Let Us Tell You How Lychee Can Make You Healthy

Lychees, the sweet tropical fruit with an ambrosia-like fragrant taste, are one of my favorites. Since they are in season I’ve been eating them a lot lately. So I wondered what if any were the health benefits of lychees? Turns out there are a lot and I wanted to share! If you’re thinking “Lych- WHAT?” or aren’t familiar with lychees (“lie-cheez”, sometimes spelled “litchi fruit”), you’re in for a big treat!

It’s lychee season right now, May through June so keep your eye out when you’re grocery shopping. An exotic fruit, Lychee is a member of soapberry family. Originating in China, Lychees are now grown throughout Southeast Asia and in other tropical locales. Fresh lychees are often found in US grocery stores, and even at Costco.

In China, the heart-shaped lychee fruits have traditionally been a symbol of love and romance. The fruits are about the size of a small walnut with a very thin, rough, red, bumpy skin. The skins can be easily peeled back with your fingernails. Inside, the delicious sweet fruit has the texture and consistency of a peeled grape. They also have a pit about the size of a date pit.

Lychees have been in the limelight recently. Thai and Vietnamese restaurants now serve them in fancy cocktails, and in lychee water, lychee ice creams and other desserts. But besides being an interesting looking and delicious tasting fruit, the health benefits of lychees are numerous, so let’s take a look here-

* Boosts immunity

According to news from The Health Site, litchi is rich in vitamin-C. Due to this, it is also a source of natural antioxidants. In this case, this element protects against infection by increasing immunity. Also reduces the effect of increasing age. This makes the skin shiny. Lychee is also used to prevent asthma.Both the fruit of litchi and its leaves help fight cancer. Due to its immunity, it helps in keeping the body away from diseases.

* Promotes weight loss

Litchi fruit contains fibre that can help in weight loss. Fibre keeps you full for longer resulting in less calorie consumption. The high water content of litchi also promotes weight loss.Due to the elements of oligonol, fibre and water in litchi, it helps in removing toxins from the body, thereby controlling weight. Besides, it also has the property of catharsis, whichhelps reduceweight.

* Good for your skin

This fruit has some beauty benefits too. Several properties of litchi can benefit your skin health. Vitamin C in litchi can boost skin health and prevent the signs of ageing. Antioxidants present in it can also help fight oxidative stress.The ripe litchi fruit is beneficial in avoiding the damage that the skin gets from the sun's ultraviolet rays, as it has cold and planting properties, which reduces the effect of ultraviolet rays from the skin.

* May help maintain healthy blood pressure

Potassium is popularly consumed to fight hypertension effectively. Adding litchi to your diet can provide you with potassium that can result in controlled blood pressure.

* High in Vitamins, Minerals, & Phytonutrients

According to the USDA’s website, the average lychee fruit weighs about 10 grams (without skin and seed.) 8 grams of that is water, with the rest containing about 6 calories.

Lychees are also packed full of nutrients like: copper, folate, manganese, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. In fact a handful of lychee fruits give you as much vitamin C as an orange, or about 85% of your daily requirement of vitamin C.

They are also an excellent source of fiber and protein, and a good source of phytonutrients including: antioxidants, flavonoids like quercetin, proanthocyanidins, and a host of polyphenolic compounds like rutin.

* Aiding Digestion

The high water content as well as the high fiber and pectin content found in lychees all aid in healthy digestion. These nutrients also help protect against constipation, colon cancer, and hemorrhoids as well. So enjoy these health benefits of lychees and eat up, so much more fun and tasty than prunes!

* Anti-inflammatory & Anti Cancer

With their high levels of vitamin C, flavonoids and antioxidants, lychees help to reduce inflammation, and protect against various types of cancers. Vitamin C is an important anti-inflammatory antioxidant, helping to eliminate oxidative stress from free radicals that can cause inflammation and cancer. In fact, studies by Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry at a University in Saudia Arabia confirm lychee to be a “useful medicinal and nutritional agent for treating a wide range of human disorders and ailments.”