Guava and Chicken Breast Soup

Why people make this soup

Guava is not the most obvious choice for a savoury soup, but in traditional food therapy, guava — with its notably astringent, less-sweet flesh and its medicinal leaves — has long been associated with supporting healthy blood sugar levels. Both the fruit flesh and the leaf are used: the leaves can be steeped as tea, and the fruit can be simmered with lean meat for a light, gentle broth. As Bro Niu explains, fruits with a sour or astringent quality — oil olive (you gan zi), guava, hawthorn, plum — are better choices for people managing diabetes than very sweet fruits like honeydew, persimmon, banana, or longan. Paired with chicken breast for protein and a couple of ginger slices for warmth, this soup is easy to prepare and very mild in flavour.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for those managing diabetes as a dietary complement — particularly those looking for a low-sugar soup option
• Also suitable for those with borderline blood sugar or elevated blood lipids, as an everyday supportive food
• Can be enjoyed by the whole family; the chicken breast and guava combination is light and easy to digest
• Diabetes is a serious condition — follow your doctor’s dietary guidelines and medication plan; this soup does not replace medical treatment
• If taking diabetes medication, Bro Niu advises waiting at least 1 hour after medication before drinking any herbal tea or soup

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Guava (fan shi liu): Both the fruit flesh and leaves are traditionally associated with blood sugar regulation; the fruit has an astringent quality that distinguishes it from the very sweet fruits that are discouraged for diabetics; modern research has noted guava’s active compounds and their effect on glucose metabolism, though this soup should be seen as a dietary complement only
• Chicken breast: A lean protein source; lower in fat than dark meat; traditionally considered a neutral, easily digested meat
• Fresh ginger: Adds warmth and rounds out digestion; prevents the soup from being too bland

Ingredients (2 bowls / 1–2 servings)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Guava	1–2 fruits	Rinse well; cut into chunks; no need to peel
Chicken breast	150 g (4 liang)	Rinsed and sliced
Fresh ginger	2 slices	—
Water	5 bowls (~1 L)	Reduce to 2 bowls

Method

1. Wash the guava and cut into large chunks.
2. Rinse the chicken breast and slice into pieces.
3. Place all ingredients into a pot with 5 bowls of water.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer for about 45 minutes until the liquid reduces to roughly 2 bowls.
5. Drink the soup and eat the chicken and guava as well.

Bro Niu’s tips

Ready-made guava leaf tea bags are available in some herbal medicine or health shops — they can be a convenient everyday option for blood sugar support (Bro Niu mentions a commercial version called “Di Tang” made primarily from guava leaves). If you can find fresh guava leaves, about 10 leaves washed, sliced, and steeped in hot water for 5 minutes makes a simple tea. For those without diabetes, guava and chicken broth is simply a tasty, light soup that anyone can enjoy.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (mei mei, 2013): My fasting blood glucose was 5.9, and after a glucose drink, it reached 9.8 two hours later. The doctor says I don’t have diabetes yet, but I’m worried. Is there a tea or soup I can take? Bro Niu: You can try a soup with fresh Chinese yam (huai shan), goji berries, fresh corn (on the cob), and black wood ear mushrooms, simmered with lean pork — good for gentle blood sugar regulation. Alternatively, oil olive (you gan zi) dried, guava dried, or bitter melon (ku gua) dried can each be steeped as a tea for daily drinking. All are gentle and safe for long-term use without side effects.

• Q (Yau Yau, 2013): My husband has diabetes and high cholesterol and feels very tired all the time. What soups can help? Bro Niu: Diabetes is very hard to resolve completely — but with strict diet control (less sweet, less fatty, more vegetables, moderate protein) people with diabetes can live normally. From the dried goods shop, buy dried oil olive or dried guava and steep a small handful as daily tea; this can effectively help support cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

• Q (reader, 2015): Can someone with diabetes drink pear water? Bro Niu: Yes, pear water without added sugar is fine for diabetics.

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Published October 24, 2012 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.