine content in the body after consuming the product experience some deterioration in their condition - dizziness, nausea, and in rare cases, attacks of fever. If you feel this way, stop consuming the product.

We must not forget about allergic reactions. After all, feijoa is, first of all, a berry, and like any representative of the fruit, the described product can also be classified as an allergen. After consumption in reasonable quantities, a person may experience a deterioration in the condition in the form of skin rashes, coughing and choking attacks. Therefore, if you decide to try the product for the first time, limit yourself to consuming 1-2 berries.

Monitor your condition for some time ( at least 2 hours), and then, in the absence of allergic manifestations, you can be content with the presented “overseas” fruit.

Proper use of feijoa

How to choose feijoa? A question that interests most Russian citizens. The tree begins to bear fruit in late October - early November. Already in November, feijoa can be found on sale in all corners of Russia. But since ripe fruits and berries cannot be transported, their fruits may be tough.

As experts say, the taste of these berries is reminiscent of strawberries, wild strawberries, pineapple, or all of these flavors together. Buyers unknowingly purchase unripe fruits and taste hard fruits with an unclear and very sour taste.

As a result, the desire to consume feijoa disappears in the future. It's their immaturity. Feijoa is suitable for consumption only when ripe, when its fruits are soft to the touch.

How to store feijoa?

You won’t find soft fruits on store shelves, so here you have to “take what they give,” but leave them to ripen. After a couple of days you can be content with the fruit. When choosing, pay attention to the peel - it should be solid, without dents or dark spots. Ask the seller to cut the berry to check its ripeness.

The pulp of the berry should be transparent. If you saw pulp white, you will have to wait a few days until they are fully ripened.

Berries should ripen in a well-ventilated room at a temperature of 21–24°C. It is better to place the unripe product on the windowsill. Check the ripeness of feijoas by their softness. Place ripe berries in the refrigerator immediately after purchase.

If the fruits are unripe and stored in the refrigerator, they can last from autumn to spring without losing their taste and medicinal properties.

How to choose feijoa? Video:

How to eat feijoa correctly?

Another significant issue concerns proper consumption. Here among the leaders there is a question: how to eat feijoa - with or without peel?

Firstly, feijoa is eaten quickly, since its ripening can quickly develop into an overripe composition unsuitable for consumption.

Secondly, the fruits are eaten fresh or used to prepare culinary masterpieces.

Thirdly, how to eat feijoa - with or without peel - is up to you.

The peel is tougher and has a tart taste, so it is not recommended to eat it in its pure form. Usually the berry is cut into two halves and the pulp is scooped out with a teaspoon. But here desire and tastes may not coincide, so it’s up to you to decide.

Another question in the section on how to eat feijoa concerns its daily intake. After all, excessive consumption of tropical fruit is fraught with the development of ailments such as intestinal disorders and an abundance of vitamins in the body, which can manifest itself in the form of a skin rash.

The daily intake of this fruit is calculated taking into account the required daily amount of iodine in the body. If a person does not suffer from a lack of iodine in the body, then he daily intake of feijoa based on two fruits per day.

A child over one year old can consume up to 1 fruit per day. Of course, such an amount of ripe fruit may not saturate the body, but it should not be abused.

Monitor your condition carefully. Use feijoa in dishes as an ingredient.

For example, use fruit to fill a pie and apply additional heat treatments to it. So, you will significantly reduce the risk of irritation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines.

How to eat feijoa? Video:

Recipes for feijoa dishes, jam for the winter

Feijoa jam recipe without cooking

Quite a famous recipe feijoa jam without cooking, because it greatly simplifies the task for young housewives. Here you will need:

• kilogram of berries;
• 700 grams of sugar.

The berries should not be peeled, because most of the beneficial microelements are contained in the outer shell. Well-washed fruits are grated or used in a blender for chopping. Pour the finished mixture with sugar and mix everything thoroughly.

