Health benefits of lychee and some notes when eating

Lychee contains many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, helps with weight loss, beautifies the skin, prevents cancer, is good for the kidneys and helps strengthen bones.

One of the outstanding health benefits of lychee is its anti-cancer effect. (Source: bepxua.vn)

Lychee, scientifically known as Litchi Chinensis, is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia and China.

Among the hundreds of superfoods touted, lychee is considered one of the best due to its rich content of vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Lychee is a round, juicy summer fruit with white flesh and a slightly pink outer skin. In addition to eating fresh lychees, you can also eat dried lychees and lychees preserved in syrup form.

In Chinese cuisine, lychees are used in fish and meat dishes. Furthermore, this seasonal fruit is a summer staple that can help keep you energized and hydrated.

In addition to protein and fat, lychee also contains fiber, vitamin C and micronutrients such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium...

Health benefits of lychee

Losing weight

Lychees contain fiber, antioxidants, and water. 100 grams of lychees contain only about 66 calories and a small amount of fat. Studies show that the fiber in lychees can help with weight loss.

In addition, eating lychees can regulate bowel movements and improve digestion. Lychees have a sweet, aromatic taste, making them a healthier alternative to sugary snacks.

Constipation is one of the obstacles in your weight loss journey. Lychee can help you deal with this problem thanks to its fiber content.

Moreover, you may feel more energetic after eating lychee, as this fruit has the ability to regulate blood pressure.

Remember that a person with enough energy will find it easier to exercise, promoting weight loss.

Good for the skin

Lychee juice is a rich source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, oligonol and polyphenols. These biochemicals are antioxidants that help fade dark spots and give you a clear, glowing skin.

Lychee extract can be used as an effective treatment for inflamed skin and acne. One study found that antioxidants in lychee can reduce the harmful effects of sunlight on the skin.

The body often starts releasing more free radicals as you age. These tend to cause wrinkles by damaging the skin. The antioxidants in lychees bind to these harmful free radicals and reduce their damaging effects.

Promote hair growth

Hair is constantly exposed to pollution or stress, which makes it weaker. When applied topically, lychee helps nourish hair follicles. A study found that copper peptides present in lychee lead to the expansion of hair follicles, promoting hair growth.

Additionally, the vitamin C in lychee can help supply more blood to the hair follicles, thus promoting hair growth.

Using lychee powder can also help restore shine to your hair. It can even help retain your natural hair color.

Prevent cataracts

Lychees contain phytochemicals (plant chemicals), which have anti-cancer properties, thereby helping to prevent abnormal cell growth and cataracts.

Most older adults are at risk for cataracts, a vision impairment caused by clouding of the eye's lens.

Research shows that the vitamin C content in lychees may reduce the risk of cataracts by reducing oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

Anti-cancer

One of the prominent health benefits of lychee is its anti-cancer effects.

Research shows that adding lychee extract, such as lychee juice, to your daily diet can help provide your body with powerful flavonoids and antioxidants.

In addition, they also have anti-cancer effects, especially against breast cancer.

Other phytochemicals like proanthocyanidins and polyphenols in lychee neutralize free radicals. As a result, they protect the body from the development of cancer.

Lychee seeds contribute to cancer treatment because they are rich in polyphenols, a plant-based compound with anti-cancer activity.

Good for kidneys

Lychee leaf extract mainly consists of strong anti-inflammatory properties that help dissolve kidney stones. It also promotes smooth bladder function and eliminates toxins.

A research review found that lychee leaves can also improve kidney function by reducing uric acid and creatinine levels. Furthermore, the polyphenolic compounds in lychee have kidney-protective properties.

Promotes stronger bones

Eating lychees helps improve bone health, as they are rich in iron, copper, manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium. These minerals increase calcium absorption in the bones, making them stronger and healthier.

Thus, eating lychee is beneficial for bone development in growing children.

What should you pay attention to when eating lychee?

May not be diabetic friendly

Lychees are high in sugar and have a glycemic index of 50. Typically, fruits with a glycemic index lower than 55 are digested slowly, allowing for a slow release of sugar into the bloodstream.

However, eating lychees right after a meal or before going to bed at night can increase your blood sugar levels. Therefore, diabetics should consume lychees in moderation.

Risk of allergy

Although uncommon, some people may be allergic to lychees. This reaction can occur within 15-20 minutes of eating lychees, when your immune system interprets proteins from the lychee as invaders.

Studies have shown that people who are allergic to lychee may develop skin rashes after coming into contact with lychee. Some common symptoms that occur due to an allergic reaction are redness, itching, shortness of breath, and swelling of the lips.

Hormonal imbalance

Lychees tend to upset your hormonal balance. So, consuming it in excessive amounts can cause symptoms of sore throat and fever. You can eat 8-10 lychees a day or drink a small cup of chopped lychees daily.

Not suitable to eat during pregnancy

Lychee may cause adverse health outcomes in pregnant women with diabetes. Due to its glycemic index, pregnant women should be cautious when consuming this tropical fruit.

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