Lychee description. Trace elements are minerals. Beneficial properties of cherimoya

Lychee (otherwise known as “fox”, “liji”, “Chinese plum”, “laysi”, “dragon eye”) is a tasty and healthy fruit that can be found not only in the countries of Southeast Asia, but also in domestic supermarkets. Recently, these fruits have been exported to us mainly from Vietnam and Thailand. However, many still do not know what lychee fruit tastes like and how to eat it. The benefits and harms of “Chinese plum” are of interest to many consumers. Let's try to figure this out.

What does lychee look like?

This fruit is small in size (from 2.5 to 3.5 cm in diameter) and weighs about 15, maximum 20 g. It has an oval or ovoid shape. The reddish or pinkish peel of lychee is dense, but brittle, and consists of numerous tubercles. The jelly-like juicy pulp of the fruit has a white or cream tint. It has excellent, refreshing, sweet and sour taste and a pleasant aroma. Inside the fruit there is an inedible seed, oblong in shape, dark brown in color. This is what lychee fruit looks like, the photo clearly demonstrates it. This interesting fruit grows in clusters on evergreen trees of the Sapindaceae family, reaching a height of 30 m. They have a dense, spreading crown. Their leaves are dense and leathery, usually a rich dark green hue. Lychee trees bloom with numerous yellowish flowers, collected in hanging inflorescences similar to “umbrellas”.

Where did this tropical fruit come from?

The birthplace of lychee is considered to be China, where this fruit has been grown for more than 1000 years. Since ancient times, the Chinese called this fruit the “eye of the dragon”, due to the bright combination of red peel, white pulp and brown seed. In Europe, they learned about this tasty fruit only in the 17th century. Where does lychee grow now? Nowadays, trees of the Sapindaceae family actively bear fruit in vast areas of Southeast Asia, Australia, the countries of South America and Africa (South Africa), as well as in the southern United States. This fruit is exported to Russia mainly from the northern regions of Vietnam and Thailand. Harvest in the subtropics in May-June, cutting off the bunches along with the stem part of the branch. Fruits collected individually spoil extremely quickly and begin to ferment.

Lychee - a storehouse of vitamins and minerals

This tropical fruit has a variety of beneficial properties, as it contains a lot of vitamins. "Dragon's eye" is rich in valuable micro- and macroelements. Lychee contains B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. Dragon eye also contains vitamins K, E, H and folic acid. It contains especially a lot of vitamin C. In addition, lychee is rich in healthy dietary fiber and a large amount clean water. In addition, Chinese plums are rich in minerals, including copper, fluorine, zinc, manganese, and iodine. It contains phosphorus, sodium, calcium, iron, sulfur and potassium. The sugar content in lychee varies between 5-15% depending on where the fruit grows.

Lychee fruit. Benefits and harms

Such a high content of valuable vitamins, micro- and macroelements, as well as fiber and pure water makes the “Chinese plum” an extremely healthy product. It saturates a person with necessary substances, gives strength and vigor. Lychee has an excellent tonic effect on the body as a whole and mobilizes the immune system. In China, it has been known since ancient times that “dragon eye” is a powerful natural aphrodisiac. It is able to rejuvenate the body, activate desire and maintain “love” functions at the proper level. Lychee fruit has been successfully used for the prevention and treatment of many serious diseases. Its benefits and harm are, in fact, disproportionate. Counts,
"Chinese plum" cannot cause serious harm to human health. But its benefits are enormous. However, it is advisable to exercise caution when consuming the fruit. You should not eat too much lychee at once. Otherwise, an allergic reaction may occur. It manifests itself as acne on the skin and damage to the mucous membranes oral cavity. First, you should try one or two fruits and monitor the body’s reaction. If everything is in order, you can safely eat up to 250 g of “Chinese plum” per day (for adults). Children over 2 years old need to consume about 100 g of fruit. It is not advisable to include lychees in the diet of one-year-old babies. “Chinese plum” is contraindicated for those who have been found to have an individual intolerance to it.

How is lychee fruit used in folk medicine? how is it useful?

This tropical fruit is widely used in folk oriental medicine. It can and should be used to prevent vitamin deficiency and anemia. Lychees are often used to prevent heart disease. vascular diseases and atherosclerosis, because it contains a significant amount of potassium.
The fruit also contains nicotinic acid, which has a positive effect on lipid metabolism in the body. Lychee fruit helps clear cholesterol from the blood and dilates blood vessels. What else is it useful for? It is used to normalize blood sugar levels, so it is indicated for people with diabetes or hypoglycemia. In addition, useful decoctions and infusions are made from the “Chinese plum”, which normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, have a mild laxative effect, and have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the liver and kidneys. People with lung diseases, including those suffering from bronchitis, asthma or tuberculosis, are prescribed to take preparations with lychee. These drugs make breathing easier and normalize the function of the respiratory system. Regular consumption of lychee is beneficial for those who have peptic ulcer, gastritis and pancreatic diseases. In oriental medicine, “Chinese plum” in combination with lemongrass is even used to treat cancer, including breast cancer. Is lychee peel healthy? It is no less valuable than the pulp of the fruit. Lychee peel is used to prepare decoctions and infusions that have a pronounced diuretic effect. They help remove excess fluid from body tissues, and also increase overall tone and improve well-being.

"Chinese plum" in dietary nutrition

Nutritionists recommend eating lychee in order to saturate the body with water and also reduce the feeling of hunger. “Chinese plum” contains pectin. It allows you to quickly saturate the body, giving nutrition to the beneficial intestinal microflora. Therefore, it is recommended to eat several lychee fruits before each meal, which will reduce the standard portion of food and avoid overeating. The calorie content of lychee is only 76 kcal/100 g, so people who carefully monitor their weight can eat it without fear.

How to choose good, fresh fruit in the store?

If you want to purchase quality, delicious fruits, you must follow the following simple rules. Firstly, when choosing a lychee, you need to pay attention to the color of its peel. It should be pink or red. Brown color indicates that the fruit was picked from the tree a long time ago and has already deteriorated. The taste of dark-colored lychee will be unpleasant, and the smell will be sharper and stronger. The light yellow color of the fruit, on the contrary, indicates its immaturity. This fruit is also not worth purchasing. Secondly, when choosing a “Chinese plum” you need to pay attention to the presence of damage. A good fruit will not have any suspicious spots, dents, or cracks. Thirdly, the lychee should be elastic, as if it would soon “burst”. You should not take a fruit that is too soft or, conversely, hard. Fourthly, there should be no white spots or mold in the place where the petiole was located. And finally, the scent of lychee should be pleasant, fresh, slightly reminiscent of a rose. Too heavy and sweet indicates overripeness and staleness of the fruit.

"Dragon's Eye" in cooking

How to eat lychee? The fruit just needs to be washed under running water, peeled, and then removed inedible bone. The juicy pulp of the fruit can be eaten in fresh. Reminds me of a strawberry mix white grapes, currants and dried apricots lychee fruit. Its taste is pleasant, sweet and sour, fresh. In addition to eating fresh, lychees can be canned, dried, frozen and cooked. It is used to make drinks and desserts, including delicious ice cream, various sauces, mousses, and jellies. Lychee is used to make excellent golden wine, with a pleasant fruity aromatic and soft sweet and sour aftertaste.
"Dragon's eye" is also used in preparing dishes from game, meat and sea fish. In Chinese restaurants you can taste deep-fried shrimp under sweet and sour sauce with lychee (Lizhi Xia Qiu). If you manage to buy fresh “Chinese plum”, be sure to try cooking it at home sweet and sour chicken with almonds and lychee sauce. In addition, the fruit is used in the preparation of various baked goods, it is added to the filling of pies and pies, and cookies and cakes are made from it.

How to properly store lychee?

