Introduction: 

Lychee (Litchi chinensis) is a seasonal fruit widely cultivated in many countries. High nutritional value, attractive colour and delicious taste make this fruit a popular choice. Lychee has an oblong shape, bright red skin, and sweet and juicy pulp. Its pulp, the edible part, is packed with many nutrients and vitamins. Lychee is also used for various medicinal purposes. It has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. China is the largest producer of lychee and is also cultivated in other countries of Southeast Asia, like India, Thailand, and Vietnam.  

Lychee spoils quickly after its been harvested, so it is often processed and stored as dried fruits, juices, and wines, which effectively increase its shelf life. Lychee has the potential to be used in industries like food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and chemical industries.¹  

Nutritional Value of Lychee: 

The edible part of lychee fruit, the pulp, is loaded with nutrients. Lychee is a rich source of many nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. The nutritional value of lychee per 100g of serving is given below.  

Table 1: Nutritional value of lychee per 100 grams² 

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Therapeutic Uses of Lychee:  

Various lab studies and animal studies have found these therapeutic uses of lychee: 

• Antioxidant  
• Liver protective  
• Hypoglycaemic (Blood sugar lowering)  
• Hypolipidemic  
• Anti-obesity  
• Anticancer  
• Neuroprotective (protects the brain) 
• Hypotensive (reduces blood pressure) 
• Immunomodulatory (modulates the immune system) 
• Anti-atherosclerotic (reduces fat accumulation in blood vessels)¹ 

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Benefits of Lychee: 

The health benefits of lychee can be attributed to its nutrients like polyphenols and polysaccharides possess many health benefits.¹  

1. Benefits of lychee for the heart: 

Conditions like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis (build-up of fats in the blood vessels) are some common heart problems that plague people in their middle and old age. Eating lychee pulp might help relieve atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. The phenolic compounds in lychee pulp help reduce blood pressure by stopping an enzyme called angiotensin-converting enzyme 1. This enzyme is responsible for modulating blood pressure.¹  

Lychee pulp could also reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and enhance the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (good cholesterol) in animal studies.¹  

2. Benefits of lychee for the brain: 

Lychee might show brain-protective benefits. Lychee Seed Extract could prevent Alzheimer’s disease by preventing brain damage in an animal study. The saponin compounds in lychee seed extract could also improve cognitive functions and relieve brain damage. Lychee seed extract might help alleviate Alzheimer’s, but more studies are needed to verify the safety and toxicological aspects.¹  

3. Benefits of lychee for obesity:  

Lychee seed extract might be helpful in obesity. Obesity can also lead to high lipid levels in the blood and make you prone to other health risks. Lychee pulp extract can also help control obesity. The pancreatic lipase enzyme is an enzyme that helps digest fats. Stopping the pancreatic lipase enzyme may help with managing obesity. Lychee seed extract contains a protein that could hinder pancreatic lipase enzymes.¹  

4. Benefits of lychee for liver:  

The liver is an essential organ responsible for detoxification and regulation of metabolism of nutrients. Polyphenols present in lychee extract could reduce the extent of liver damage. Long term and excessive usage of alcohol can lead to the accumulation of fats. Polyphenols could also prevent alcoholic fatty liver disease, characterised by excessive accumulation of fats in the liver.¹  

5. Benefits of lychee for diabetes: 

Diabetes mellitus is characterised by high blood glucose levels. Lychee is a rich source of polyphenols. According to several studies, polyphenols might help manage diabetes. Polyphenols in lychee seed extract could also improve the symptoms like frequent urination, polydipsia (extreme thirst) and hyperphagia (constant sensation of hunger) by reducing blood sugar levels. Lychee seed extract regulates the metabolism of glucose.¹  

Lack of insulin in the blood or impaired insulin activity can also lead to diabetes mellitus. Lychee polyphenol compounds could improve insulin resistance and might help relieve diabetes.¹  

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6. Benefits of lychee for immunity: 

Immunity is an essential physiological function of the human body. It is our immunity that protects the body from pathogens and maintains overall health. Compounds like polysaccharides and flavonoids present in lychee have shown immunomodulatory benefits. Both dried as well fresh fruits of lychee could modify the functioning of the immune system.¹  