After 1 hour, the composition is transferred to jars, which can be pre-sterilized, and rolled up with tin lids. The cooled filled jars are put in the refrigerator for a day. After time, the jam will turn into a jelly-like consistency. This indicates that the preparation for the winter is ready. Feijoa jam is stored in a cool place for the winter.

These fruits are not compatible with milk and other dairy products with a liquid consistency. Such consumption may lead to irritation of the intestinal mucosa.

But if you mix the pulp of the fruit with cottage cheese or even grated cheese, you get a very amazing taste.

Feijoa - growing at home

Feijoa can be grown at home. No specific skill or knowledge is required here. It is enough just to purchase a ready-made plant bush and study the rules that will be required for its cultivation and positive fruiting:

Don't be put off by the small green fruits on store shelves. If the price tag says "Feijoa", you can safely purchase fruits and delight yourself and your loved ones with excellent dishes and delicious delicacies.

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My dear readers, today our topic will be a little exotic. First, I just want to ask you: Have you heard of feijoa? Have you tried it? If not, then I strongly advise you to pay attention to it. I just want to humor you a little: if anyone still doesn’t know feijoa, life has passed or is passing by. Today I invite you to a conversation about this berry, we will talk about the beneficial and medicinal properties of feijoa and contraindications.

I first heard about feijoa when my daughter and I were treated in onco-hematology. The diagnosis was very serious. And so often I remember the head nurse. She advised us to be sure to buy them during the berry selling season and give them to our children. They inhibit the growth of cancer cells and are good for the blood, strengthening the body. Since then, I began to always buy feijoa during the season. You can buy feijoas in a large supermarket, but I prefer to buy them at the market, where you can find fresher berries, and there is always more choice.

The smell and taste of feijoa

To me, this berry tastes like a mixture of kiwi, strawberry and pineapple aromas. Believe me, it is a very tasty berry, although it may not seem very attractive at first glance. The pulp is very juicy. Feel free to ask the seller to cut the fruit and show the pulp. There are so many subtleties here. If you see white flesh, the fruit is unripe. There is nothing good about him. If the pulp Brown, this means that the fruit is no longer suitable for food. The most mature feijoa fruit has absolutely transparent flesh.

It is best eaten by scraping out the pulp with a spoon. I personally don't like skin. This is not for everybody. You can buy slightly unripe fruits and let them sit at home for just a couple of days.

Feijoa. Compound. Calorie content

The unusual appearance of tropical fruits hides an aromatic, delicate taste and many useful substances. Tropical Pods include:

• micro and macroelements: iodine, iron, manganese, zinc, silicon, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and calcium and others;
• vitamins - B3, B5, C, A, B1, B6, PP;
• acids - folic and malic;
• amino acids - arginine, asparagine, glutamine, tyrosine, alanine;
• pectin;
• tannins;
• essential oils;
• biologically active substances - tannin, leukoanthocin and kakhetin;
• enzymes;

The nutritional value of 100 g of feijoa fruit is 1.24 g of protein, 0.78 g of fat, 10.63 g of carbohydrates.

Feijoa calories

Calorie content of 100 g of exotic fruits is 49 kcal per 100 grams of berries.

Feijoa. Photo

This is what this berry looks like:

Feijoa. Useful and medicinal properties. Benefits and harms

The fruits have gained great popularity due to the content of highly concentrated organic compound iodine. Therefore, feijoa is considered an ideal remedy for the prevention of iodine deficiency. Doctors recommend tropical fruits to patients with thyroid diseases and mental workers. Together with the vitamin complex, iodine improves the functioning of the endocrine system and normalizes metabolism.

The significant content of pectins makes it possible to use feijoa fruits for making marmalade and jelly. Pectin is a soluble fiber that helps reduce appetite and improve digestive processes.

Reduces cholesterol levels.

This berry is very good for the heart.

Natural medicine for all hypertensive patients.

Cleanses the blood, very useful for anemia.

The peel of exotic fruits contains tannins, which impart a tart taste, and the biologically active substances leukoanthocin and kakhetin are considered powerful antioxidants. The peel is almost never used for food; it can easily be separated from the pulp, then dried and added to tea.

