Health Benefits of Lychee - Nutritional Value of Lychee

Lychee is a juicy fruit belonging to the soapberry family. It is a tropical fruit tree, widely found in southern China, southern Taiwan, northern Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines; the fruit is also considered as a symbol of romance and love. India also has lychee as a seasonal summer fruit. The fruit grows on an evergreen tree, with pinnate leaves. It is a drupe, externally covered by a pink-red rough textured rind, easily removable. Lychee contains sweet layered white flesh, enveloping a brown colored seed. The taste somewhat resembles that of grapes and is also quite juicy. Apart from its sweet and tangy flavor, Lychee has significant health and nutritional benefits. Quite popular among the natives of South East Asia, Lychee contains plenty of minerals and vitamins which make it the powerhouse of nutrients and minerals. Moreover, it is also a cosmetic and anti-aging agent for girls. To know about the nutritional value of lychee, read on.

Nutritional Value of Lychee

Nutrient/100gm	Content
Energy	66 kcal
Carbohydrates	16.53 g
Protein	0.83 g
Total Fat	0.44 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Dietary Fiber	1.3 g
Vitamins
Folates	14 µg
Niacin	0.603 mg
Choline	7.1 mg
Pyridoxine	0.100 mg
Riboflavin	0.065 mg
Thiamin	0.011 mg
Vitamin A	0 mg
Vitamin C	71.5 mg
Vitamin E	0.07 mg
Vitamin K	0.4 µg
Electrolytes
Sodium	1 mg
Potassium	171 mg
Minerals
Calcium	5 mg
Copper	0.148 mg
Iron	0.31 mg
Magnesium	10 mg
Manganese	0.055 mg
Phosphorus	31 mg
Selenium	0.6 µg
Zinc	0.07 mg

Health & Nutritional Benefits of Eating Lychee

Lychee helps in increasing the energy of the body.
It increases fluids in the body, which are essential for good health.
It enhances the feeling of well-being.
Lychee is extremely rich in Vitamin C and contains approximately 40 percent more Vitamin C than orange.
It has high levels of beta carotene; greater than that found in carrots.
Lychee is considered a diuretic and digestive.
It contains unsaturated fatty acids, which help in the absorption of beta carotene, and many other fat soluble vitamins.
It helps prevent blood clots, severe cell damage and reduces the chances of strokes.
It is a good source of carbohydrates and fiber, which are quite essential for the body.
Lychee is rich in B-complex vitamins including thiamin, niacin and folate, which help the body in metabolizing carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Lychee is rich in potassium, which is a key component of body and cell fluids, and helps in controlling heart rate and blood pressure. It also provides protection against coronary heart diseases and stroke.
Lychee refines the skin tone and gets rid of the spots on the face.
Lychee is very effective in enriching the blood and restoring the power. This makes the fruit highly preferable for weak and elderly people.
Asians, especially, Chinese have been eating Lychee to relieve pain and as a remedy to cure sore throats and coughs. It helps in digestion, in shrinking the swollen glands and in enhancing the health and longevity.
Lychee is highly preferable for those who want to lose their weight. Having a very low fat content, regular intake of this fruit is a must for the weight watchers.
One cup of lychee contain 2.5 gram of fiber. Regular consumption of fiber helps to lower the cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer and ensure the proper functioning of digestive system.
Lychee contains a good amount of Oligonol, which is an antioxidant and an anti-viral agent..
Lychee contains copper, which keeps the thyroid at bay and play an important role in production of hormones such as thyroxine.

Buying & Storing Tips

While buying lychee, look for one, which has a rosy looking skin. Remember that this fruit will not ripe after being harvested.
At home, store lychee in a plastic bag in refrigerator for a week. Before eating, remove the stem, peel off the outer skin. The shiny brown seed in the middle of the fruit is inedible.
Try to freeze lychee immediately after picking. To freeze, wash the fruit and keep them in containers and seal tightly. Removing the shells and packing the fruit halves in sugar syrup is also an option. This can be stored for almost twelve months.

Cooking Tips

To prepare lychee, remove the skin of the fruit and pull out the stone inside which is inedible.
Lychee without stones is a common addition in salads.
Stuff the fruit with cream cheese and orange rind to prepare refreshing finger food.
Litchis are used in dessert sauces and sweet-and-sour salads.

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Benefits Of Lychee

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