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Guava is the origin of a tropical America and South-East Asia. Its leaf has been used as health tea. Guava Leaf has a character of strong Superoxide-dismutase-like activity. Because decreasing of free radicals makes anti-oxidizing effect in the body, it can prevent arterial sclerosis, thrombosis, cataract and inhibit senescence of body and skin (1). Also, polyphenolic compounds contained in Guava Leaf have an effect to suspend proceeding of peroxidation reaction in the living body which can be expected to prevent various chronic diseases (2). Guava leaf, anti-diabetic effect, reduces blood sugar Guava leaf has been used as a folk remedy for diabetes and there are studies of Guava leaf for anti-diabetic effect. Guava leaf inhibits the increase in the plasma level of blood sugar, but not to effect on the plasma level of insulin (3). Guava leaf, anti-allergic effect, improves atopic dermatitis One of factors for atopic dermatitis and other allergies are histamine release from cells. So that it is believed that the inhibition of histamine release from cells can cure atopic dermatitis and other allergies. Guava leaf has an inhibitory effect for the release of histamine from cells (4). Guava leaf, a-amylase inhibitor, reduces body fat Obesity is a phenomenon of over-accumulation of body fat and is said to be a risk factor of chronic diseases. Guava leaf has a function to inactive a-amylase as an its inhibitor and to inhibit digestive absorption of lipid as hpase inhibitory effect. However, Guava leaf does not inhibit protease (5). Therefore, because of Guava leaf’s inhibitory activity of decomposition of starch to glucose, it inhibits absorption of glucose into body and inhibits conversion of glucose to body fat. It is believed that Guava leaf is effective for weight control and reducing body fat.
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