It’s officially lychee season and can be hard to resist, even more so as it has many benefits you may not be aware of. Lychee, or litchi, is a tropical fruit known for its sweet, juicy taste. Originating from China, it has a rough, reddish-pink skin with a succulent and translucent flesh. Lychee is rich in vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system. Vitamin C aids in producing collagen that is youthful and glowing. Additionally, it helps your body absorb, which is crucial for improving blood health and energy levels.
Not only that, lychee is also a great source of dietary fiber, which can work wonders for your digestive health. It also contains B-complex vitamins like thiamine, niacin, and folate. These vitamins boost your energy metabolism and overall well-being. Lychee also provides essential minerals like potassium and magnesium, which are vital for heart health. Lychee also packs tons of antioxidants, which include flavonoids and polyphenols. Its antioxidant content can help your body. This article will discuss the amazing litchi benefits for your health.
Table of Contents
Lychee – Nutritional Information
According to the USDA, 100 grams of lychee provides 66 calories, making it a low-calorie fruit. Additionally, litchi fruit also contains:
- Total fat 0.4g
- Sodium 1 mg
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Potassium 171mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 17g
- Dietary Fiber 1.3 g
- Sugar 15 g
- Protein 0.8g
- Vitamin C – 119% of the daily recommended value
- Vitamin B6 – 5% of the daily recommended value
- Magnesium – 2% of the daily recommended value
- Iron – 1% of the daily recommended value
Lychee is an abundant source of Vitamin C, a fruit that can have many beneficial effects on the body. It also contains magnesium and potassium, among other beneficial nutrients.
Lychee Benefits
Apart from its delicious and juicy taste, lychee offers numerous health benefits :
1. Improves immunity
Lychee can be a powerful ally for boosting your immunity. It is rich in vitamin C, a crucial antioxidant that helps strengthen your immune system and protects your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C also increases white blood cell production, which is essential for fighting infections. Moreover, it contains other immune-boosting agents, such as flavonoids, with anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties that can benefit your health. These compounds improve your body’s defense mechanism and can enhance your overall health. Including lychee in your diet can provide a natural and delicious way to boost your immune system.
2. Aids digestion
Lychee can improve digestion as it is rich in dietary fiber, which can help you regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. Moreover, lychee has a high water content, which keeps your digestive system well-hydrated, making it easier for your body to absorb nutrients. Lychee is also rich in various antioxidants, such as vitamin C and polyphenols, which can help reduce gut inflammation and support your digestive health. These antioxidants also fight oxidative stress and can prevent damage. Some enzymes in lychee also aid in breaking down food, enhancing the efficiency of the digestive process. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce gut inflammation and support a healthier gut.
3. Lowers cancer risk
Lychee is full of antioxidants, including polyphenols and flavonoids, which can help fight oxidative stress in your body. It prevents your body from being damaged by free radicals that can cause cancer. The anticancer properties in lychee are known to be most helpful in preventing lung and liver cancer. The bioactive compounds in lychee also lower inflammation, which helps reduce cancer risk. It inhibits the growth of cancer cells and can help you stay away from certain cancers. If that is not enough, lychee’s immunity-boosting properties also help prevent cancer.
4. Enhances bone health
Did you know a tropical fruit like lychee can also help strengthen your bones? Lychee contains phosphorus, magnesium, copper, potassium, and manganese, all of which can improve bone strength and structure. It is also loaded with Vitamin C, which can increase collagen production, improving your bone structure and strength. Moreover, it also has antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols, which can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in your body and support bone health.
5. Supports liver health
Lychee is not just a yummy treat but also beneficial in maintaining good liver health. It is rich in vitamins and minerals like potassium, Vitamin B and C, and antioxidants, which fight against oxidative stress. Studies also suggest lychee contains essential compounds to protect your liver from damage and improve its functions. Additionally, lychee can help detoxify your liver due to its high water content. It can also help prevent liver cancer by reducing oxidative stress and cleaning your liver.
6. Helps with weight loss
Lychee is low in calories and can be a great addition to your diet if you want to lose weight. Moreover, lychee consists mainly of water, which can help you stay full longer and maintain your hydration levels. The dietary fiber in lychee keeps you satiated and can beat hunger pangs or sweet cravings. It can help control your hunger and aid in weight loss. Remember that lychee alone cannot make you lose weight, but a well-balanced diet tailored to your needs can help with weight loss.
7. Supports skin health
Like some other fruits, lychee poses notable benefits for your skin health, making it a valuable addition to your skincare regimen. It’s full of antioxidants, including polyphenols and flavonoids, that can protect your skin from environmental damage and oxidative stress, which can improve your complexion. Lychee contains tons of Vitamin C, and it can help increase collagen production, which keeps your skin firmer and makes you look younger. Furthermore, as lychee boasts a high water content, it can hydrate and refresh your skin. While you should maintain a regular skincare routine, eating fresh fruits like lychee can also enhance your skin health. Apart from lychee, you can also try other fruits or organic foods that can make your skin glow.
8. Promotes hair growth
If you want long and flawless hair, adding lychee to your diet can be helpful. Lychee contains Vitamin C, which can increase collagen production and strengthen your hair. The abundance of Vitamin C in lychee also helps with iron absorption, which helps carry oxygen to the roots of your hair and contributes to healthy hair. As it majorly consists of water, lychee can also maintain hydration levels in your scalp and make your hair stronger. The rich nutritional profile of lychee is a plus if you want to improve your hair growth.
Side Effects Of Eating Lychee
Generally, lychee is a safe fruit and does not cause any problems when eaten in moderation. However, in some cases, it is better to be careful as there are some risks associated with this succulent fruit.
- Toxic seeds
Lychee seeds are not suitable for human consumption. In fact, they can be toxic for humans, so ensure that you do not ingest them.
- Lowers blood sugar
Apart from lowering your blood sugar, lychee contains Hypoglycin A and methylene cyclopropyl-glycine (MCPG), toxins that can inhibit the body’s production of glucose in your body, which can reduce blood sugars more than usual. Also, if you have diabetes, you should be careful when eating lychee.
- Risk of allergies
Some people may be allergic to lychee fruit and should avoid it completely.
- Drug interactions
Lychee can interact with a few medicinal drugs. If you take any medication, consult a doctor about eating lychee.
Conclusion
Originating from China, lychee is a tropical seasonal fruit enjoyed by many in Pakistan. It has a sweet, juicy taste with a rough, reddish-pink skin and succulent flesh. Lychee helps you strengthen your immune system, promotes collagen production, and improves blood health and energy levels by aiding iron absorption.
Lychee is also a great source of dietary fiber, and Vitamin B enhances metabolism and improves digestive health. Moreover, it contains potassium and magnesium, which help enhance heart health. Additionally, antioxidants help protect your body from oxidative stress and reduce inflammation, potentially lowering cancer risk. For those looking to lose weight, lychee is low in calories and high in water content, keeping you hydrated and satiated. Its nutritional profile, such as Vitamin B, supports skin health by increasing collagen production. On the other hand, its high water content keeps the skin hydrated and refreshed. Lychee also aids in collagen production and iron absorption, which keeps your scalp healthy and promotes hair growth.
However, you should be cautious with lychee consumption as it carries some risks. Diabetics should monitor their intake due to its natural sugar content. People with allergies or those on specific medications should consult a nutritionist before consuming lychee. Whether boosting your immune system, improving digestion, or enhancing skin and hair health, lychee can be a valuable addition to your diet.