Thanks to his vitamin composition the fruit has an immunomodulatory effect, so it is recommended to eat feijoa during exacerbation of colds, in postoperative period and after serious illnesses.

Many nutritionists advise including feijoa in your diet if the gastrointestinal tract is unstable, constipation, and various diseases of the intestines, pancreas, liver, and stomach.

If you have the opportunity to get feijoa leaves, I advise you to dry them and prepare delicious tea in winter. The leaves contain a lot of essential oils with the aroma of myrtle.

The prepared infusion and decoction of feijoa fruits, bark and leaves has an antiseptic and disinfectant effect. It can be used in the treatment of kidney inflammation, treat wounds, abrasions, cuts, rinse the mouth for periodontal disease,

Thanks to antioxidants, essential oils and other beneficial substances, feijoa actively affects pathogenic microorganisms and has a strong antibacterial and antifungal effect.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the iodine content in fruits depends on the area where feijoa grows. In areas where the soil contains little iodine or under indoor conditions, the fruits are ineffective in preventing iodine deficiency.

Feijoa. Harm. Contraindications

We have learned the beneficial properties of feijoa, but I would like to warn you that you should be careful about your health and take into account all contraindications before eating feijoa.

If you come across unripe feijoas at the market, it is better to let them lie next to bananas for several days. room temperature. This will speed up the ripening of the fruit and relieve you of digestive system disorders, because unripe tropical fruit can cause poisoning.

Feijoa should not be mixed with dairy products or washed down with milk to avoid disruption of the gastrointestinal tract. The reason is that the pectins contained in the fruits are not compatible with milk.

If you have diabetes, you should consult your doctor in advance. Large amounts of sugars can cause significant harm.

High iodine content will have harmful effects in hyperthyroidism. After all, both excess and deficiency of iodine have a detrimental effect on human health.

Nursing and pregnant women can consume feijoa berries in small quantities. Take into account whether doctors have previously prescribed iodine preparations to exclude an overdose of iodine and poor health.

To prevent all consequences, we can once again tell everyone one wise thing: never “lean on” any products. And if you're trying something for the first time, always try a little bit at a time. We are all different. And your reaction to even the simplest, most common and useful for many products can be individual.

The use of feijoa for medicinal purposes

Most healthy recipe, in my opinion, which I prepare myself and highly recommend you use. This recipe, in my opinion, is universal, suitable for both adults and children. I gave it to my daughter, and I always used it myself.

A universal recipe for using feijoa with health benefits

It's very easy to prepare. Wash the fruits and dry them. Cut off the stems of the berries. I never remove the peel. And then use either a meat grinder or a blender. The result is a mass of pleasant emerald color. Add granulated sugar to it. The nurse advised us to keep the proportions 1:1. But I often granulated sugar I put less. For 1 kg of berries, 600 grams of granulated sugar. You can add orange, nuts here (it’s especially good to add walnuts). Mix everything thoroughly. Place in a glass jar. Place in the refrigerator. Take a teaspoon 3 times a day.

If you prepare this recipe with an orange, you must peel it and also grind it either in a meat grinder or in a blender.

I will talk in more detail about recipes with feijoa in a separate article. Here I will give only basic and brief recipes on how to use feijoa for health.

For stress, depression eat 5-6 fruits a day. Uplifting, tasty and healthy.

For prevention diseases of the cardiovascular system squeeze 1 tablespoon of juice and mix with ¼ glass of water. Drink once a day, at any time.

For treatment and prevention atherosclerosis make jam from feijoa and oranges.

Very good at problems with blood vessels use my universal recipe. And here's another recipe. Blanch 0.5 kg. feijoa. Do not peel the fruits, then grind them in a blender and add 1 kg. sugar until juice appears. Boil for 5-10 minutes, add juice from one orange and cook until tender. But when cooking jam, many beneficial substances are still destroyed. But it turns out very tasty.

