24 Major Benefits of Lychee
Lychee or Litchi is the delicious fruit that grows on the fruit tree of the same name. It is the sole member of genus Litchi in the soapberry family. They are native to China but are now cultivated in many regions of the world. Being a good source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, flavonoids, etc., they provide many health and beauty benefits.
Health Benefits of Lychee
Following are the major health benefits of lychee.
(1) Good For Digestive System
Lychee is good for our digestive system as they stimulate the secretion of gastric and digestive juices, and increases the absorption of nutrients.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in lychee protect our digestive system from free radical damage and minimizes the risk of colon cancer, abdominal cancer, pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, and stomach cancer, etc.
The laxative properties of dietary fibers in lychee improve bowel movement, aids in stool elimination, and thus relieve constipation and other gastrointestinal issues like abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating and flatulence, etc.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium, and folate, etc also improves our digestive health.
(2) Wonderful Immunity Booster
Lychees are good for the immune system, the defense mechanism of the body that prevents and treats various microbial infections, diseases, and as well as injuries, and wounds.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in lychee protect our immune cells or the white blood cells from free radical damage and thus strengthens our immune system.
Vitamin C enhances the production of white blood cells, and further strengthens our immunity.
With stronger immunity, our risk of getting a cough, cold, fever, and flu diminishes significantly.
Because of their antimicrobial properties, lychees also reduces the risk of several bacterial, viral and fungal infections.
Other nutrients like zinc, potassium, magnesium, iron, and folate, etc in lychee also contribute to better immune health.
(3) Provides Anti-Cancer Benefits
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in lychee protect our cells and tissues from free radical damage and minimizes the risk of several cancers like colon cancer, abdominal cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, etc.
The proanthocyanidins compound in lychee have strong anti-cancer properties and reduces the risk of several cancers.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from the neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
(4) Provides Anti-viral Benefits
Lychees are anti-viral and minimize the risk of several viral infections.
“Lithcitannin A2”, a proanthocyanidin compound in lychee prevents the spread and outbreak of various viruses, including herpes simplex virus and coxsackievirus.
“Oligonol”, a phenolic compound in lychee inhibits the influenza virus from multiplying, and thus combat influenza.
(5) Controls Hypertension
The vasodilating properties of potassium in lychees relax our blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and thus provides relief from high blood pressure or hypertension.
Hypertension is a silent killer that affects millions of people around the world and gives rise to various health problems like severe headaches, nose bleed, chest pain, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, difficulty in breathing, vision problems, and blood in urine, etc.
Zinc and magnesium in lychee also aid in regulating high blood pressure.
“Oligonol”, a phenolic compound in lychee promotes the production of Nitric Oxide, a vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels.
Eat lychees in moderation as higher potassium levels may drop the blood pressure to an abnormally low level giving rise to symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, nausea, dehydration, lack of concentration, blurred vision, and pale skin, etc.
If you are already on blood pressure medication, then consume lychee after having a word with your doctor to avoid the risk of food-drug intolerance.
(6) Improves Blood Circulation
Lychees improve blood circulation in the body because of the abundance of nutrients in them.
Iron in lychee ensures that cells in our body get oxygenated blood.
Copper increases the formation of red blood cells, and boost blood circulation.
Potassium relaxes blood vessels and improves blood circulation.
Vitamin C and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids in lychee protect the blood cells, blood vessels, and capillaries, etc from free radical damage.
Other nutrients like magnesium, manganese, and folate, etc also play a significant role in improving blood circulation in the body.
(7) Aids In Managing Cholesterol
Dietary fibers in lychee reduce LDL cholesterol in the body and minimize the risk of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a condition that leads to hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits in the arterial walls and is a leading cause of several cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.
(8) Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Lychee is good for our heart health.
They contain antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc that protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.
Dietary fibers in lychee minimize the risk of atherosclerosis, a leading cause of several cardiovascular problems.
Potassium in it regulates high blood pressure or hypertension and reduces the risk of several cardiovascular and other health problems.
“Oligonol”, a phenolic compound in lychee promotes the production of Nitric oxide (NO), a vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels and improves cardiovascular health.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium, manganese, and copper, etc in lychee also contribute to our cardiovascular health.
(9) Promotes Ocular Health
Lychees promote ocular health because of their rich nutritious profile.
Vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in lychee protects our eyes from free radical damage and thus minimizes the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma, etc.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for the eyes as it improves vision, prevents eye dryness, and minimizes the risk of night-blindness.
(10) Aids In Weight Loss
Because of its low calorific value of 66 calories per 100 grams, lychees are beneficial for weight loss.
Dietary fibers in lychee provide stomach satiety, controls our urge to eat again and again, and thus controls overeating which is a prime cause of obesity.
Lychees contain about 82 percent water, which contributes to weight management as it reduces calorie overload, controls overeating, improves digestion, and increases absorption of nutrients.
(11) Strengthen Blood Vessels
Rutin, a bioflavonoid in lychee strengthens our blood vessels and minimizes the risk of varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and bruising.
(12) Provides Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Anti-inflammatory compounds like vitamin C and quercetin in the lychee reduce pain and inflammation caused by inflammatory diseases like arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatoid, gouts, asthma and bronchial asthma, etc.
It also relieves inflammation and tissue damage caused by high-intensity exercise and training.
(13) Improve Mitochondrial Health
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids in lychee protects our cells from free radical damage.
This aids in maintaining the mitochondrial health of the cells.
Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cells, and keeping them healthy is important for our cellular health.
