In ancient China, lychee was the favored fruit in the imperial corridors finding its greatest fans among the Kings and Queens; who would get these beautiful fruits transported to capital at a significant cost to the Kingdom.
Lychee is a very nutritious fruit. It has a high water content and is full of energy. Lychee has a high level of vitamin C in it and meets about 86% of the body’s daily requirement of this vitamin.It contains 15.23 gms sugar and has a reasonable 1.3 gms of dietary fiber.Lychees are a valuable source of Polyphenols that make it a reliable and highly recommended antioxidant.
So, know the amazing health benefits of lychee that can make a lot of difference to your fitness in a tasty way.
1. Strengthens Immunity
Vitamin C is a water-soluble Vitamin which means that it is not stored in the body.
Lychee is an excellent source of Vitamin C and contains 71.5 mg per 100 g serving.
With a high amount of Vitamin C in it, lychee proves to be a good antioxidant that improves the immune function of our body.
Lychee increases immunity to protect against common diseases like a cough, cold and flu.
Vitamin C also strengthens the immune system to protect from day to day infections. It is highly recommended especially for young children who are highly vulnerable to infections and cold.
Vitamin C is also known to alleviate scurvy that is mainly caused by the Vitamin C deficiency.
This condition begins with symptoms like general lethargy, spongy and bleeding gums, spot formation on skin and bleeding in the mucous membrane. It is a serious condition that can prove to be fatal if not controlled in time.
2. Protection from Free Radicals
Lychee contains a good amount of antioxidant Vitamin C, Vitamin B-complex and phytonutrient flavonoids. These antioxidants and phytonutrient flavonoids are an important nutrient that makes lychee healthy.
Antioxidants are required to protect the body from oxidative stress.
High oxidative stress is caused due to pollution and UV radiation. This process creates free radicals from oxygen molecules.
These free radicals destroy normal cell DNA and change the function of cells to form cancer cells.
But antioxidants neutralize these free radicals and acts as a shield to protect cells from damage. So lychee protects from cancer and tumors.
3. The Blood Relation
Lychee is a rich source of nutrients that are required for the production and circulation of blood.
Hemoglobin in our blood transports oxygen throughout our body is made of Iron. Iron is what gives the red color to our blood that is a clear indication of the high content of iron and its importance in the blood.
4. Increase Metabolism
Lychee contains a good amount of fiber and Vitamin B-complex, which increase metabolism.
Metabolism is required to assimilate, absorb and throw the excess nutrition out of our bodies. It includes fats, proteins, sugar and carbohydrates.
People suffering from insulin resistance due to poor metabolism must consume food items like Lychee, that is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids.
Though due to its high sugar content, lychees are just not recommended for diabetics, but those who have a potential threat of this disorder can take advantage of the healthy metabolism encouraging qualities of this fruit.