5 Benefits of Lychee Fruit You Didn't Know About

 

The lychee fruit has enjoyed popularity in Asian cuisine for centuries, but it’s only recently becoming more well-known in the United States and other countries outside of Asia. That said, the lychee fruit still has plenty of benefits that you may not have even known about! Here are just five of them to get you started.

 

1) Reduces your risk of heart disease

The lychee fruit is rich in vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that’s essential for cardiovascular health. Lychees are also rich in fiber, which can help lower cholesterol and protect against heart disease by helping to rid your body of dangerous LDL cholesterol particles. Protects your skin: The lychee fruit is packed with powerful antioxidants that may even help keep you looking younger as you age. A study conducted by Chinese researchers found that frequent lychee eaters had more elastic skin than those who ate few or no lychees. Antioxidants, including proanthocyanidins and flavonoids, have been shown to increase the production of collagen, a key protein in keeping your skin looking young and lithe.

Additionally, lychees contain an amino acid called L-arginine. L-arginine stimulates blood flow and may aid circulation. As blood flows through your body, it takes oxygen from your lungs to bring nutrients all through all parts of your body and take away waste products like carbon dioxide. This means healthy circulation keeps all organs functioning properly, which protects you from numerous conditions related to poor flow, such as varicose veins or chronic leg pain caused by poor venous come back. So next time you want something sweet to eat after dinner during warm weather months, reach for some fresh lychees!

 

2) Combats cancer cells

Lychees are rich in fiber and antioxidants, which can help lower bad cholesterol levels and boost your immune system. They also contain ferulic acid, a natural compound that has been proven to kill cancer cells in lab tests. This antioxidant is only found in lychees, but regular consumption can help protect you from cancer. In addition to lowering your risk for heart disease and certain cancers, lychees are high in vitamins A and C, as well as calcium, potassium, and B vitamins. They’re also a great source of antioxidants like vitamin C -- one cup provides more than 100 percent of your daily requirement. Studies have shown that consuming antioxidants can help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals can reason injury to healthy cells and may contribute to diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, and heart disease. Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals earlier than they have a chance to do any damage. Lychees are also low in calories (about 60 per fruit) so they won’t sabotage your weight loss efforts either!

 

3) Lowers cholesterol

One lychee has only about 50 calories and contains 0 grams of fat, making it a healthy snack to help you watch your cholesterol. In a study published in the journal Food Science & Nutrition, researchers discovered that participants who consumed lychees and their daily meals for four weeks had a 9% decrease in LDL cholesterol—considered bad cholesterol—compared to those who didn’t consume lychees. Cholesterol can clog arteries, which could result in heart disease or stroke. If you're at risk for these conditions, consider incorporating more lychees into your diet. Just be confident to make sure with your doctor first. The American Heart Association recommends the utilization of 25-35 grams of fiber per day (about 14-20 lychees) to lower cholesterol levels. Also, remember that dietary cholesterol does not affect blood cholesterol levels like saturated fats do, so go ahead and enjoy your lychee!

To read more concerning how eating lychees can decrease blood pressure, click here! To learn how consuming foods rich in flavonoids like those found in lychees may improve bone health and strengthen bones, click here! And if you'd like to study how overwhelming antioxidant-rich foods like lychees may prevent age-related diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease, click here!

 

4) Encourages collagen production

As you age, your body naturally produces less collagen and elastin, which help keep your skin firm and supple. Drinking lychee juice stimulates collagen production, making it one of nature’s best anti-aging secret weapons. A 2012 study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research found that rats fed a diet rich in lychees were able to increase their production of collagen and elastin. This can lead to firmer skin with fewer wrinkles. Try adding fresh or canned lychees to your smoothies for an easy way to get more collagen into your diet. If you're worried about excess sugar spending, simply freeze some peeled lychees and use them as ice cubes in your drink instead. Alternatively, try a cup of unsweetened 100 percent pure fruit juice—just be sure to avoid added sugars by checking labels carefully. When choosing juices at restaurants, go for those made from whole fruits rather than from concentrates; freshly squeezed is always better than bottled varieties too. In addition to boosting collagen levels and civilizing suppleness, consuming plenty of fruits like lychees has also been linked to enhanced eye health and vision defense next to macular degeneration later on in life.

 

5) Keeps you hydrated

For many people, having an easy way to stay hydrated is essential. Dehydration can make us feel lethargic and uncomfortable, while plenty of water can keep us energized and alert. The lychee fruit is low in calories but provides plenty of vitamins that are vital for maintaining proper fluid levels in our bodies. For example, lychee fruit is high in vitamin C, which assists with water amalgamation during digestion. If you’re trying to shed a few pounds but worried about feeling drained all day long, adding lychees to your diet may be just what you need! When paired with other low-calorie fruits like raspberries or grapefruit, it could prove to be a delicious source of nourishment for days on end. As if that weren’t enough, consuming plenty of lychee fruit can also help reduce oxidative stress and boost energy levels, according to research published in Food Science & Nutrition. What's more? This hot treat contains plenty of antioxidants that fight against free radicals—the spiteful by-product produced when we burn fat—and boost metabolism at the same time. No wonder so many health experts recommend incorporating lychees into your daily routine! To get started, try intake them plain or throw them into some kind of delicious smoothie mix. It couldn't hurt! (Just remember: Freshly harvested fruits tend to have higher nutritional value than those that have been sitting around for weeks.