Lychee is a perennial plant and it has the same name as the fruit it produces. Lychee is native to southern China; however, it is also grown in various other tropical regions of the world. China and India are the two largest and most popular producers of lychees in the world.
Lychees are sometimes added to recipes to add more flavor, and these fruits are eaten in many different ways. Here are some health benefits of lychee that you can enjoy while you gorge on this sweet delight.
1. Aid weight loss
Lychee is quite low in calories, 100 grams contains only 66 calories. It contains no saturated fats or cholesterol and is rich in dietary fiber, thus making it an ideal option for those who are trying to shed some pounds.
2. Improve digestion
Lychee have significant amount of water content and fiber, which has a soothing effect on the stomach. The fibre regulates the bowel movement by ensuring its smooth passage through the digestive tract. It also adds bulk to the stool and increases your digestive health.
3. Better immunity
Lychee proves to be a good antioxidant as it contains a high amount of Vitamin C that improves the immune function of the body.
4. Anti-inflammatory agent
Lychee contains good amounts of flavanol, which is known to treat inflammation and tissue damage caused by inflammation.
5. For stronger bones
Lychee is loaded with essential nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese and copper. These minerals are known to increase calcium absorption in the bones and improve the health of the bones.
6. Regulate blood pressure
Lychee carry balanced potassium and sodium levels, which help the blood vessels to relax and maintain proper blood pressure.
7. Help remove blemishes
Lychee is an outstanding source of vitamin C and acts as a potent cure for blemishes. Applying litchi juice can help fade away the blemishes and marks, leaving you with a clear and flawless skin.
8. Promote hair growth
Lychee is an excellent source of copper and Vitamin C, which help in stimulating good blood supply to the hair follicles, thus promoting hair growth.
9. Anti-cancerous
The different phyto-chemical substances such as flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamin C and proanthocyanides found in lychee, help in neutralizing the growth of free radicals and protect the body from various diseases and afflictions.
10. Promote cardiovascular health
According to several researches, lychees are loaded with antioxidants which help in promoting cardiovascular health.
While lychee as fresh fruit has many benefits, overconsumption of lychee can also pose various disadvantages. Read on to discover the dangers of lychees.
Lychees must be consumed less by diabetic patients due to the high amount of sugar present in them. According to both Eastern and Western health professionals, diabetic patients should limit their consumption of lychee to only six or fewer lychees at a time.
An individual scheduled for surgery must stop using lychee extract as early as two weeks before the date of their operation. Studies suggest that lychee tea is capable of increasing the symptoms of certain autoimmune diseases. Some people can also develop allergies to lychees and thus suffer from an allergic reaction upon consumption of the fruit.
