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Quince vs. Guava — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Article author photo Tatevik  Stepanyan by Tatevik Stepanyan | Last updated on March 11, 2024
Medically reviewed by Elen Khachatrian Article author photo Elen Khachatrian
Quince
vs
Guava

Summary

Although guava and quince have similar nutritional structures, they are radically different in the number of nutrients they contain. Guava is richer in fats, protein, and dietary fiber while being lower in sugars than quince.

Guava also contains almost 10 times more vitamins and around 2 times more minerals than quince, making guava nutritionally superior to quince.

Introduction

Quince is often incorporated into our daily lives as an extract, powder, or tea. It is often used as a compressor application for swollen and painful parts, injuries, and cuts. Its lotion is perfect for soothing eyes. This fruit is also available as juice, wine, jelly, jam, pudding, and other sweets.

Guava is a tropical fruit cultivated mainly in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico. The fruit, its juice, and leaves are often used as medicine. They are usually eaten raw, though they may be used in beverages, jams, and desserts.

Nutrition

Vitamins and Minerals

Guava has richer vitamin and mineral profiles than quince. It contains 15 times more vitamin A and vitamin C than quince, and it is also significantly richer in all B-group vitamins.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Quince
0
Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 50% 2.4% 0% 0% 5% 6.9% 3.8% 4.9% 9.2% 0% 0% 2.3% 0%
Guava
11
Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 761% 37% 15% 0% 17% 9.2% 20% 27% 25% 0% 6.5% 37% 4.1%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +1422%
Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A +1460%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +235%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +33.3%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +442%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +456.8%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 +175%
Contains more FolateFolate +1533.3%
~equal in Vitamin D ~0µg
~equal in Vitamin B12 ~0µg

For their mineral content, guava is more affluent in copper, potassium, and zinc, whereas quince is higher in iron.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Quince
1
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 5.7% 3.3% 17% 26% 43% 1.1% 7.3% 0.52% 0% 3.3%
Guava
8
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 16% 5.4% 37% 9.8% 77% 6.3% 17% 0.26% 20% 3.3%
Contains more IronIron +169.2%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +175%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +63.6%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +111.7%
Contains more CopperCopper +76.9%
Contains more ZincZinc +475%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +135.3%
Contains less SodiumSodium -50%
~equal in Selenium ~0.6µg

Micronutrients

Guava also contains more protein, polyunsaturated fats, and dietary fiber, while quince is higher in net carbs.

Both fruits are low in calories; however, guava contains slightly more calories.

Health Impact

Section reviewed by gastroenterologist Arpi Gasparyan Article author photo Arpi Gasparyan

These fruits have been part of the human diet since ancient times, and their health benefits have been known for centuries.

Quince is known for its effects on digestive disorders. Quince may decrease the risk of having stomach ulcers. Quince may beneficially affect nausea, constipation, and hemorrhoids, whereas quince leaves may help with diarrhea. It may also beneficially affect coughing and help heal cuts and injuries (1, 2, 3).

Guava has beneficial effects on diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. It also acts as a cough suppressant. It has protective functions against heart disease and cancer development (4).

Both these fruits are rich in antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which lowers inflammation and decreases the risks of multiple diseases. The guava leaf extract is anti-hyperglycemic and widely used in treating diabetes (5).

Cardiovascular health

Section reviewed by cardiologist Astghik Grigoryan Article author photo Astghik Grigoryan

Studies have shown that extracts from quince leaves at 320mg/kg doses have an antihypertensive effect similar to Captopril. Another study found that an aqueous-methanolic extract from quince seeds was most effective at 600mg/kg and prevented increased blood pressure (6).

Guava also has ACE inhibitory activity similar to antihypertensive drugs like Captopril and Perindopril and antioxidative properties, essential in reducing cardiovascular risk (7, 8).

The quince fruit is packed with quinic acid, shikimic derivatives, procyanidins, and flavonoids, which can help prevent atherosclerosis. Notably, the quince peel extract had the highest antioxidant activity (6).

