Does Eating Guava Or Its Seed Cause Appendicitis

'Don't eat unripe guava or eat the seed,' warned mama. 'It can cause appendix', she continued. What she meant to say is that eating unripe guava or its seed can cause appendicitis. To her, appendix is the name of the disease called appendicitis.

She was not only the one with such theory. All my siblings grow up with the same belief maybe from her. It is also common among the community. As I grew older, I realised that this sentiment crosses many nations 'avoid guava and its seed to avoid appendicitis.'

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I don't blame anybody that accepts that idea. There is no confirmed cause of appendicitis. Even the use has been highly debated until recently the use was discovered. That left room for many theories.

What Is Appendicitis

Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a long narrow sac like tissue that protrudes from the proximal (upstream) end of the large intestine. It was once called vestigial organ because its use is not well known.

Functions Of Appendix

Research studies have shown that it is responsible for synthesis of endocrine cells around the early week of fetus development. It is also accepted that it boosts the immune system as it serves as lymphoid organ producing immunoglobulin antibodies and development of B-lymphoid cells. It also produces biomolecules that channel the movement of lymphocytes within the human body.

Guava Or Guava Seed And Of Appendicitis

Guava seed

However, scientists are trying hard to figure out what could be the cause. To do this, they analyse the content of some cases. The results have narrowed down the possible causes to some few. The obstruction of appendix lumen is the main cause of appendicitis. What can block the appendix lumen and cause acute appendicitis includes fecalith, lymphoid hyperplasia, seeds of fruits, etc. Is your favourite guava or guava seed among? Let us look at appendicitis a little.

Different theories have been postulated. One of which is the belief that guava or guava seeds cause appendicitis. These are based on what content is found in some appendix removed from those who had appendicitis (vasectomy).

Since the appendix is located on the lower part of the digestive tract, most of the contents will definitely be what goes into the mouth.

95 percent of substances taken orally that do not digest pass through the digestive system without any problem. Heavier substance locate the lower part of the cecum and can easily block the appendix lumen. And the lumen is not designed to discharge heavy substances into the cecum. This leads to accumulation and subsequent blockage and inflammation of the lumen.

The major thing in it is microorganisms. Some say the appendix stores good bacteria that is released when the body needs it. Blockage of the lumen of the appendix leads the bacteria to multiply and cause inflammation of the appendix. Guess you are not satisfied with this theory. Neither am I. So, let's continue with the other theories. Let us dig further.

Almost all appendixes removed from patients contain fecal matter in large quantities. It is believed that the fecal matter blocks the lumen. This causes the appendix to get inflammed. Others are metal needles, tooth sticks, tooth fills, short particles swallowed by eating animal meats as well as fruit seeds like guava seed.

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The body can remove some fruit seeds but not all. Fruits reported in appendix are seeds of vegetables and fruits such as cocoa, orange, melon, barley, oat, fig, grape, date, cumin and nut. Did you see guava or its seed there. No. Fruit reported in only 1 among all 1409 participants in one research. That place it in 0.07 percent. Another research place it at 0.05 percent. And fruit was not the only content of the appendix as they also contain faecal matters and other likely causes.

With the small number of appendixes with undigested fruits, can we say fruits like guava and its seed are the cause? Not at all. But I would suggest undigested fruit seeds like orange and unripe guava seed should be avoided and plants or fruits like ripe guava seeds should be chewed well.