(14) Promotes Neurological Health
Lychee is good for the brain.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc it protects our brain cells or the neurons from free radical damage, and thus minimizes the risk of various neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amnesia, and dementia, etc.
Other nutrients like iron, potassium, zinc, iron, and magnesium, etc in the lychee also contribute to neurological health as they provide several cognitive benefits like a sharper memory, better focus, improved concentration, and reduced mental confusion, etc.
Beauty Benefits Of Lychee For Skin
Following are the major beauty benefits of lychee for the skin.
(1) Provides Anti-Aging Benefits
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in lychee protects our skin cells from the free radical damage, and keep various signs of premature aging like fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, dark spots, and skin blemishes, etc at bay.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from the neighboring molecules, and in doing so they cause oxidative damage to them.
Vitamin C enhances the production of collagen, an amino acid that maintains skin elasticity and prevents wrinkles and saggy skin.
Lychee can also be used topically for anti-aging benefits.
For this, mash 4-5 deseeded and peeled lychees, and a quarter ripe banana together to form a paste.
Apply it on the face and after 15 minutes rinse off with cold water.
Regular use makes our skin healthy and minimizes signs of premature aging like fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and dark spots, etc.
(2) Help Remove Skin Blemishes
Because of their antioxidantal properties, lychees are useful in getting rid of skin blemishes.
Consuming lychees as fruit or juice as well as topical application of lychee paste helps to minimize skin blemishes and marks.
For this, mash 4-5 peeled and deseeded lychees to form a paste. Using cotton balls, apply the paste to the affected skin areas.
After 15 minutes, wipe off the affected areas with a clean cloth soaked in cold water.
(4) Good For Skin
Essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and polyphenols, etc. in lychee are good for our skin.
Thiamine in lychee prevents skin dryness and reduces acne risk.
Copper in it promotes the synthesis and stabilization of skin proteins, and aids in healing damaged skin cells.
Niacin and the abundance of water in lychee hydrate our skin.
Nutrients in the lychee nourish our skin and make it soft, supple, and radiant.
Antioxidants like vitamin C and other relevant compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols protect the skin from free radical damage and provide anti-aging benefits.
(5) Hydrates Skin
Lychee contains about 82 percent water. Water plays an important role in maintaining skin health as it smoothens our skin and prevents skin dryness.
Water in lychee hydrates our skin, and the nutrients in lychee nourish our skin and improve skin health.
Eating lychees or drinking lychee juice replenishes the lost fluids and nutrients.
(6) Aids In Treating Acne
Acne is a common skin problem that affects millions of people around the world and is mainly caused by the accumulation of toxins, pollutants, dirt, impurities, and other unwanted substance within the skin pores.
The dietary fibers in lychee eliminate toxins, pollutants, and other impurities from our system.
When there are fewer toxins, they are less likely to accumulate in skin pores, and thus minimizes the risk of acne and pimples.
Dietary fibers also control the secretion of excess oil from skin glands and prevent acne from worsening.
Lychees can also be used topically for acne treatment.
Applying freshly squeezed lychee juice to the affected area provide relief from acne.
Or, you can blend some milk, yogurt, and crushed lychee seeds in a blender to make a smooth paste.
Apply it on the affected skin areas and after 20 minutes wash off with cold water.
Regular use treats acne and improves skin health.
(7) Protection From Harmful UV Rays
Prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays may damage the skin and give rise to wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis, and solar elastosis.
Vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, flavonoids, etc in the lychee protect our skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays and minimizes the risk of skin cancer.
Topical application of raw lychee helps in treating skin burn and suntan etc.
Beauty Benefits Of Lychee For Hair
Some major beauty benefits of lychee for hair are as follows.
(1) Promote Hair Growth
Essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, etc in lychee nourish our hair follicles and scalp and keep them healthy.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other relevant compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage and improves scalp health.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, folate, and potassium in lychee improve blood circulation in the scalp, nourishes our hair follicles and scalp, and promote the growth of new hair follicles.
The topical application of lychee juice also helps.
For promoting hair growth, Extract the juice of 7-8 lychees and mix two tablespoons of aloe vera gel to make a paste.
Massage this paste on the scalp, and after 60 minutes wash off with a mild shampoo.
(2) Make Hair Strong And Lustrous
Lychees make our hair strong and lustrous because of the essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, etc in them.
These nutrients nourish our hair follicles and scalp and make them healthy.
Antioxidants like vitamin C and other relevant compounds protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage.
Consuming as well as topical application of lychees help in bringing shine to the hair.
For this, mash 8 to 10 freshly peeled deseeded lychees, and apply the pulp on hair.
After 15 minutes, wash off with water.
Regular use strengthens hair and adds a natural shine to them.
(3) Prevents Scalp Infections
The topical application of lychee is very beneficial for our hair and scalp, as it improves the circulation of blood and oxygen in our hair follicles.
Proper supply of oxygen and blood to our hair follicles ensures that our hair stay strong and healthy, and it also minimizes the risk of various scalp infection.
The antimicroÍbial properties of lychee protect the scalp from various bacterial and fungal infections.
Lychee moisturizes our hair follicles and scalp and prevents dryness of the scalp.
Dietary fibers in lychee eliminate toxins, pollutants, and other impurities from our system, and prevent these from getting clogged up in the pores of scalp.
This minimizes the risk of scalp acne.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about the topic and is not be taken as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice, treatment, and/or diagnosis. Always consult with your doctor before trying out any of the remedies/recipes suggested in the blog post.
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