The issue of storing the “dragon eye” deserves special attention. In general, it is advisable to eat this fruit as soon as possible - on the first day after purchase. At room temperature Lychee can be safely kept for 2-3 days. In the refrigerator, at 7°C, lychee can be kept for one or two weeks, provided that the shell is intact and there is no damage. In general, this fruit spoils quite quickly, its peel darkens and the amount of vitamins in its composition decreases. If you want to save lychees on long term, we advise you to peel the fruits and freeze them. You can also dry the fruit or preserve it. In China, pickled lychees are stored inside bamboo stalks. In India and Vietnam, the whole fruit is dried, after which the peel becomes hard, and such fruits are called “nuts.” In this article we looked at an interesting Chinese fruit - lychee, the benefits and harms of which concern many consumers. As you can see, the “Chinese plum” has practically no contraindications and therefore can be safely eaten. Moreover, it is rich in vitamins, minerals and has a lot of undeniable advantages! Be sure to try this delicious exotic product.

Lychee fruit (dragon eye), its benefits and harm

(or Lizhi) is an exotic fruit that grows in Central Asia, in some countries of Africa and South America, although its homeland is considered China, where the fruit is often called "Chinese plum" or "dragon eye". Fruit grows on trees of the family Sapindovs, which begin to bloom in early May, and already at the end of June bring a rich harvest. Lychee is vaguely similar to a plum, has a dense pimply peel, a brown seed inside and juicy jelly-like pulp of a milky shade. The refreshing taste of the fruit resembles pineapple-strawberry puree, and the fruits themselves are no more than 4 cm in diameter.

Chemical composition and nutritional value

Behind the lumpy skin lies a delicate, creamy substance. It has a subtle sweet and sour taste and contains a whole bunch of useful substances:

vitamins – K, E, C, group B (PP, B6, B5, B9, B1, B2);
mineral components – selenium, manganese, iodine, copper, zinc, phosphorus, chromium, iron, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium;
beta-carotene and carotene (zeaxanthin);
choline;
mono- and disaccharides;
fatty acid;
alimentary fiber;
fiber;
pectins;
ash.

Lychee on 82% consists of water. The essential oils contained in the peel give the fruit a subtle odor that is a bit reminiscent of a tea rose.

The nutritional value fruits per 100 g is:

proteins ~ 0.84 g;
fats ~ 0.45 g;

carbohydrates ~ 15.21 g;
energy value ~ 65 kcal.

In fruits, each of which weighs about 20 grams, contains a small amount of fat, complex carbohydrates and several tens of times more than in all other fruits, zeaxanthin, together with vitamin A, which is responsible for visual acuity.

Beneficial properties of lychee

In India, lychees were nicknamed "fruit of love". The fruit is considered an aphrodisiac and is used to stimulate and restore the function of the reproductive system.

Eating fruits also has the following effects impact:

normalization of the cardiovascular system;
reducing the risk of developing heart disease;
reducing blood cholesterol levels;
restoration of vascular elasticity;
prevention of atherosclerosis;
decreased blood sugar;
preventing the development of diseases of the stomach, intestines and digestive organs;
prevention of anemia;
stabilization of liver and kidney function;
restoration of hormonal metabolism;
preventing the development of cancerous tumors;
normalization of water-salt balance and reduction of tissue swelling;
reducing the risk of developing respiratory system diseases;
anti-tuberculosis effect.

The fruits are excellent quenches thirst and refreshes, restores vigor and tones. In the practice of Eastern medicine, lychees are used as the main component in a 10-day preventive course to lower blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes.

The fruit extract is also used in cosmetology. Pulp puree has a moisturizing and softening effect, oil extracts are included in masks and creams. Eating fruits in the summer reduces the negative effects of UV rays on the skin, preventing its premature aging.

Lychee in a healthy diet

The fruits contain sufficient amounts fiber and dietary fiber , which helps eliminate gastrointestinal dysfunctions, remove waste and toxins, as well as normalize metabolism and accelerate metabolism.

Regular presence of fruits in the diet eliminates constipation and improves intestinal motility. Lychee - fruit low calorie, which characterizes its dietary benefits. The balanced composition and unique properties contribute to rapid saturation and long-term satisfaction of hunger. If you eat a couple of fruits before meals, you can halve your usual serving size and reduce the risk of overeating.

Fresh lychees contain more benefits, but the fruit is actively used in cooking for preparations:

drinks (juices, low- and alcoholic wines);
cocktails (fruit and milk);
fruit salads;
sauces;
desserts (jelly, mousses, puddings);

marinades;
puree;
fillings for pies and pancakes;
ice cream;
baking and confectionery products.

The fruits are popular in dried and canned form; they practically do not lose their properties during heat treatment, enhancing the taste and aroma of ready-made dishes. Lychee combine with many products:

fruits;
vegetables (fresh and canned);
greens;
berries;
milk;
fermented milk products;
cereals;
cereals and bran;

fish;
bird;
seafood;
lean and lean meat;
dried fruits;
nuts;
cheeses;
cream;
any juices.

It's better to eat fruit in purified form Be sure to remove the bone. The fruit is included in the menu of fruit diets and fasting days. It is great for breakfasts, lunches and afternoon snacks, perfectly highlighting the taste of cereals, yoghurts, muesli and cottage cheese dishes. Lychee should not be eaten with fatty, spicy or smoked foods, mayonnaise, ketchup, as well as legumes and coffee.

How to eat lychees correctly

The presence of lychee is unacceptable in the diet children under 5 years old, older children are allowed to give 2-3 fruits per week.

Fruits are allowed during pregnancy.

For adults, the daily allowance during the diet period, when the amount of fatty and high-calorie dishes, is no more than 100 g. Under normal nutrition, the lychee norm is characterized by 3-4 fruits 2-3 times a week.

Harm and contraindications

The red color of the peel determines the allergic properties of the fruit, so excessive consumption can lead to individual intolerance. Lychees should not be eaten with starchy foods to avoid the risk of digestive upset, heartburn and increased gas formation. It is not recommended to add fruits in large quantities to meat dishes, as this can cause severity and aggravation of gastric diseases. In addition, there are exotic fruits on an empty stomach It's also not worth it.

How to choose lychee fruits

When choosing quality fruits, special attention should be paid to peel, it should be of uniform thickness, without signs of damage, cracks or stains, and of a uniform red-pink color. You should not take brown fruit - it is probably stale and has already begun to deteriorate. Unedible fruits have a stronger odor and unpleasant taste. This usually means that they were picked green and the ripening process did not occur correctly.

When shaken lightly, a good fruit should tap a little, and be soft to the touch, but elastic. The aroma of fresh ripe lychee gives off a floral trail. It is better to choose fruits on a branch - they have more benefits and useful elements.

How best to store the product

Lychee can be stored in a cool place or refrigerator without losing its properties and changing its composition at t from -1 to +6 °С within 10-14 weeks. They will lie in a warm room 5-6 days.

Individual fruits are dried in their peels, withered, and peeled ones are frozen and canned. Well-dried lychees are used as nuts, while under-dried ones are used as dried fruits.

The exotic fruit with a red lumpy skin and pearly softness has a rich nutritional composition, helps strengthen vision, heart, normalize digestion and defeat hated overweight. In reasonable quantities, it will be an excellent addition to the daily diet, and thanks to the folic acid contained in the fruit, it will provide a boost of energy and good mood.

Beneficial properties of lychee - an exotic fruit from the tropics

Most people, when they hear the word “lychee,” will not think that it means a tasty fruit, although this fruit has been known in Europe since the 18th century. It is imported from tropical countries. Lychee originally grew in China, from where it spread to other countries in Southeast Asia. This fruit is also called Chinese plum or Chinese grape. Beneficial features Lychees helped this fruit become very popular. This one is amazing beautiful fruit can be purchased at markets from July to October, and in winter only in canned form.

