Researchers have found that guava juice could help improve hemoglobin levels and support the fight against anemia, particularly among women and teenage girls in low- and middle-income countries.
A new review published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health analyzed 17 studies and found that consuming guava juice alongside iron supplements appeared to raise hemoglobin levels more effectively than taking iron supplements alone.
Scientists explained that guava is especially rich in vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron more efficiently. According to the researchers, guava contains up to four times more vitamin C than oranges per 100 grams.
The review included studies involving pregnant women and adolescent girls, most of them conducted in Indonesia. Overall, participants who consumed guava juice experienced an average increase in hemoglobin levels of 1.71 g/dl. Pregnant women showed a slightly greater improvement than teenage girls.
Five studies directly compared iron supplements alone with iron supplements combined with guava juice. The combination approach resulted in hemoglobin levels that were on average 1.29 g/dl higher.
Researchers noted that even a moderate increase in hemoglobin could help move people from mild or moderate anemia into a non-anemic range, potentially improving fatigue, concentration, and overall well-being.
However, the authors cautioned that the available evidence still has limitations. Most of the studies were relatively small and observational, and all were conducted in Indonesia. Scientists said larger and more rigorous clinical trials are still needed before guava juice can be recommended as part of standard anemia treatment.
Despite this, researchers believe guava juice could become a low-cost and culturally acceptable nutritional strategy in regions where iron deficiency anemia is widespread.
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