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The Amazing Benefits of Lychees for Health and Beauty

The luscious lychee fruit, a close relative of rambutan and longan, originates from southern China. This beloved summer treat is not just a delicious delicacy but also a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins and minerals that promote overall health and nourish your skin.

Administrator

6 August, 2024

Nutritional Value

Native to tropical regions, lychees are enveloped in a tough, pink-hued shell, revealing white flesh and a dark center.

Composed of 82% water and 16.5% carbon, with the remainder consisting of sugars and fiber, lychees also pack a punch when it comes to vitamins and minerals. They are an excellent source of vitamins C, B, E, and K, as well as copper, potassium, and powerful antioxidants.

Health Benefits

Epicatechin-Rutin: This dynamic duo works to bolster cardiovascular health, hinder cancer cell growth, and ward off cancer.

Potassium: Regulates and maintains healthy blood pressure.

Fiber: Aids in weight loss endeavors.

Vitamins C and B6: These vital vitamins contribute to red blood cell regeneration, possess anti-inflammatory properties, and boost the immune system. Additionally, they nurture your skin from within, bestowing a radiant, acne-free complexion.

Flavonoids: Act as a natural pain reliever and safeguard the body’s tissues from harm.

Traditional Remedies

Stomachaches and Nausea: Consume 6-8g of roasted lychee seeds, twice daily.

Gastric Issues: Blend 3g of dried and ground lychee seeds with 2g of ground saussurea, and wash it down with water, thrice a day, post meals.

Hernia and Inflamed Testicles: Combine lychee seeds, roasted fennel, Chinese star anise, and bitter orange seeds in a 1:1:1:1 ratio, and grind into a fine powder. Dissolve 6-8g of this mixture in water, and drink thrice daily. Alternatively, burn lychee seeds to a charcoal-like residue, and mix 4-6g of this ash with wine, to be consumed during mealtimes.

Toothaches and Gum Inflammation: Munch on unripe lychees dipped in salt.

Precautions

It is advisable to drink water or loquat juice or consume lychees after meals to counteract their heating effects.

Soak lychees in salted water and rinse them thoroughly before indulging. Nutritionists recommend limiting your lychee intake to a maximum of 10 fruits per day, with children consuming no more than 3-4.

When peeling lychees, you’ll encounter a bitter, white membrane; including this in your consumption helps prevent internal heat buildup.

Individuals with diabetes, pregnant women who are overweight, those with phlegmy throats, and individuals with ‘hot’ constitutions should refrain from overindulging in lychees.

As Saigon ushers in lychee season, you can easily procure these delights from local shops. Apart from fresh lychees, consider incorporating dried lychees, lychee wine, and other derivatives into your diet for a wholesome boost.

Frequently asked questions

Lychees are a good source of nutrients and offer various health benefits. They are rich in antioxidants, especially polyphenols, which help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall health. Lychees also contain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, copper, and folate, which boost immunity, support bone health, and promote healthy skin and hair.

The vitamin C and antioxidants in lychees contribute to healthy skin by boosting collagen production, protecting against free radical damage, and enhancing skin elasticity. Regular consumption of lychees can also improve hair health, as the vitamin C aids in iron absorption, ensuring sufficient oxygen and nutrient delivery to hair follicles, promoting hair growth, and preventing hair loss.

Yes, lychees can be a part of a weight loss diet. They are low in calories and have a good amount of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, promotes a feeling of fullness, and helps control appetite, thus supporting weight management.

Lychees contain compounds that have cardioprotective properties. The polyphenols and flavonoids in lychees help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels, improving blood vessel function, and reducing the formation of plaque in the arteries.

Yes, lychees are beneficial for digestion. They contain dietary fiber, which promotes regular bowel movements and a healthy gut. The high water content in lychees also contributes to hydration and digestive health.