12 Amazing Health Benefits of Lychee

Lychee, or litchi, is a tropical fruit that has a rough, dark pink, leathery peel with a jiggly pulp inside. It is native to China and Southeast Asia., and is often known for its flowery flavour. This fruit is usually eaten alone or made into juices, smoothies, wine, and even ice creams. 
Lychee is sweet and sometimes sour, with a mesmerizing taste. More importantly, it offers various essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Thus, lychee is good for health - both physical and gut health. Hence, adding it to your daily diet can be a healthy choice.

In this blog, we will learn all about the health benefits of lychee and its nutritional value. 

Nutritional Value of Lychee

Lychee is mainly composed of water (82%) and carbs (16.5%). Here are some nutritional value of lychee (100 grams per serving) -

• Fat - 0.4 grams
• Carbs - 16.5 grams 
• Fibre - 1.3 grams 
• Proteins - 0.8 grams 
• Sugar - 15.2 grams
• Calories - 66 

Ref. Now that we know the nutritional value of lychee, let us dive into some health benefits of eating litchi. 

12 Health Benefits of Lychee

Lychee contains many healthy minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants such as rutin, epicatechin, vitamin C, copper, potassium, etc. These vitamins and minerals, along with antioxidants, help protect against cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Here are 12 advantages of litchi fruit -

There are several lychee fruit benefits. Some of them are mentioned below -

1. Aids Digestion: Litchi fruits are advantageous to those who have digestion issues - one of the most prominent health benefits of litchi fruit. Drinking one glass of litchi juice can be very beneficial, as it is said to reduce symptoms of discomfort. The fibre content in litchi adds volume to the stool, which helps in smooth bowel movement. Thus preventing constipation. In addition, it triggers the production of enzymes, ensuring more efficient absorption of nutrients. 
2. Helps in Weight Loss: Litchi is a great source of fibre, which helps in weight management. Also, litchi is high in water content with minimal fat and calories. It makes it an ideal fruit to include in a weight loss journey. 
3. Increase Bone Strength: One of the most prominent benefits of eating litchi is - it strengthens the bone. This is because litchi is loaded with iron, copper, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, etc. These minerals increase calcium absorption and enhance bone strength. Thus reducing bone fragility. 
4. Improves Blood Circulation: Copper, which can be found in litchi, is as vital as iron in the human body. Eating litchi increases red blood cell production due to its copper content. It is great for older people, as it helps in proper blood circulation. 
5. Skincare Benefits: Lychee fruit health benefits include - fighting free radicals that damage the skin, leading to the appearance of wrinkles, blemishes, fine lines, and other signs of ageing. Also, the presence of Vitamin E in litchi aids in sunburns that might cause irritation, pain, and skin damage. Thus keeping the skin healthy and glowing. 
6. Monitors Blood Pressure: Litchi fruit benefits also include managing high blood pressure. It has a decent amount of potassium and low sodium, which maintains the body fluid, which is essential for metabolic function and hypertension. It also manages cardiovascular stress, which helps in easy blood flow through the arteries. 
7. Enhances Immunity: The Vitamin C content in litchi makes it a great fruit for managing immunity. One glass of litchi (7 lychees) fulfils 100% of the vitamin C requirements. Thus protecting the body from any foreign materials - other known advantages of litchi fruit. 
8. Healthy Ageing: Among other benefits of eating litchi is - it slows down ageing. The Vitamin C found in litchi protects against the adverse effects of free radicals. Thus counteracting the premature signs of ageing and slowing down the ageing process. 
9. Improves Liver Health: The polyphenols present in litchi might reduce liver damage and might also prevent alcoholic fatty liver disease - in which consuming too much alcohol can lead to the accumulation of fats in the liver. 
10. Best for Diabetes: As litchi is a rich source of polyphenols, it is said that according to the studies, polyphenols help in managing diabetes. In addition, the polyphenols in lychee seed extract might also improve symptoms like - frequent urination, extreme thirst, and constant hunger. So, the benefits of eating lychee are - it can improve insulin resistance and might have a positive impact on diabetes. But, it is always advisable to see a doctor before incorporating any fruits or vegetables into the diet. 
11. Fights Oxidative Stress: The antioxidant present in lychee is good for health. It helps in fighting free radicals in the body, which usually leads to chronic conditions like atherosclerosis. Litchi has an abundance of polysaccharides, and polyphenols have antioxidants that prevent several conditions, including cancer. 
12. Reduces the Probability of Cancer: Lychee contains components like - polyphenols and polysaccharides, which might be responsible for reducing the chances of cancer. Polysaccharides present in lychee pulps have the potential to stop the growth of cancer cells. Studies have also found that lychee helps in protecting against liver, lung, and prostate cancer. Many studies have also found that lychee extracts can help with breast cancers. Though there are numerous studies around lychee fruit benefits in preventing cancer, a person must always first see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and care.

Conclusion

There are many benefits of lychee fruit. You can find fresh lychees in some grocery stores nearby - fresh and frozen. There are many lychee fruit uses - you can make fresh cocktails, fruit salads (mixed with other fruits), etc., to include it in your diet.