Description of lychee

These small fruits are oval or round in shape, no more than 4 cm in size. The fruit has a rather dense red skin with many pimples, so it looks a bit like a children's rubber ball. The peel is easily separated from the pulp, which is very tasty and aromatic. The inside of the fruit resembles a grape and has the same jelly-like consistency.

The color of the flesh is white or creamy. Inside it is a dark large bone. In China, the fruit is called "dragon's eye" - this is what the cut fruit looks like. Lychee is valued for its refreshing sweet and sour taste and delicate tart aroma, reminiscent of the scent of a tea rose. But besides its unusual taste, it has many beneficial properties. Therefore, not only as a delicacy, but also as a dietary nutrition Lychee is used.

Properties of fruits

The pulp is rich in vitamins and minerals. The fruits are especially rich in vitamin C, nicotinic acid and magnesium and potassium salts. They also contain proteins, complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber. There is a lot of lychee in the pulp structured water, calcium, sulfur, iron, iodine and zinc. This fruit is low in calories, so it is useful for obesity. He has a low glycemic index and low sugar content.

Benefits of lychee

The fruit is a strong aphrodisiac, which is why in the East it is also called the fruit of love.
Its consumption reduces cholesterol levels and improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The beneficial properties of lychee are also manifested in the fact that it has a vasodilating effect and maintains the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, so it is good to use as a preventive measure for atherosclerosis and stroke.
The tender pulp of the fruit is very refreshing, quenches thirst, and has a tonic effect.
Eating fruits improves metabolism and normalizes digestion. They are low in calories, so they promote weight loss.
The beneficial properties of lychee make it indispensable for diabetics, lowering blood sugar levels.
The fruits are useful for gastritis and ulcers, diseases of the liver and pancreas, and constipation.
The presence of protein and minerals makes it an excellent remedy for anemia and exhaustion. It easily satisfies hunger and saturates the body with energy.
In oriental medicine, the beneficial properties of lychee are used in the treatment of kidney diseases. A decoction of the peel removes well excess water from fabrics.
The fruit is useful for bronchitis, tuberculosis and other lung diseases.
In China, they even treat cancer by eating lychee along with lemongrass.

Lychee: benefits and harm

Despite such many beneficial properties, lychee can harm the body, especially children. This fruit causes severe allergic reactions in some people. When consumed in large quantities, flatulence begins. In addition, lychee is incompatible with protein foods and starches, as it can cause intestinal upset and diarrhea.

How to choose lychee fruits

The best way to experience the taste and aroma of the fruit is when fresh. But they retain their properties when dried, frozen or canned. Refreshing drinks made from lychee are popular in the East. In our markets, these fruits are usually sold from July to October. They are stored for a long time and are easy to transport, but you need to be able to choose them correctly so as not to acquire overripe or rotten fruits.

Be sure to shake each fruit. You should hear a slight tapping sound - this is evidence of the ripeness and freshness of the lychee.
Fresh fruit makes a light sound delicate aroma tea rose. It should be pleasant and not strong.
Fresh fruits should have a red, not too dark and not too soft skin, which should not have any damage or white spots of mold.

How to use this fruit

Lychee is tastier and healthier when eaten fresh. It is peeled and placed on a plate. These delicious fruits can be consumed in canned or processed form. They make delicious ice cream, soft jam, marmalade and jam. The pulp is also used to make filling for sweet pies, drinks or syrup. And in China they cook from lychee aromatic wine. The pulp can be added to tea, sauces and alcoholic cocktails. Pairs perfectly with meat and fish dishes, it is added to light salads and roasts. This fruit can be dried and frozen.

Although these fruits are very common in Asia, but from huge amount Only a small part matures.
In ancient times, only the rich could eat this fruit; peasants were prohibited from doing so.
Every year in Thailand a traditional holiday is held - the Lychee Festival.
This fruit has one drawback: it is advisable to consume it immediately after harvesting. Fruits picked from a tree quickly lose their taste.

In oriental medicine, the lychee fruit is very actively used, the beneficial properties of which have been well known since ancient times.

Beneficial properties of lychee

Lychee is one of the most valuable products in the east, and recently it can be found on the shelves of supermarkets in our country. The fruits of this plant are not only incredibly tasty, but also healthy. Lychee is a tree that belongs to the Sapindaceae family. There are about two thousand species and one hundred and fifty genera in the world. Lychee grows mainly in Africa, America and Asia. Not such a large number can be found in Australia. In each of the above countries, the beneficial properties of lychee have long been known.

The fruit first became known in China, where it is also called “lisi” or “liji”. Many documents that date back to the second century BC indicate that the fruits of the plant in question were eaten in ancient China. Over time, the fame of the miraculous fruit began to spread to neighboring countries, and very soon lychee became popular in Southeast Asia and other continents. For the first time, the beneficial properties of lychee were described in detail in the book of Gonzalez de Mendoza, a writer from Spain who promoted Chinese culture.

The average size of the fruits of the plant in question is three and a half centimeters; as for the shape, it can be ovoid or oval. The weight of the fetus can reach a maximum of twenty grams. The fruit is covered with a dense peel, intensely colored red and covered with small tubercles with pimples. Inside the fruit there is white pulp, which resembles jelly in its consistency. Inside the pulp you can find a large, dense, brown seed. The taste of the fruit pulp is surprisingly pleasant, refreshing, sweet and sour. The aroma is no less pleasant and unusual. The Chinese call this fruit the dragon's eye because the flesh is light and the seed inside is large and dark.

Chemical composition of lychee:

One hundred grams of fruit contains 17 g of carbohydrates, 0.3 g of fat, 0.9 g of protein and 79.5 g of water.
The fruit also contains vitamin K, C, B9, B6, B5, Niacin, B2 and B1, E and Biotin.
Macroelements include Phosphorus, Chlorine, Sulfur, Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium and Calcium.
Among the microelements in 100 g of pulp are 10 mcg of fluorine, 70 mcg of zinc, 140 mcg of copper, 55 mcg of manganese, 1.3 mcg of iodine and 0.35 mcg of iron.
The calorie content of lychee is 76 kcal per 100 g.

Beneficial properties of lychee

The benefits of lychee are due to the presence of abundant minerals and vitamins in it. Lychee is often recommended to people who suffer from cardiovascular diseases, since it contains a lot of calcium and vitamin C. It is heart patients in China who often include this fruit in their diet. Also, Chinese sages strongly recommended lychees to those who want to lower blood cholesterol levels or to people with atherosclerosis.

The combination of lychee and lemongrass helps treat cancer. Residents of the East consider this fruit to be the fruit of love, and also use it as a component to treat gastritis, constipation and many other diseases. The thirst-quenching properties of lychee are well known to people who are forced to stay away from water sources for a long time.

The preventive effect of the fruit on the human body is already known to many today; lychee has a beneficial effect on the liver and kidneys. If speak about medical supplies, then the fruit in question is used to treat asthma, respiratory diseases, bronchitis and tuberculosis. If you eat ten fruits of the tree a day, the blood sugar level of diabetics can be brought back to normal.

The benefits of lychee are also represented by the following properties:

Promotes weight loss;
Normalizes the functioning of the digestive system;
Excellent thirst quencher;
Has a tonic effect;
Treats anemia;
Reduces blood sugar levels;
Treats constipation.

Contraindications to consuming lychee

The fruit is very tasty and healthy, but you need to know the limit in everything. Abuse of the fruits of this tree in rare cases can cause an allergic reaction in the form of a rash, pimples or irritation of the mucous membrane. Children can consume no more than 100 g of pulp per day. In rare cases, individual intolerance occurs.