For the prevention and treatment of diseases thyroid gland with iodine deficiency, take 1 tablespoon of feijoa puree half an hour before meals.

At hypertension Grind feijoa fruits in a blender, mix with sugar in a 1:1 ratio and take one tablespoon twice a day.

At hepatitis A(jaundice) drink tea from a mixture of feijoa flowers and leaves (in equal parts). Pour one tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water and leave for half an hour. Drink twice a day. Tea made from the leaves also helps with goiter.

A few fruits in your diet will help you in the following cases:

• rheumatic pains;
• anemia;
• malaria and scurvy;
• painful menstruation;
• bronchitis;
• high cholesterol;
• gout;
• Graves' disease;
• acne;
• atonic constipation;
• reduced immunity.

I suggest you look interesting video about the beneficial properties of feijoa. I highly recommend watching the video. The market where these berries are sold is shown, and advice is given on how to choose feijoa and why it is useful.

And if you do buy feijoa at the market, I highly advise you to treat yourself too. Let's prepare something delicious and don't forget about the face and décolleté area.

The use of feijoa in cosmetology

Due to its medicinal composition, feijoa fruit pulp is used for cosmetic purposes. She provides:

• anti-inflammatory;
• rejuvenating;
• nutritious;
• improving blood circulation
• softening
• refreshing effect.

Masks based on tropical fruits will help get rid of rosacea, acne, age spots on the face, give elasticity to the skin and improve appearance faces. For the same purposes, you can use a decoction of feijoa leaves.

Feijoa cosmetic mask recipe:

• yolk from one egg;
• tablespoon olive oil;
• 2 tbsp. spoons of cottage cheese;
• pulp from half a feijoa fruit.

Grind the feijoa in a blender and mix with other ingredients. Apply ready mixture on the skin of the face and neck. Wash with warm water after 20 minutes. Lubricate your face with moisturizer.

You can also simply use the pulp of the berry for a mask. Also a very good effect. I like it the most. Especially when there is no time to mix something there, there is simply no time, but you want mood and freshness of the face. Just remember to test on your wrist to see if this mask is right for you.

The use of feijoa in cooking

Tropical fruits go well with a variety of foods. You can add oily and citrus fruits, fresh or boiled beets, carrots, and apples to salads. It is better to season with yogurt or low-fat sour cream.

Feijoa with beets. Salad

Boil 400 gr. beets, grate. Wash and cut 200 gr. Feijoa hearths, mix with beets and add crushed walnut kernels. For this amount of food, take about 5-7 walnuts. Add salt to taste and season with vegetable oil. You can add feta cheese and sesame seeds.

Salsa with feijoa

Served as a sauce for fish and meat dishes. Mix 3 feijoa fruits, an onion and 1 tablespoon in a blender cane sugar. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Feijoa jelly (marmalade)

To prepare jelly you need:

• Grind 1.5 kg in a blender. feijoa;
• mix with 1 glass of natural apple cider vinegar and 50 gr. pectin for fruits;
• Boil in a water bath for 5-6 minutes, avoiding boiling;
• remove from heat and, stirring quickly, add 5 cups of sugar;
• put it in a water bath again and, stirring constantly, cook until the sugar is completely dissolved;
• remove the foam with a slotted spoon;
• pour the prepared hot jelly into small glass jars and close with a lid;
• cool overnight at room temperature.

Keep refrigerated.

Glaze for feijoa meat or fish

To prepare the glaze you will need:

• 1 cup feijoa jelly;
• a quarter glass of cane sugar;
• 2 tsp chopped garlic;
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon;
• 2 tsp ground ginger;
• chili powder (optional)

Mix all ingredients, generously grease the surface of the fish or meat, and place in the oven.

And for the soul we will listen today GIOVANNI MARRADI - Romantico How beautiful everything is, how romantic. Wonderful music.

This is the information about the beneficial and medicinal properties of feijoa today. I hope you found it useful and interesting.
Feijoa. Useful and medicinal properties. Contraindications.

