Abstract

The consumption of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, seeds and whole foods contributes to reduce the risk factors for chronic disorders such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure and dyslipidemia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the consumption of the pulp and seeds of guava (Psidium guajava) on the metabolic profile of Wistar rats. The animals were divided into a control group, G1, and two treatment groups: G2 – fed with guava pulp juice, and G3 – fed with rat food containing guava seeds. The duration of the treatment was 40 days. A significant reduction in glycemia and in the levels of triacylglycerides and total cholesterol, and augmented levels of High-density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-c) were observed in the animals fed with guava pulp juice and seeds. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzymes were also reduced. These findings indicate that the use of guava (Psidium guajava) pulp and seeds, the latter considered agroindustrial wastes, contribute significantly to the control of biochemical variables involved in the incidence of chronic degenerative disorders in the population.

Key words: Psidium guajava, glycemia, cholesterol, Wistar rats.