Benefits of lychee (video)

Exotic fruits

An ancient tropical crop of the genus Passiflora, producing oval fruits of yellow or dark purple color (when ripe) growing on vines. Passion fruit is grown for its juice, which is often added to other fruit juices for aroma.

Passion fruit is native to Brazil but is currently grown in Australia. South America and South Africa.

Passion fruit is a yellow-orange or dark purple oval-shaped fruit measuring about 6-12 cm. Fruits with smooth, shiny skin are preferred, but are sweeter with rough, cracked skin.

You can simply cut the fruit in half and eat the aromatic pulp. Passion fruit seeds are also quite edible - they are used to decorate cakes and other confectionery products.

The sweet and sour juice of passion fruit is valuable in cooking, and since it has high tonic properties, it is also used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetology.

When purchasing passion fruit, you should look for the large, wrinkled fruits with dark purple skin and sweet yellowish-green seeds. Ripe fruit can last in the refrigerator for about a week.

Beneficial properties of passion fruit:

Passion fruit helps improve intestinal function and has a mild laxative effect. In addition, these fruits stimulate the excretion of uric acid from the body and act as a natural antipyretic. Passion fruit is recommended for people suffering from diseases of the urinary tract and liver, as well as for low blood pressure. The juice of this fruit has a calming effect and helps improve sleep.

Passion fruit contains alpha hydroxy acids. Improves hydration, elasticity and skin tone. Used in cosmetics (gels) for aging skin with poor blood circulation, prone to acne and oily skin with poor self-cleaning ability.

Passion fruits contain significant amounts of vitamins and minerals, are rich in fiber and substances with antioxidant activity. Nutritionists recommend consuming passion fruit for diseases of the cardiovascular system, liver, urinary tract and for weight loss.

Passion fruit also has antimicrobial, antipyretic and laxative effects, and also reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, improves the functioning of the digestive system and promotes the removal of uric acid and other metabolic products from the body.

Passion fruit has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the liver and urinary tract. The soluble fiber that the fruit contains reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Insoluble fiber normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and is used to prevent various diseases of the digestive system. Passion fruit also has an anti-inflammatory effect, protects the body from viral infections, regulates the functioning of nervous system. Passion fruit juice has a calming effect and improves sleep.

Passion fruit juice has a tonic effect, has a calming effect on the body, helps you sleep and suppresses the growth of cancer cells, and is also widely used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetology.

Passion fruit seeds are edible, but have a sleeping pill effect. The fruit contains passionflower glucoside, which provides its calming effect on the body. Passion flowers are used to produce sedative medications.

Dangerous properties of passion fruit:

Durian has this disgusting smell that you are unlikely to be allowed into a public place with him. The smell is very persistent and even after a long time after eating it, the aroma remains and, most importantly, it does not disappear or be killed by cosmetic products. This is the main reason why it cannot be stored for a long time. . However, if you overcome your disgust or just close your nose and taste juicy pulp, then you will immediately understand where the concept came from king of fruits.

The name comes from the Malay word thorn - duri, as well as the suffix an, which means prickly fruit. Its homeland is India, Indonesia, Ceylon, Thailand, the Philippines and Indochina. There is an opinion that the best durian grows on a plantation near Bangkok.

This fruit has quite large fruits, which can reach 30 cm and weigh up to 8 kilograms. They are completely covered with a peel, which is “decorated” with spines. Inside there are several oblong chambers, and in them there are delicate yellowish-white tasty masses.

Durian is an evergreen tree - a giant that grows up to 40 meters in height. It has shiny and leathery leaves that are slightly pointed and alternately arranged. The upper part of the leaves is smooth, while the opposite part is covered with scales. This amazing fruit blooms for only a few hours: golden brown, white or golden flowers have a heavy sour smell. They open at dusk and fall by dawn. The main period of fruit ripening is the beginning of spring and ends at the end of summer.

This purchase will require special attention during the off-season, since this is when bad durians are often found on the shelves. When pressed, the fruit should be slightly soft. Overripe fruits are very soft, while unripe ones cannot be pressed at all. The maturity of this product can also be determined by the condition of the thorns. If they move, then the fruits are of high quality and ripe, but if they are motionless, then it still needs to lie down. Pay attention to the smell of durian. If it has a very strong aroma, then there is a very high probability that it will be snotty inside - overripe.

You should not draw conclusions based on the color of the fruit, because the colors of different varieties are very different.

At room temperature this product can be stored for 5 days, but no more.

The seeds of this amazing fruit have been used in cooking for centuries. They are mainly used as a seasoning. These fruits have a strong pungent odor that resembles a mixture of cheese, rotten onions and turpentine. Despite this, the pulp has a rather pleasant taste, so it is eaten as a delicious dessert.

Most often, durian is used to make milkshakes, chips, ice cream and dried fruits. Sometimes it is fried just like potatoes. It should be noted that it goes well with coffee.

Useful properties of durian:

This fruit is very rich in proteins, fats, vitamins and carbohydrates. It is very important to know that it does not contain cholesterol. The pulp contains vitamin C, niacin, carotene, folic acid, riboflavin, calcium, iron, nicotinic acid and phosphorus.

Durian is considered a unique fruit due to the organic sulfur it contains. It is she who is the reason for his characteristic and not very pleasant aroma. This is the only fruit with sulfur in the world that is suitable for human consumption. Durian has a wonderful property - it can increase potency.

The pulp of this amazing fruit is an anthelmintic. Durian roots and leaves are used to prepare a decoction, which will later be used as an antipyretic. People suffering from fever apply the juice from the leaves of this plant to their heads. To relieve skin inflammation, use a decoction of durian leaves and fruits. If you have a bile spill, you should take a medicinal bath from the leaves of this exotic fruit. The ash of this plant is used during the postpartum period.

Dangerous properties of durian:

The consumption of this exotic fruit is prohibited for people with high blood pressure. It is contraindicated for consumption during pregnancy. Nursing mothers should also avoid eating this fruit.

Under no circumstances should it be combined with alcohol, as this can cause poisoning and a number of complications.

Due to its outstanding appearance, the fruit is called “dragon fruit” or “prickly pear”. This is a bushy tree-like cactus, with juicy fruits ripening at the ends of its stems. Flowers appear on it strictly on the first and fifteenth day of the month.

Depending on the species, the size of the fruit, the color of the pulp (white, pink, purple), the color of the skin (from yellow to orange, from red to purple) and the texture of the surface of the fruit (with small outgrowths, with thin colored scales) vary. The pulp of the fruit is always filled with small black seeds, which are usually peeled out.

The taste of pitahaya is somewhat inferior to its appearance - not aromatic, unsaturated, slightly sweet.

The attractive-looking fruits of pitihaya are actively used in cooking and primarily in the production of various alcoholic drinks. The juice and pulp are added to sweets, ice cream, sherbets, yoghurts and various dairy products; jam, sauces and jellies are made from the pulp. Pitahaya juice is mixed with lemon and lime juice to make “summer drinks.”

To prepare pitaya for consumption, the fruit is usually cut vertically into two halves. After this, you can either cut these halves into slices (similar to how you cut a melon), or scoop out the pulp with a spoon. Although pitaya seeds are rich in valuable lipids, they are generally indigestible unless chewed. The peel is inedible and may contain pesticides.

Beneficial properties of pitahaya:

Pitahaya is low in calories, contains proteins, water, phosphorus, calcium, iron, vitamin C, PP, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin).

The latest results of medical research have added even greater attractiveness to the fruit. In their opinion, eating pitahaya helps relieve stomach pain. In addition, the fruit is useful for those suffering from diabetes or other endocrine diseases.

The fruit is useful for those suffering from diabetes and has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular and immune systems.