Feijoa was first discovered in Brazil, and since then the exotic fruit has gained popularity all over the world. Currently, the berry can be found throughout the vastness of our homeland; the product mainly grows in the southern regions. Feijoa has a rich chemical composition, which contains essential microelements for the human body.

Choosing the right feijoa

1. To choose worthy fruits, you need to pay attention to the integrity of the shell. The peel should not have any damage or dents. A ripe berry is smooth, dense and elastic to the touch.
2. If you cut an exotic fruit, the flesh should be transparent and fleshy. In this case, the taste of feijoa will be fully revealed.
3. When choosing a product at the market, ask the seller to cut the berry, this way you can ensure its integrity and ripeness.
4. If the flesh is white, the fruit can be considered unripe. Don’t despair, place the fruits at home in a warm room. In a few days, the feijoa will gain proper maturity and can be consumed.
5. Exotic fruits are picked unripe; the berries ripen during transportation. Feijoa also tends to spoil quickly. If, when cutting the fruit, you see pulp dark color, please refrain from purchasing.

Benefits and composition of feijoa

1. When studying feijoa, it turned out that the fruit contains a high level of iodine. The enzyme is easily absorbed by the body because it is in a water-soluble form. It has been scientifically proven that berries are an order of magnitude superior to red fish and seafood in terms of iodine content.
2. If you eat just a few fruits a day, you will replenish daily norm iodine in the body. It is highly recommended to consume exotic berries for people who have problems with the thyroid gland. It is also worth including feijoa in the diet of children and the elderly.
3. It is highly recommended to consume the fruits if you live in big cities. Feijoa contains ascorbic acid, which actively prevents colds. Thiamine is involved in the normalization of metabolic processes, maintaining the functioning of the heart muscle and brain activity.
4. The presence of riboflavin in berries is responsible for stabilizing the level of hormones in the body. In addition, the enzyme is involved in the synthesis of red blood cells, the breakdown of fats and the renewal of fibers and tissues. Nicotinic acid normalizes the functioning of the pancreas and the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. The enzyme reduces blood pressure and prevents the development of cancer cells.
5. Thanks to the content of pantothenic acid in feijoa, the functioning of metabolic processes in the body is restored. The enzyme actively suppresses a number of ailments and is able to cope with pancreatitis, allergies, liver diseases, tuberculosis and bronchitis.
6. Pyridoxine helps build enzymes that are necessary for the functioning of all muscles of the human body. Chemical substance effectively affects muscles during cramps, spasms and numbness of the limbs. At the same time, pyridoxine slows down tissue aging at the cellular level.
7. Feijoa is rich in niacin, an enzyme that is an integral part of the central nervous system. The substance actively participates in protein metabolism and has a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Thanks to the easily digestible fats and proteins that feijoa is rich in, it can be classified as a dietary product.
8. The peel of exotic berries contains leukoanthocin and kakhetin; chemical enzymes are recognized as powerful antioxidants. Substances resist harmful effects environment. In addition, kakhetin and leukoanthocin prevent the formation of cancer cells and pathologies.

1. Pediatricians strongly recommend introducing feijoa into your baby’s daily diet with extreme caution. Otherwise, you risk causing your child intolerance even after just 1 berry.
2. If complementary feeding goes without any harmful consequences, feijoa will only bring invaluable benefits to the child. Due to the high iodine content in the product, the baby will not feel tired. The berries will also have a positive effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland.
3. Feijoa has proven itself to be an effective product in strengthening the immune system. Thus, with regular use, the body's resistance increases. The child is not at risk of various diseases such as viral infections and fungi. It is highly recommended to consume the fruits during the off-season.
4. You should also be careful if your child is at risk of developing excess weight or diabetes. You can eat berries, but you should limit their daily amount and constantly monitor the body’s reaction.

