Often when we think of tropical fruits to liven up our entrees, fruit salads and cocktails, our minds jump to fruits like mango, pineapple and coconut. But what about the more exotic ones that you see at the grocery store, pick up to say that you’ve never had it before, but ultimately put back. These might include dragon fruit, starfruit and the star of today’s show, guavas.

Guavas come in many different types and sizes such as the cherry guava, strawberry guava and the apple guava, which is what would most commonly be regarded as the standard guava. Apple guavas are typically light green when ripe and have tons of hidden health benefits!

According to Healthline, incorporating guava into your diet can help to lower your blood sugar levels, boost heart health and relieve painful menstruation cramps!

Guavas are a great source of vitamin C, with a single guava containing around 126 mg. Due to the high levels of vitamin C, guavas are more than two times more beneficial to your immune system than oranges. The antioxidants in guavas can also help to improve the appearance of skin and help to prevent wrinkles. If you apply the guava leaf extract directly to your skin, it has been shown to help to treat acne by killing acne- causing bacteria, according to Healthline.

Some easy and delicious ways you can include more guava into your everyday routine is by swapping your strawberry jam for guava jam. You can also opt for a guava pastry the next time you’re craving something sweet. Pick up a guava pastry at local Gainesville spots like Flaco’s Cuban Bakery and Mi Apá Latin Café.