Lychee, known scientifically as Litchi chinensis, is a sweet, heart-shaped exotic fruit, which originates in China but is also grown in Brazil.
The benefits of lychee are mainly to help the correct functioning of cells throughout the body, counteracting the harmful effect of stress or poor diet, for example, because it is rich in antioxidants such as anthocyanins, flavonoids and tannins. Other benefits of lychee for health can be:
- Prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases;
- Avoid the development of cancer;
- Protect the liver from various diseases;
- Keep skin firm and perfect;
- Improve the body's metabolism.
In addition, lychee is low in calories and can be consumed in weight-loss diets and is good for controlling diabetes because it contains hypoglycine, a substance that lowers glucose production, helping to control blood sugar. Here's how you can enjoy this fruit to lose weight in: 3 exotic fruits to lose weight.
How to consume
This fruit can be eaten raw, in juice or tea with the bark, but there is also lychee canned and even litchi bullets. In addition, it can be found in soaps, perfumes and creams, for example.
The best time to consume this fruit is after meals, and its consumption should be avoided in the morning, after a few hours of fasting because as it prevents the formation of glucose, which is fundamental for brain functioning, its exclusive consumption can be serious causing even convulsions.
Nutrition information for lychee
| Components | Amount per 100 g of lychees |
| Calories | 66 calories |
| Proteins | 1.1 g |
| Fats | 0.1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.05 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.07 mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 0.5 mg |
| Vitamin C | 49 mg |
| Calcium | 2 mg |
| Iron | 0.5 mg |
The lychees can be found in supermarkets, markets or fairs and the price is approximately 10 reais a pound.