Benefits of feijoa for pregnant women

1. Girls who are pregnant need to treat nutrition with special responsibility. The main criteria remain that products must be balanced, healthy and varied. During pregnancy, the formation of the fetus and its organs occurs.
2. Try not to give in to various temptations in terms of unhealthy foods; it is during pregnancy that you want something useless. Experts recommend that pregnant girls eat various vegetables and fruits that grow in your climate. During the cold season, things are more complicated.
3. It has been scientifically proven that feijoa, despite its exotic nature, is excellent for the fairer sex during pregnancy. In addition to the above microelements, it has special benefits ascorbic acid and niacin. Enzymes are easily absorbed by the body.
4. Tropical berries also contain high levels of iodine and iron. Minerals are easily absorbed by the blood and form the fetus without signs of damage. It is also worth considering the fact that if your doctor has prescribed iodine-containing vitamins to you, you should limit your consumption of feijoa. An excess of a microelement is just as harmful as its deficiency.

1. It has been scientifically proven that feijoa has a disinfectant and antiseptic effect. With the help of various infusions, decoctions of fruits and leaves, you can heal skin abrasions. The products are excellent for bleeding gums and toothache.
2. To make a nourishing face mask, just combine the grated fruit with the yolk of an egg. As a result, the skin will receive a charge of useful microelements, microcracks and creases will be smoothed out. The dermis will also gain an even tone, smoothness and velvety feel.

Contraindications and possible harm of feijoa

1. The product is so unique that it has virtually no contraindications, except for individual intolerance.
2. Individuals who may have allergies or hypersensitivity to iodine should be wary of the fruit. As practice shows, such phenomena occur in rare cases.
3. Therefore, if you are allergic, carefully monitor your health. If there are any deviations, immediately stop eating exotic berries.

Rules for eating feijoa

1. To ensure that feijoa does not leave you indifferent and brings maximum benefits to the body, you need to eat only ripe fruits. There can only be a snag if the berries have not had time to ripen. As described earlier, feijoas are harvested unripe.
2. If you purchased the fruits in this form, do not despair, the product can be kept in a warm room for several days, after which you can enjoy the pulp of its unique taste. During the process of ripening, feijoa will acquire a filling similar to jelly, and the peel will noticeably become thinner.
3. The method of eating feijoa is very similar to kiwi. You can remove the peel from the berries and chop them into pieces. Also, the upper part of the fruit is cut off and eaten with a dessert spoon, removing the pulp from the cavity. Do not forget that if feijoa is fully ripe, it can be consumed whole. As you know, it is in the peel that almost all the benefits are concentrated.

If you suffer from chronic fatigue, obesity, vitamin deficiency or loss of strength, experts strongly recommend including about 6 feijoa berries in your daily diet. After a few days you will feel better. In addition, the fruits are rich in essential oils, which are involved in strengthening the human protective shell.

Video: benefits and harms of feijoa

Feijoa (also known as Akka Sellova) is an evergreen subtropical tree with edible sweet fruits.

Homeland - Brazil. The plant got its name in honor of the famous Brazilian breeder, director of the Natural History Museum, Joanie de Silva Feijo.

Current habitat of cultivated Feijoa species:

• Azerbaijan, Sicily, New Zealand, Abkhazia.

On Russian territory fruit tree grown in Dagestan and some regions of the Krasnodar Territory.

Unfortunately, feijoa is not a frequent guest on our table. And in vain, because the seemingly inconspicuous green fruit with the aromatic smell of strawberries, kiwi and pineapple has not only excellent taste, but also a lot of healing properties.

The benefits and harms of feijoa are determined by its chemical composition.

100 g of ripe fruit contains:

• 0.6 fat,
• 1 g protein,
• 13 g carbohydrates,
• 0.1 g unsaturated fat,
• 0.3 g unsaturated fatty acids,
• 8 g sugars,
• 6 g dietary fiber.

Everything else comes from minerals and vitamins:

• potassium 172 mg, iron 0.1 mg, phosphorus 20 mg,
• zinc 0.04 mg, sodium 30 mg, copper 55 mcg,
• magnesium 9 mg, manganese 0.085 mg, calcium 17 mg,
• (B1, B2, B5, B6, B9) 0.4 mg,
• vitamin C 32.9 mg, vitamin PP 0.289 mg.