7. Benefits of lychee against oxidative stress:  

Excessive production of free radicals in the body can lead to conditions like atherosclerosis and cancer. Antioxidants can protect the body from free radicals and prevent the development of chronic diseases. Lychee contains polyphenols and polysaccharides in abundance. These compounds possess strong antioxidant activity, which can help prevent the damage caused by free radicals.¹ 

8. Benefits of lychee for cancer: 

Anticancer activity of lychee has been observed against several cancer cells. Components like polyphenols and polysaccharides might be responsible for this benefit. Polysaccharides present in fresh lychee pulp could stop the growth of cancer cells. Lychee pulp extract might help prevent the development of breast cancer cells. The anticancer benefit of lychee extract has been observed against lung cancer, liver cancer and prostate cancer cell lines.¹  

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How to Use Lychee: 

Lychee is sweet fruit; you can eat fresh fruits of lychee. It is also available in the form of juices, wines and dried fruits.¹  

Side Effects of Lychee: 

Too much lychee can lead to side effects in rare cases. Different people react differently to Some people may develop adverse reactions like 

• Skin itching 
• Swelling in the throat 
• Swelling of the lips 
• Urticaria (skin rash) 
• Loose motions¹  

If you notice any of these side effects, contact your doctor to get the necessary treatment.  

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Precautions to Take with Lychee: 

Precautions for pregnancy 

There is a lack of sufficient evidence to prove if there are any side effects of lychee if eaten during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant women should consult with their doctor before consuming lychee. 

Precautions for children: 

There is insufficient information on lychee consumption in infants. Therefore, usage of this fruit should be avoided in infants.  

Precautions for people on medication: 

Lychee may interact with certain medications. It is advised to avoid the consumption of lychee if you are taking medicines for any ailments.³   

Interactions of Lychee with Other Drugs: 

• Lychee is known to lower blood glucose levels. Therefore, people on drugs meant to lower blood sugar such as insulin, should exercise caution while eating lychee. 
• Taking lychee with certain drugs can increase the risk of bleeding. These drugs include aspirin, warfarin, heparin, clopidogrel, ibuprofen and naproxen. 
• Lychee can also interact with drugs like 
• Anticancer agents 
• Anti-inflammatory agents 
• Medications meant to treat heart diseases 
• Pain relievers 
• Drugs that modify the immune system,  
• Drugs that reduce the blood lipid levels³ 

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Frequently Asked Questions: 

What are the health benefits of eating lychee fruit?  

Lychee fruit has many health benefits. Consuming lychee is good for your heart, liver, and brain health. It is also effective against diseases like diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Its antioxidant activity can protect from free radical damage.¹  

Is lychee good for health? 

Lychee fruit is packed with many nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and fibre. Lychee also contains many vitamins and minerals.²Together these are extremely beneficial for health.   

What are the benefits of lychee for the heart? 

Lychee might prevent heart diseases like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis. Eating lychee can help you manage cholesterol levels in the body. It reduces bad cholesterol and enhances good cholesterol levels. Lychee offers many health benefits for the heart but 

If you are suffering from any heart condition, it is best to contact your healthcare provider and make well-informed choices.¹  

Does lychee cause any side effects? 

Lychee can cause allergic reactions in some people. These allergic reactions include itching and rash on the skin. Swelling of the lips and the throat and diarrhoea. If you notice any of these reactions after eating lychee, you need to contact your healthcare provider.¹  

Is lychee good for diabetes? 

Eating lychee might help you manage your blood sugar levels. Lychee can also help relieve symptoms of diabetes, like frequent urination, extreme thirst, and hunger. It could also reduce blood sugar levels.¹ If you are suffering from diabetes, you should consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes. It is best to make well-informed choices to prevent the condition from worsening. 

References:  

1. Zhao L, Wang K, Wang K, Zhu J, Hu Z. Nutrient components, health benefits, and safety of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.): A review. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. 2020 Jul 1;19(4):2139–63. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1541-4337.12590 

2. FoodData Central [Internet]. [cited 2022 May 26]. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169086/nutrients 

3. Kilari EK, Putta S. Biological and Phytopharmacological Descriptions of Litchi Chinensis. Pharmacognosy Reviews. 2016 Jan 1;10(19):60. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4791990/ 

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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