Dangerous properties of pitahaya:

Eating large amounts of red-skinned pitahaya (such as Costa Rican) may cause pseudohematuria, a harmless reddening of the urine and feces.

Cherimoya is a tree 5-9 m high with two-row leaves up to 7-15 cm long and 4-9 wide. The flowers are located along the branches on short stalks and consist of three fleshy outer petals and three much smaller inner ones.

Cherimoya begins to bear fruit at the age of 4-5 years. And after 6 years of age, the tree will delight you with 2 dozen or even more fragrant and tasty fruits.

The complex segmented fruit has a heart-shaped or conical shape, 10-20 cm long and up to 10 cm wide and contains inside fragrant white fibrous cream pulp and about twenty black shiny seeds. The weight of the fetus varies from 0.5 to 3 kilograms.

Cherimoya is also known by the name “ice cream tree”, which it received due to its consistency, reminiscent of the consistency of ice cream when frozen, and also for its delicate sweet taste, which serves as an additive to this type of dessert. In general, if we describe the taste of cherimoya, we can say that it resembles pineapple, strawberries, papaya, mango, banana and cream at the same time.

Cutting this large, green, heart-shaped fruit into pieces reveals white flesh with black seeds. The pulp has a soft, creamy texture. When cooled, it resembles tropical sherbet. In Chile, it is a favorite filling for waffle cups for ice cream and cakes, and it is also added to yogurt.

The cherimoya pulp is eaten with a spoon, after cutting the fruit in half lengthwise. Cherimoya is added to salads, drinks, and desserts. To prevent darkening, cherimoya pieces are sprinkled with lemon or orange juice. Be careful - cherimoya seeds are inedible and should be spat out.

Beneficial properties of cherimoya:

Cherimoya fruits contain many useful substances: proteins, carbohydrates, folic acid, calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, glucose, fructose, sucrose, cellulose, lignin and pepsins, as well as organic acids - citric and succinic.

Cherimoya contains vitamin C and B vitamins.

Thanks to the ideal combination of acids and sugars, cherimoya is an easily digestible, nutritious and very tasty product. Eating these fruits normalizes stomach acidity, improves liver function, and promotes weight loss.

In South America, a soothing and relaxing tea is made from the bark and leaves, which improves digestion and also has a mild laxative effect. Indians believe that cherimoya leaves prevent the development of tumors. Two tablespoons of crushed dry fruits are an excellent antidote for food poisoning.

Dangerous properties of cherimoya:

Cherry kernels are extremely toxic. And, although nature took care of our safety by creating them unusually hard, there are those who want to try this part of the exotic fruit. They should absolutely not be chewed, crushed or consumed.

Rambutan is a tropical fruit tree of the Sapindaceae family. Rambutan fruits are small, the size of a hazelnut, grow in clusters of up to 30 pieces and are rounded “balls” with an elastic peel of yellow or red color, covered with fleshy hairs 4-5 cm long. Rambutan pulp covering the seed (edible, but to taste resembling an acorn), is a transparent white gelatinous mass with a pleasant sweet taste.

Rambutan is one of the most popular trees in Southeast Asia, where it is grown commercially in small gardens. But rambutan is also widespread throughout the tropical zone: it is bred in Africa, Central America, in the Caribbean islands and Australia. There are extensive rambutan plantations in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Rambutan is sometimes also called hairy fruit. When buying rambutans, pay attention that the fruits are rich red in color and the tips of the “hair” are greenish. Rambutan does not store well; it can be kept in the refrigerator for no more than a week.

Beneficial properties of rambutan:

The rambutan pulp that covers the seed (edible, but tastes like an acorn) is a white-yellow gelatinous mass with a pleasant sweet taste.

Rambutan fruits contain carbohydrates, proteins, protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, niacin and vitamins C, B1 and B2. Eating these fruits has a beneficial effect on the skin and improves digestion. It is believed that the fruit is very good for weakened and sick people, as it has cleansing properties.

Rambutans have a great taste not only raw, but also as a filling for pies and jams. It is used as an additive to sauces, ice cream and in the form of compotes.

The seed itself is also used: it contains about 40% fats and oils containing oleic and arachidic acids. When heated, the oil begins to emit a pleasant smell; it is used in the production of cosmetic soap and holiday candles.

The roots, bark and leaves of rambutan are used in folk medicine and in the production of fabric dyes. In Malaya, dried rambutan peel is sold directly in pharmacies as a medicinal product.

Lychee (lat. Litchi chinensis- Chinese plum) is a small sweet and sour berry covered with a crusty skin. The fruit grows on evergreen tropical trees, the height of which reaches 10-30 meters. The birthplace of the berry is China.

Lychee has an oval or round shape with a diameter of 2.5-4 cm. The ripe fruit has a dense red skin with a large number of sharp tubercles. Only the pulp of the fruit is used for food, which has a jelly-like structure, and in color and taste resembles peeled white grapes. Inside the pulp there is an oval brown seed. The main lychee harvest occurs in May-June.

Lychees are used mainly fresh for food. However, desserts (ice cream, jelly, marmalade), preserves, marmalade, and Chinese wine can also be made from the pulp of the berry. You can also find lychees in dried form. At the same time, the peel of the fruit becomes woody, and the dry pulp with the stone rolls freely inside. Lychees in this form are called lychee nut.

Fresh fruits are very difficult to store and transport over long distances. To keep lychees longer, they are picked in clusters together with a branch and a few leaves. At a temperature of 1-7°C, lychees can be stored for a month, and at room temperature - only 3 days. When purchasing lychees in a store, you should pay attention to the peel. It should be red, not too soft and without visible damage. The brown color indicates that the lychee is not fresh.

Beneficial properties of lychee:

Lychee fruits contain a large amount nutrients, including vitamins (C, E, K, group B, PP, H), minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, sodium, iodine, selenium, manganese), organic acids and pectin substances.

Doctors of oriental medicine use lychee for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis, normalization of sugar levels in diabetes, liver, lungs and kidneys. In combination with medicinal herbs and lemongrass, lychees are used to treat cancer and restore strength in the fight against disease. In this case, you should consume at least 10 fruits per day.

Due to the high content of potassium in the pulp of the fruit, it is recommended for use by people with cardiovascular disease, high blood cholesterol and anemia. It is also used to treat the stomach, pancreas, and intestinal dysfunction. In Hindu medicine, lychee is considered an aphrodisiac that enhances sexual desire and male power.

Dangerous properties of lychee:

Lychee has no contraindications for consumption. Only those people who have individual intolerance to the fetus should not eat them. When offering lychee to children, you need to ensure that they do not consume more than 100 g per day. Also, excessive consumption of the fruit can cause allergic reactions on the skin in the form of rashes and redness.

Longan (Lam Yai) is the fruit of the evergreen longan tree, common in China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Indonesia.

The skin of longan is thin and dense, but in fact it is very easy to peel off. The color of longan varies from brown to yellowish-red, and the flesh of the fruit is translucent, white or pinkish. The juicy pulp of longan has a sweet, juicy, very aromatic taste, with a distinct musk flavor. Longan tastes like lychee and in general, these two fruits are very similar. Like the Chinese lychee, the longan fruit contains a hard, dark red or black seed. Longan grows in clusters on evergreen trees, which can reach a height of ten to twenty meters.
Harvest season: June-August. Longan grows mainly in the northern regions of Thailand, in the towns of Chiang Mai and Lamphun.

Longan is sold like grapes, in bunches. The skin of a ripe fruit should be dense; cracks in the skin are unacceptable. It is not the longan that has just been picked from the tree that is considered more ripe, but the one that has already been lying on the store counter for a while. Try longan before purchasing, as the fruits can be sweeter or, conversely, more sour. Longan can be stored for two to three days at room temperature or five to seven days in the refrigerator.