Feijoa is unique in that it contains rapidly soluble iodine compounds, the proportion of which in 100 g of product reaches 0.5 mg.

The share of acids in feijoa is 1.8-2.8% of the total weight of the fruit. Moreover, as the fruit ripens, the amount of acids only increases.

Feijoa contains 5 essential amino acids:

• tyrosine, asparagine, alanine, arginine, glutamine.

Pectins account for 2.5-3%, and phenolic compounds (tannin, catechins, leukoanthocyanins) 0.4-0.8% of the total weight of the fruit.

Most of the phenolic compounds are found in the skin of the fruit. It is these substances that give feijoa its astringent taste.

The nutritional value of feijoa per 100 g of product is 55 kcal.

Benefit for health

Due to the large amount of vitamins, macro- and microelements, feijoa is recommended to be consumed during the period of vitamin deficiencies.

Surprisingly, the fruit ripening period falls at the end of autumn - the beginning of winter. It is at this time that our body, after the summer abundance of fruits and vegetables, first feels a lack of vitamins and minerals. So feijoa will come in handy.

The main benefit of feijoa is that its pulp contains easily digestible iodine, the proportion of which is so high that the fleshy berry is not inferior in value to seafood.

This means that the green fruits of Akka Sellova can be used to treat all kinds of endocrine diseases.

However, not all types of feijoa contain the required amount of iodine. For example, feijoa from Batumi contains only traces of iodine. There is no point in using such fruits to treat the thyroid gland.

Thanks to vitamin C, which is an excellent antioxidant, feijoa is used in the fight against diseases of the cardiovascular system, atherosclerosis, hypertension, ARVI, influenza, and sore throat.

It has been scientifically proven that feijoa has immunomodulatory properties, so it is useful to eat it during exacerbations of seasonal colds, after serious illnesses and in the postoperative period.

In the areas where Akka Sellova grows, not only the fruits are used for medicinal purposes, but also the beneficial properties of feijoa leaves, which contain a large amount of essential oils, are used. It is the volatile esters that give the leaves the aroma of myrtle. Feijoa leaves are dried and delicious teas are prepared from them in winter.

Nutritionists recommend consuming feijoa during therapeutic diet for disorders of the digestive system, as well as diseases of the stomach (for example, hypoacid gastritis), intestines, liver, pancreas, etc.

Feijoa decoctions and infusions are often used to treat pyelonephritis of various etiologies.

It is interesting that the feijoa peel contains more useful substances than the pulp. Of course, the astringent peel greatly reduces the taste of feijoa if you eat the whole fruit. But such a berry will be more useful. Although you can do it differently. It is enough to cut off the peel and dry it, and then add it to tea.

Another remarkable beneficial property of feijoa fruit is its anti-cancer effect. Regular consumption of feijoa significantly reduces the risk of developing cancer. And in case of existing cancer, it allows you to achieve stable remission. Of course, one cannot be fanatical about this fruit, because feijoa is only an additive to the main treatment.

Thanks to essential oils, antioxidants and other substances, feijoa has a negative effect on pathogenic microorganisms and has a powerful antifungal and antibacterial effect.

Thus, decoctions of bark, leaves and fruits can be used as an antiseptic disinfectant. They can be used to treat deep wounds, ulcers, abrasions, cuts, rinse the mouth with bleeding gums, and relieve toothache.

Feijoa does not cause allergic reactions.

The benefits of feijoa in cosmetology

Thanks to the antioxidants that Akka Sellova fruits are rich in, feijoa is often used for cosmetic purposes.

Feijoa-based masks have a beneficial effect on the skin - they relieve inflammation, make it softer, give elasticity and generally improve blood circulation and the appearance of the face. Feijoa decoctions, as well as masks from the fruit, can be used to treat rosacea, acne, and age spots.

