What Is Litchi Good For?

Litchi, also known as Lychee, Leechee, Lichee, and Lich, is an exotic fruit with an intense red color, small size and sweet and sour taste. It is cultivated in many parts of the world, specifically in China, India, Pakistan, Australia and the Philippines.

This fruit is widely accepted thanks to its properties, in addition, its pleasant taste and exotic appearance. Litchi is used to treat and prevent various conditions, such as reducing sore throats, coughs, preventing cellular aging, among others.

Benefits of litchi

The lychee is a fruit that has many benefits both in the medicinal and aesthetic fields, all this thanks to its properties, minerals and vitamins, which make it an excellent option to improve health. Among the most important benefits that can be obtained by consuming this fruit on a regular basis are:

Favors digestion

Lychee favors digestion, since this fruit contains a large amount of soluble fiber, which favors the functioning of the digestive system, as well as improves intestinal transit. In addition, it helps to cleanse the intestine and colon of toxic compounds.

Helps prevent cancer

The high content of antioxidants and other flavonoid compounds is extremely useful to eliminate free radicals and thus prevent degenerative diseases such as cancer. That is why the consumption of this fruit is recommended to prevent this disease.

It favors the reduction of heart disease

Litchi contains a high percentage of polyphenols, which are components that promote heart health, since these are responsible for regulating blood pressure and as a side effect of this, the heart rate is improved. In addition, by consuming this fruit you can also prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as arrhythmia, heart failure, heart attacks and cardiomyopathy.

Maintains bone health

The phosphorus and magnesium content of lychee helps improve bone health, since these minerals can strengthen bones. On the other hand, the vitamin D content of this fruit increases the absorption of calcium, another factor that favors bone health.

Helps reduce bruising

This fruit contains FRLFE, a bioflavonoid that is known for its anti-inflammatory effect on the body, as it is responsible for reducing tissue damage caused by inflammatory diseases, as well as by too intense exercise routines.

Prevents skin aging

Lychee is a fruit rich in vitamin C, which has a wide variety of functions, including fighting the action of free radicals, which are responsible for premature aging of the skin. Therefore, regular consumption of lychee can help protect skin cells from minor damage.

Moisturizes the skin

This fruit contains niacin, also known as vitamin B3, it has a large number of relevant effects, including anti-inflammatory, however, it also has another extremely important quality, as it intervenes in moisturizing the skin, which is why consuming litchi it will be helpful for skin care.

Properties of litchi

Litchi is a fruit that contains many beneficial health properties, which make this fruit excellent for the body. Among the most important properties that litchi provides are:

• Antioxidants
• Astringents
• Anti-aging.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Anticancerígenas.
• Diuretics.

On the other hand, in addition to the large number of properties that it provides, it has many minerals and vitamins that provide health benefits, among its most outstanding nutrients are:

• Vitamin B3 (niacin).
• C vitamin.
• Vitamin D.
• Match.
• Magnesium.
• Polyphenols.
• Flavonoids.
• Fiber.

Ways to consume litchi to make the most of all its benefits

Litchi is a fruit that can be consumed in various ways, however, the most common way to do it is naturally and it has been shown that it is the most recommended way of ingesting it, because that way it is possible to obtain all its benefits.

On the other hand, there are also other methods that can be used to consume this fruit, among them are:

• Juices
• Shakes
• Salads
• Ice creams.
• Cocktails
• Sweet.
• Cakes
• Jams

Contraindications of litchi

Litchi is a fruit that provides innumerable health benefits, however, there are several cases in which its consumption is contraindicated, among them are:

People intolerant to its components

The consumption of lychee is contraindicated for those people who are intolerant to its components, therefore, if the individual is prone to react negatively to certain foods, it is recommended that you consult your specialist before starting to ingest the fruit.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women

Lychee has a certain caffeine content, therefore, women who are in the process of pregnancy, as well as those who are breastfeeding, should refrain from consuming this fruit in the form of tea, or directly.

People diagnosed with nervous disorders

As already mentioned above, this fruit has a considerable caffeine content in its composition, therefore, those who have been diagnosed with anxiety, as well as other nervous disorders, should avoid the consumption of litchi.

Side effects of litchi consumption

The consumption of this fruit rarely causes side effects, however, there are cases in which they could occur. Among the side effects that can be experienced when consuming this fruit are:

Metabolic encephalopathy due to hypoglycemia

In 2017 news was reported about fatal effects from the consumption of this fruit in India, however, various studies have concluded that such effects occurred due to the following:

Lychee has high concentrations of Hypoglycine A and Methylcyclopropylglycine compounds, these interrupt gluconeogenesis, as well as the oxidation of fatty acids in humans; causing hypoglycemic metabolic encephalopathy, a disorder that causes death within 20 hours of ingesting large amounts of this fruit.

Component allergies

There are cases in which people suffer from allergies to some of the components of the lychee, which is why it is recommended to know what are the components found in the fruit. In addition, it is also necessary to consult a specialist in advance, in order to ensure whether it is prudent to consume it. Side effects from allergic reactions are generally accompanied by symptoms such as:

• Threw up.
• Swelling.
• Eruptions
• Redness of the skin.
• Itch.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Among others.

Is the consumption of litchi really recommended?

In general, the consumption of this fruit is highly recommended, since it contains great properties and health benefits, being a fruit not only used medicinally, but also aesthetically, since it provides great benefits in this area.

Therefore, the main recommendations are to avoid its consumption in contraindicated people and be attentive to the components of the fruit, in order to enjoy the excellent benefits in terms of properties, vitamins and minerals, that this fruit provides for health.

In addition, the consumption of this fruit must be complemented with good nutrition, as well as correct resting habits and daily exercise routines, in this way the individual can experience the benefits more quickly.