The Benefits of Lychees

The lychee is an evergreen tree belonging to the soapberry family known as Sapindaceae. This tropical tree is primarily cultivated in Mexico, Asia and Southern Africa.

The lychee fruit is a drupe with a length and diameter of about 3 cm. The skin is inedible and pinkish-red in color. It also has a rough texture but can easily be removed. The flesh is sweet, translucent and white, with a texture similar to that of a grape but not as moist.

Lychees are often eaten raw and are readily available in fresh markets. They are also found canned in syrup or dried. They can be added to fruit cocktails, made into juices or smoothies and even added in some savory meat dishes.

Apart from being a symbol of love and romance in China, lychees offer a range of benefits. People around the globe regard it as one of the healthiest fruits available. Here are some of its benefits.

Benefits of Lychees

Lychees are rich in Vitamin C, which means that they can protect the body from many infections, illnesses and diseases. They can also fight coughs, colds and other respiratory problems.
Lychees have high calcium content. They promote healthy bone growth and development. They also help prevent diseases of the teeth and bones.
Traditional Chinese medicine suggests that the lychee improves blood circulation and prevents diseases of the blood.
It also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, relieving pain and shrinking swollen glands.
Many studies indicate that the flavonoids in lychee pulp lower the risk of certain cancers, especially breast cancer.
Lychee also contains protein, a nutrient needed for the development of lean muscles. It speeds up the body's metabolic rate, and is a good weight loss aid.