To achieve rejuvenation and freshness of the skin, you can prepare a medicinal mask from feijoa.

Required components:

• 1 tbsp. spoon of Provençal oil,
• half a ripe feijoa fruit,
• 2 tbsp. spoons of low-fat cottage cheese,
• 1 yolk.

Grate the feijoa or puree it in a blender. Mix with remaining ingredients. Apply the mask to the skin of the face and neck. After 20 minutes, rinse with warm water.

How to eat feijoa correctly

Only ripe feijoa has excellent taste. However, it is not always possible to purchase ripe fruits. The fact is that feijoas are harvested unripe due to the fact that the fruits are perishable products.

If the feijoa is hard and not very pleasant to the taste, then the berry is simply not ripe. In this case, the fruits need to lie down for several days. Ripe feijoa has watery, jelly-like pulp and a thin skin.

Many people prefer to eat feijoa like kiwi, that is, cut off the thick skin and cut the flesh into pieces.

However, ripe fruits can also be eaten with the peel, especially since the bulk of the beneficial substances of feijoa is concentrated in it.

In cooking, feijoa is added to salads, main courses, snacks, and used to prepare sauces.

How to store

Unlike apples, pears, plums, and other berries and fruits, feijoa has a rather short shelf life. Ripe fruits can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 7 days. The surest way to always enjoy delicious fruits is to buy feijoa 1-2 kg.

You can make a wonderful dessert from feijoa fruits, which can be stored all winter. It prepares very quickly:

Pass the feijoa through a meat grinder and combine with the same amount of sugar. Store dessert in the refrigerator. Thus, you will not only be able to extend the shelf life of feijoa, but also preserve all the beneficial substances of the exotic berry.

Medicinal use

To combat goiter, take medicinal tea based on feijoa leaves twice a day. Pour a tablespoon of feijoa leaves into a glass of boiling water and leave for 30 minutes. If you add a spoonful of honey to this drink, then the tea can also be used to treat nephritis.

For preventive purposes against hypothyroidism, regularly consume feijoa puree:

• Grind several fruits in a blender and mix with sugar.
• Store the finished product in the refrigerator.
• Eat according to Art. spoon before each meal.

For jaundice, it is good to drink freshly brewed tea from feijoa flowers and leaves.

Those with a sweet tooth should enjoy this medicinal feijoa jam:

• Take 0.5 kg of feijoa fruit, 1 orange, 1 kg of sugar.
• Boil the berries for 10 minutes in a small amount of water, then discard and cover with sugar. Squeeze the juice from the orange.
• Next, transfer the feijoa to a saucepan, add juice and boil until thick.

The benefit of feijoa jam is that this dessert not only retains many beneficial substances, but is also medicine with atherosclerosis.

Harm and possible contraindications

Ripe feijoa does not affect human body no harm. However, more often you can buy unripe berries.

Do not rush to eat the exotic fruit, but let it sit for several days at room temperature.

Unripe feijoa can negatively affect the functioning of the digestive system and even cause poisoning. To speed up the ripening of berries, keep them next to bananas for several days.

Because of great content iodine, feijoa is contraindicated for use in case of hyperthyroidism, because an excess amount of iodine is as detrimental to the body as its deficiency.

Feijoa should be consumed with caution if you have diabetes, as the exotic berry contains a large amount of sugars. In this regard, it is better to consult with your doctor.

It is not recommended to mix feijoa with milk or drink it with dairy products. The fact is that pectins, which feijoa is rich in, do not combine well with milk. Feijoa with milk can negatively affect the digestive system.

Despite the fact that feijoa rarely causes allergic reactions, it is not recommended to give it to children under one year old, since babies do not yet have enough enzymes in their bodies to digest exotic fruits well.

Pregnant and lactating women are advised to consume feijoa only in minimal quantities. It's all about iodine. It's no secret that all pregnant women and nursing mothers are prescribed medications with a high iodine content. Eating feijoa can cause an overdose of iodine, which will negatively affect the health of the mother and child.