Useful properties of longan:

Longan contains many vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, as well as large amounts of vitamins A and C. Recent studies on euphoria have shown that the fruit also contains phenols such as gallic acid, ellagic and corylagic acids, indicating that the fruit may have antioxidant properties, reduce the negative effects of chemotherapy and protect the liver.

Longan contains riboflavin and is a natural source of polysaccharides, supporting health at the cellular level.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, longan is used primarily as a tonic. Toning is mainly necessary for diseases whose symptoms are fatigue, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, pallor and blurred vision. In addition, the fruit is also used to normalize sleep, reduce causeless anxiety, calm and revitalize attention.

Annona (Guanabana - Soursop)

The tree in natural conditions reaches 6m in height, in a room it is much lower. Unlike some other annonas, this is an evergreen tree. The leaves are oval or oblong, glossy, leathery, dark green, up to 15 cm long. They have a slightly spicy odor, especially noticeable when rubbed.

The flowers are fragrant, large (up to 4.5 cm in diameter), consist of three yellow-green fleshy outer petals and three pale yellow inner ones, and can appear in different places - on the trunk, branches and small twigs. Flowers never fully open. The fruits are oval or heart-shaped, often irregular in shape, up to 30 cm in length, 15 cm in diameter and weighing up to 3 kg, dark green in color, becoming yellow-green when ripe. The peel of the fruit is thin, but tough, and has a mesh pattern. Juicy light creamy pulp custard, is divided into segments, in some cases containing one smooth oval dark seed. The pulp is aromatic, slightly sour, and has a unique aroma, slightly reminiscent of pineapple. The fruit contains several dozen seeds.

The fruits are harvested when they are still firm, but have already changed their color from dark green to slightly yellow-green. If you allow the fruits to ripen on the tree, they may fall to the ground and be damaged when they fall. Once harvested, they can remain strong for several days at room temperature. Ripe fruits are quite soft, you can feel it when pressed with your finger. Ripe fruits can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The peel may turn black, but the flesh remains edible.

The pulp can be eaten with a spoon directly from the fruit and can be preserved for later use. Before mechanical processing of the pulp, it is necessary to remove all seeds, as they are somewhat poisonous. The pulp is used to make juices, cocktails and other drinks, purees, and ice cream. In Indonesia, unripe fruits are used as vegetables.

Useful properties of Annona:

The pulp of the fruit is soft, used for preparing juices, extracts, and is a source of vitamins (C, B), mineral salts (calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus), as well as proteins, carbohydrates, folic acid.

Due to its rich vitamin composition, it is used for diseases of the large intestine, supports intestinal flora, improves liver function, promotes weight loss, normalizes stomach acidity, promotes the removal of uric acid from the body, so it is recommended for people suffering from rheumatism, arthritis and gout.

A large set of B vitamins provides a therapeutic effect for degenerative diseases of the spine and neurological pathology.

According to research, the substances contained in this plant have anti-cancer properties. Unlike chemotherapy, which destroys all cells, these substances selectively affect only foreign cells. Acetogynin is an inhibitor of enzymatic processes in tumor tissues.

A large number of foreign articles are devoted to the action of acetogenin as an antitumor substance. The results of a study of the antitumor activity of guanaban in comparison with the chemotherapeutic drug adriamycin are presented.

The bark and leaves are used as an antispasmodic and sedative, used for cough, flu, asthma, asthenia, hypertension. Tea made from the leaves can be used as a sleep aid and sedative. The leaves can be placed in a pillowcase or placed next to the pillow.

Dangerous properties of annona:

In addition to a number of beneficial properties, annona also has harmful ones. Sugar apple seeds have pungent taste. Eating them will inevitably lead to poisoning with possible serious consequences. Avoid getting the juice from annona seeds in your eyes, as this can cause blindness in some cases!

Also remember that you should not get too carried away with eating the pulp of this fruit; you should know when to stop everything in order to avoid undesirable consequences. Due to the high calcium content of annona, it should not be consumed by pregnant women.

Latin American scientists are of the opinion that guanabana abuse can cause Parkinson's disease. In addition, a certain herbal medicine called Triamazon is made from annona. This medicine is not licensed, so its effectiveness is very doubtful and has not yet been confirmed.

Perhaps you are a fan of trying new flavors and have already enjoyed something as exotic as lychee? If not, be sure to try it.

The overseas guest will certainly amaze and appearance, and taste, and the amount of elements beneficial to the body, which will be discussed below.

Lychees, of course, are not apples. Even today you can only find it in large city supermarkets, but if you see it, don’t skimp and buy a couple of pieces to try, you should like it.

Many have not even heard of such a fruit as lychee, and even more so have no idea what to do with it after purchasing it. Externally, lychee resembles something between a rough nut or a small ball of bright red-brick color.

It's hard to choose something you've never tried, but experts advise exactly rich color fruits are riper and tastier. Lychee in its peel does not smell of anything; its aroma becomes noticeable only after removing the top inedible hard layer.

Having made a shallow cut, you will see the pulp of the fruit - a jelly-like mass of a cloudy cream color. A little unusual, but quite appetizing, especially considering the subtle pink-fruity aroma that this pulp exudes.

Then turn on taste buds: delicate sweet and sour taste, with notes of grape, citrus and mint, very refreshing and original. Inside the lychee there is a fairly large seed, reminiscent in color and shape of an acorn, which can be easily removed.

In our country, lychees will most likely be eaten exclusively fresh, in order to taste and experience the unique exotic bouquet.

But in the homeland of the fruit, in China, the fruit is as common as our plums ( Lychee, by the way, is also called Chinese plum). It is widely used in cooking and medicine. They prepare jams, desserts, compotes, tinctures, wine and much more.

Dried lychees are called nuts. The fruit does not store well - for several days, but when peeled it only lasts for a few hours.

A little history

Lychee, as already mentioned, comes from China, where it was known as far back as 2 centuries BC. Today it is cultivated not only in Chinese territories, but also in Thailand, Japan, Australia, South America, and Africa.

It is believed that lychees were brought to Europe by the 17th century. They began to call him " dragon eye».

The similarity is striking if you cut the fruit in half lengthwise - the cut will exactly imitate the aforementioned eye: the dark shell of the peel, the jelly-like whitish flesh and the central oval bone - the pupil.

Every year in mid-June, the Lychee Festival is held in Thailand, during which fairs, festivities, processions and the Miss Lychee beauty contest are organized.

In our latitudes, lychees can only be grown in greenhouses or at home by germinating a seed ripe fruit. The cultivation technology is quite specific and complex, and the fruits can appear at best 8-11 years after planting.

Chemical composition

The chemical composition will help reveal: why it is so rich exotic fruit, and what value the human body can gain from its use.

The energy value of 100 g of raw fruits is no more than 65 kilocalories– an excellent diet and addition to the diet while losing weight.

Vitamins and minerals in 100 grams of lychee:
ascorbic acid – 72 mg;
folic acid (B9) – 14 mcg;
phylloquinone (K) – 0.4 μg;
vitamin PP – 0.6 mg;
choline – 7 mg;
vitamin E – 0.07 mg;
riboflavin (B2) – 0.07 mg;
pyridoxine (B6) – 0.1 mg;
protein part – 0.83 g;
fats – 0.44 g;
carbohydrates (including saccharides) – 16.5 g;
fiber – 1.3 g;
ash part – 0.44 g;
water – 81.75 g;
acids – 0.09 g;
minerals: calcium, selenium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, potassium, copper, sodium.

Rich chemical composition allows lychee to be widely used in folk medicine. Chinese and Indian healers know thousands of diseases that can be cured with the help of this amazing fruit.

Read more about what you can give to the body by consuming fresh lychees or preparations based on them.