According to this research, the extract obtained from quince leaves can regulate the levels of lipids in the blood, much like Atorvastatin. However, it did not show significant improvement in atherosclerosis caused by a high-fat diet. Therefore, reducing the intake of high-fat foods in your diet is recommended. 

Other studies also found that the aqueous extract of quince fruit and guava may significantly lower serum levels of TG (triglycerides) and LDL (“bad” cholesterol) while increasing the levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol) (6, 9).

Article author photo Tatevik  Stepanyan
Education: Food Blogger
Last updated: March 11, 2024
Medically reviewed by Elen Khachatrian

Infographic

Quince vs Guava infographic
Infographic link

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Quince
2
15% 84%
Protein: 0.4 g
Fats: 0.1 g
Carbs: 15.3 g
Water: 83.8 g
Other: 0.4 g
Guava
3
3% 14% 81%
Protein: 2.55 g
Fats: 0.95 g
Carbs: 14.32 g
Water: 80.8 g
Other: 1.38 g
Contains more ProteinProtein +537.5%
Contains more FatsFats +850%
Contains more OtherOther +245%
~equal in Carbs ~14.32g
~equal in Water ~80.8g

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Quince
1
10% 38% 52%
Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 0.01 g
Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 0.036 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.05 g
Guava
2
36% 11% 53%
Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 0.272 g
Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 0.087 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.401 g
Contains less Sat. FatSaturated Fat -96.3%
Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated Fat +141.7%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +702%

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Quince Guava
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in price ok
Rich in minerals ok
Rich in vitamins ok
Lower in Cholesterol Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Quince Guava Opinion
Calories 57kcal 68kcal Guava
Protein 0.4g 2.55g Guava
Fats 0.1g 0.95g Guava
Vitamin C 15mg 228.3mg Guava
Net carbs 13.4g 8.92g Quince
Carbs 15.3g 14.32g Quince
Magnesium 8mg 22mg Guava
Calcium 11mg 18mg Guava
Potassium 197mg 417mg Guava
Iron 0.7mg 0.26mg Quince
Sugar 8.92g Quince
Fiber 1.9g 5.4g Guava
Copper 0.13mg 0.23mg Guava
Zinc 0.04mg 0.23mg Guava
Phosphorus 17mg 40mg Guava
Sodium 4mg 2mg Guava
Vitamin A 40IU 624IU Guava
Vitamin A 2µg 31µg Guava
Vitamin E 0.73mg Guava
Manganese 0.15mg Guava
Selenium 0.6µg 0.6µg
Vitamin B1 0.02mg 0.067mg Guava
Vitamin B2 0.03mg 0.04mg Guava
Vitamin B3 0.2mg 1.084mg Guava
Vitamin B5 0.081mg 0.451mg Guava
Vitamin B6 0.04mg 0.11mg Guava
Vitamin K 2.6µg Guava
Folate 3µg 49µg Guava
Choline 7.6mg Guava
Saturated Fat 0.01g 0.272g Quince
Monounsaturated Fat 0.036g 0.087g Guava
Polyunsaturated fat 0.05g 0.401g Guava
Tryptophan 0.022mg Guava
Threonine 0.096mg Guava
Isoleucine 0.093mg Guava
Leucine 0.171mg Guava
Lysine 0.072mg Guava
Methionine 0.016mg Guava
Phenylalanine 0.006mg Guava
Valine 0.087mg Guava
Histidine 0.022mg Guava

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Quince Guava
Low Calories diet ok
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

People also compare

Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
6%
Quince
74%
Guava
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
11%
Quince
19%
Guava

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Sugar?
Quince
Quince is lower in Sugar (difference - 8.92g)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Quince
Quince is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.262g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Guava
Guava contains less Sodium (difference - 2mg)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Guava
Guava is lower in glycemic index (difference - 4)
Which food is cheaper?
Guava
Guava is cheaper (difference - $0.2)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Guava
Guava is relatively richer in minerals
Which food is richer in vitamins?
Guava
Guava is relatively richer in vitamins
Which food contains less Cholesterol?
?
The foods are relatively equal in Cholesterol (0 mg)

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Quince - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168163/nutrients
  2. Guava - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/173044/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.