Lychee: Health Benefits

The lychee, or “litchi,” is a delicious exotic fruit popular throughout China and other Asian countries. With a thin, bumpy pink peel and a pearly white flesh, the fruit has a delicately milky and sweet taste. However, the lychee also has a multitude of proven health benefits. The fruit contains very low levels of potentially harmful compounds such as unsaturated fats, and with its delicious taste, it is a safe and healthy snack. But what else can it do?

First off, the lychee has high levels of vitamin C, an excellent health benefit it provides—over 72 mg per 100 grams of lychee, and the daily requirement for humans is only 100 mg. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a powerful antioxidant that keeps your body in balance. Vitamin C is essential to healthy living but also gives your immune system an extra boost, helping fight off harmful chemicals such as foreign pathogens and free radicals, which can cause cancer. A study published in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology showed that with its high levels of antioxidants, consumption of the lychee fruit could reduce the formation and progression of breast cancer, a problem that is becoming increasingly important in modern society.

The lychee also contains good amounts of essential minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium—each serving of lychee contains at least 10 mg of magnesium, 31 mg of phosphorus, and 5 mg of calcium. These three minerals are necessary for bone growth, so lychee can be an excellent snack for growing children. However, if you are past the stage of growth, these three minerals can also help you maintain and replenish bone health.

Lychee is just a great fruit overall if you’re looking to feel better about yourself and your body. As a mild digestive and diuretic, some lychee after each meal can aid your digestive processes and lead to a more balanced and better you. As a rich source of fiber and carbohydrates, a serving of lychee can help regulate your digestive system and give you a healthy boost of energy, leaving you feeling awake and ready for whatever may come. As a juicy and delicious fruit as well, eating a serving of lychee anytime in your day will result in a happier and healthier person.