1. Lychee copes well with coughs and inflammation of the tonsils, and vitamin C promotes a speedy recovery from colds and strengthens the body.

2. and PP are indispensable for the prevention of atherosclerosis. Nicotinic acid dilates blood vessels, improves their permeability, neutralizes cholesterol, and fights thrombosis.

3. Fruits are the strongest aphrodisiac, known to humanity for many centuries.

4. Lychee seeds effectively relieve pain from neuralgia and act as a general pain reliever.

5. Also, crushed bones restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

6. The fruit, which promotes weight loss and weight normalization, activates metabolic processes.

7. Chinese medicine uses lychee extract to make anti-cancer drugs.

8. Lychee stimulates hematopoietic processes.

9. Helps heart disease.

10. The fiber contained in lychee is indispensable for the proper and proper functioning of the stomach.

11. 8-10 lychee fruits can normalize blood sugar levels - fruit is good for diabetics.

12. Since lychee contains a lot of nicotinic acid, which dilates blood vessels, it is recommended to increase lactation. At the same time, do not forget about caution and moderation.

13. In oriental medicine, lychees are often used to improve the health of the kidneys, liver and lungs.

As for contraindications to consuming lychee, there are none.. A negative reaction of the body is possible only in the case of individual intolerance or exceeding reasonable standards when consuming unusual fruits.

Those with ulcers suffering from gastritis and duodenitis should try lychee carefully and a little at a time.

For everyone else, consuming “dragon’s eye” once or twice a week, apart from benefits and gastronomic pleasure, does not threaten anything. Be healthy.

Few people doubt how great the benefits of lychee berries are, but everything is good only in moderation. The temptation to eat plenty of berries is great, but such “experiments” end in eating disorders and poisoning, and the resulting aversion to berries cannot always be overcome, although lychee is a unique and quite affordable product.

Lychee - health benefits and harms

The berry has a pleasant tart aroma and a pronounced sour-sweet taste. The lumpy, dense peel hides a juicy, tender, watery pulp that “melts” in the mouth and perfectly quenches thirst. Great content minerals and vitamins convinces people to by example What are the benefits of lychee when they regularly add berries to food or prepare an independent dish from them. The fruits are capable of:

cleanse blood vessels from cholesterol plaques, restore blood circulation (for cardiovascular pathologies);
normalize blood sugar levels (with diabetes mellitus);
provide the body with a daily set of vitamins: A, B, C, PP, K, E and minerals: magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, fluorine, etc. (in case of exhaustion, weakened immunity, postoperative conditions);
restore metabolism (for obesity, disorders hormonal levels);
relieve gastrointestinal diseases (constipation, diarrhea, and stomach, gastritis, reflux);
cleanse the body of toxic and poisonous substances in a short time (for food poisoning, alcohol intoxication, congestion in the intestines).

ABOUT harmful properties Nothing is known about exotic fruits, but they are not recommended for use by people who have an allergic reaction to lychee in the form of skin irritation or inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth. You can check your sensitivity to the product by eating 1-2 fruits and waiting a few hours. If this does not negatively affect your physical well-being, lychees can be safely added to your daily menu.

Lychee seed - benefits and harm

Lychee fruit is consumed fresh, dried, or frozen, but the benefit of the seed lies in the concentration of beneficial substances that enter the human body in the form of powder. The oblong seeds are dried and thoroughly crushed. Powder from the seeds has analgesic properties and helps with:

intestinal diseases;
orchitis;
neuralgia;
metabolic disorders in the body.

However, consuming seeds in excess amounts can lead to serious poisoning. Medical experts are inclined to believe that they contain, in addition to useful, toxic substances. Before using seed powder for medicinal purposes, you should consult a specialist. It will clarify in which cases lychee is beneficial and in which it is harmful.

Lychee fruit - beneficial properties of the peel

Looking at the unsightly dry skin of the berries, people are puzzled as to why lychee peel is useful if it quickly deteriorates when picked and does not have such a pleasant taste as the pulp. The peel is tough in appearance, but has a fragile shell that is damaged when pressed with fingers. It is rich in coarse fiber and contains diuretic components. Based on the peel, decoctions are prepared to help get rid of excess liquid.

What vitamins are in lychee?

Berries contain a whole storehouse of useful substances. The number of kcal in 100 g of product is 76. The water content in the pulp is 81%. Lychee fruits contain vitamins in combination with a set of minerals. This:

vitamin C (improves the condition of the skin, nails and hair, normalizes metabolic processes in the body);
vitamin B (regulates the activity of the nervous system, restores cell metabolism);
vitamin PP (participates in lipid metabolism);
vitamin E (it is called the “beauty vitamin” - promotes rejuvenation, improves the condition of skin and hair; fights free radicals, preventing them from affecting fatty acids).

The list is supplemented by minerals:

zinc;
manganese;
zinc.

Benefits of lychee for women

Eating the fruit by women gives an amazing effect: within a few months, fine wrinkles on the skin disappear, it becomes toned and elastic, and cellulite disappears. Brittle, lifeless hair regains its former strength and stops falling out. Symptoms of genitourinary diseases disappear: cystitis, urethritis, endometritis, candidiasis. Lychee berries are also used for weight loss (they normalize and regulate water-salt metabolism).

Lychee for weight loss

Excessive consumption of fatty, salty, spicy, rich foods; disordered eating leads to gastrointestinal problems and obesity. You can emerge victorious from this situation by starting to eat at the same time, using as many vegetables and fruits as possible for preparing dishes. When discussing the benefits of lychee berries, it is easy to understand its benefits:

Contains a large amount coarse fiber and pectin - creates a quick feeling of fullness and suppresses appetite.
Restores metabolism.
In combination with physical exercise, it accelerates the process of burning fat cells.
Up to 250 g of berries are recommended for daily consumption for adults. This amount of fruit is enough to gradually get rid of excess fat.
The berry contains a sufficient amount of fructose to process it into glucose, on which brain function depends.

Harm to lychee

Like other exotic fruits, lychee has contraindications, ignoring which leads to dangerous health consequences:

The berry should not be consumed by people with kidney failure or severe liver disease.
Lychee is not recommended for children under 3 years of age.
The fruits are prohibited for people who are allergic to substances contained in the pulp and peel of the fruit.
With great caution, lychees can be added to the menu for pregnant women - activation of metabolic processes in rare cases provokes miscarriages.

Is your immune system weakened? Are you overweight and all the problems associated with it? Is your blood pressure rising, are there signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia, are you feeling general weakness and loss of strength? All of these problems are eliminated with regular consumption of lychee. A fruit whose beneficial properties were known to Chinese healers back in the 2nd century BC. e., is still actively used in oriental medicine.

Fresh lychee fruits are increasingly appearing on the shelves of our supermarkets during the season. Do not miss out on this valuable for health and simply very delicious product. Why do both doctors and nutritionists unanimously recommend including Chinese plums in the daily menu? Let's figure it out together.

Compound

The exotic oriental fruit is especially rich in vitamin PP (nicotinic acid), which is involved in the metabolic and regenerative processes of the body, supports the activity of the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. With a lack of this substance, we are at risk of atherosclerosis and early dementia. In addition, lychee contains vitamins C, K, E and group B. A rather rare combination, we note.

If we talk about mineral salts, then most of all in the Chinese plum there is potassium and magnesium, there is also iron, phosphorus, calcium, fluorine, copper and zinc.

80% of the fruit consists of water, which allows it to be classified as a dietary product. Despite the high level of carbohydrates and sugars, lychee, even in large quantities, will not harm the figure, while at the same time quenching hunger and thirst well.

Exotic fruits are also valued for their presence:

dietary fiber;
pectin substances (natural enterosorbents);
organic acids;
antioxidants, among which oligonol, used to combat cancer, is considered the most valuable.

Calorie content

Sweet, well-satisfying after mental or physical exertion, lychee has absolutely no calories. 100 g of fruit contains only 65 kcal. This, of course, does not mean that you can eat kilograms of it, otherwise you can provoke an allergic reaction.

Moderation is good in everything.

Why is it useful?

Only peeled and pitted Chinese plum pulp is eaten. And this is where an article about how to eat lychees will come in handy. However, other parts of this unique plant are also used for medicinal purposes.

Fruit

Official medicine recommends lychee as a cough emollient. It is also known that due to the high content of oligonol, the fruits are a natural immunostimulant, inhibiting any pathological processes occurring in cells, including the formation of cancerous tumors.
Lychee is effective for viral diseases, colds and various types of inflammation. It has a general strengthening effect on the body, increasing its resistance to adverse external factors.

This healing fruit from China also helps with problems such as:

disruptions in the functioning of the intestines, primarily atony and constipation;
gastritis;
metabolic disease;
excess weight;
diabetes;
anemia and anemia;
increased fragility of bones and teeth;
excess cholesterol and blockage of blood vessels;
improper functioning of the cardiovascular system;
hypertension;
nervous disorders;
chronic fatigue syndrome and decreased performance;
skin rashes of various types.

The flavonoids contained in lychee have a powerful rejuvenating effect. With regular consumption of the fruit, you can notice how the skin becomes fresher and cleaner, nails and hair become stronger, and you feel cheerful and energized.

In eastern countries, the Chinese plum is considered a strong aphrodisiac, calling it nothing more than “the fruit of love.” For example, Indian newlyweds were always treated to this fruit on their wedding day, believing that then the first wedding night would go off “without a hitch.”

To maximize the benefits of lychee for the body, you need to eat it fresh or squeeze the juice. Dried fruit practically does not lose its properties. But canned fruits are more of a delicacy than a truly healing product.

Peel

Not only the pulp can be consumed for your own health. Lychee peel also has beneficial properties.
It is dried and added to herbal teas indicated for neuroses, depression or decreased tone. A drink made from the peel without any additives helps with swelling - it removes excess fluid well. They also drink it for intestinal diseases of a bacterial nature, or for inflammation of the throat and upper respiratory tract.

The decoction can be prepared at home.

The lychee peel is dried in the open air and then ground in a coffee grinder.
1 tbsp. l. raw materials are poured with a glass of boiling water and left for 10 - 15 minutes.
The resulting drink is filtered. Take 3 times a day, ¼ cup, before meals.

Useful properties of the seed

Chinese plum seeds are considered poisonous and unsuitable for food. However, Chinese traditional healers often use seed powder as part of painkillers, as well as in the treatment of neuralgia, orchitis, metabolic disorders and indigestion.

The product is also used against helminths, although its effectiveness has not been scientifically proven.

Preparations from lychee seeds should be taken only after consultation with a doctor.

Lychee extract

Finds application in the cosmetics industry. The extract has moisturizing, protective and strengthening properties.

It is used to prepare:

anti-aging creams and masks
sunscreen cosmetics
makeup remover milk
lotions for problem skin
restorative serums, shampoos and conditioners
styling products

Much less often, elite black teas are flavored with lychee extract.

At home, you can make masks from the pulp of fresh lychee. They cleanse and whiten the skin well, eliminate fine wrinkles and improve muscle tone, relieving us of age-related changes in the oval of the face.

Benefits for weight loss

Chinese plum is included in diets to combat excess weight. The good thing about this fruit is that, by saturating the body with carbohydrates, it simultaneously speeds up metabolism and prevents fat deposits.
Lychee contains a lot of water - this helps cleanse and remove toxins that cause overeating. The fruits are low in calories, but they eliminate the feeling of hunger for a long time, reducing the amount of food eaten per day.

Of course, lychee is too exotic for us to have a mono-diet on it. But it is possible and even necessary to introduce the product into the traditional weight loss menu. It will support the body in a stressful situation that arises with any restrictions in the usual way of eating.

Product harm: when is it better to give up lychee

Like any fruit that does not grow in our latitudes, and therefore is “unfamiliar” to the body at the genetic level, the Chinese plum can cause allergies. Lychee is not recommended to be given to children under 3 years of age, and in older age it should be offered with caution, several pieces per day. Unripe fruits are especially dangerous for children; they cause poisoning.

The fruit is contraindicated:

for gout
pregnant and lactating women
persons with renal failure

Diabetics should consume the fruit at small quantities, as it dramatically lowers blood sugar levels.

To summarize, we can say with confidence that when moderate consumption Lychee can only bring benefits, and the potential risk will be minimized. The main thing is to choose and store this fruit correctly.

Eat right, know moderation in everything and be healthy!

na-mangale.ru

Lychee: calorie content, how to choose, how to store, how to eat, health benefits and harm

Lychee: health benefits and harms

Good afternoon, my dear readers! Lychee is a fruit of the Sapindaceae family, not quite familiar to our area, well unknown. It is imported to us mainly from the African Republic, from America and from Asia.

This fruit can be found on sale under different names, in particular, as Chinese plum, laysi, liji, lisi.

The overseas fruit is distinguished by its small size, lumpy, brick-colored, dense skin and juicy, jelly-like sweet pulp.

Let's figure out whether there are any benefits to lychee fruits, how to use them correctly and where is the best place to store the exotic product.

Lychee: calories

Lychee is an overseas fruit belonging to low-calorie foods. Calorie content in this case will depend on the type (variety) and growing conditions of the fruit. On average, 100 grams of lychee pulp contains from 65 to 75 kcal.

Lychee: beneficial properties

Lychee is a product with oriental roots, and therefore, for the most part, it is used in the preparation of various medicinal recipes by healers in Asian countries. They recommend consuming 7-10 lychee fruits per day:

To boost immunity;

To lower sugar;

To cleanse the blood of cholesterol plaques;

For diseases of the pancreas and liver;

For constipation;

If the intestines are not working properly;

For the prevention of kidney and lung diseases;

For the treatment of tuberculosis;

For weight loss;

For the prevention of heart disease;

For the prevention of atherosclerosis;

To quench thirst;

For the treatment of cancer;

To improve potency and libido.

Lychee fruit: beneficial properties of the seed

As a rule, lychees are consumed fresh and only the pulp of the product. Few people know that the fruit seed also contains special benefits.

Once in the body, the powdered composition (it must be mixed with other products), and it is in this form that you can consume lychee seeds, has an analgesic effect, and also helps:

With orchitis;

For intestinal disorders and some other gastrointestinal diseases;

For neuralgia;

In case of metabolic disorders.

Among other things, Chinese healers prepare tea and decoctions from seeds ground into powder, adding some other ingredients to the powder, which they then consume for medicinal purposes, usually to prevent worms and treat diarrhea. However, there is no evidence yet that these remedies really help cope with these diseases.

Attention! Representatives of traditional medicine claim that in addition to beneficial properties, lychee seeds also contain poison, which, if consumed in large quantities, can lead to serious poisoning. Before you start using exotic fruit seed powder, get professional advice from your doctor.

How to choose lychee fruit?

1. To choose a tasty and juicy, ripe lychee, you should first carefully examine the fruits. Fruits with deep red skin are considered good. At the same time, there should not be any dark or rotten spots on them. The color should be uniform throughout the fruit.

2. And the second rule, when choosing an exotic product, touch it. Ripe fruits are soft to the touch.

Lychee fruit. Photo. How it grows.

How to store lychee at home?

1. It is not difficult to store lychee at home, in principle, like any other fruit. It is enough to put the food from the bag on a plate and place it directly in the room in the coolest place, that is, not near the stove or electric kettles. Remember, mature lychees spoil very quickly.

2. If you are going to eat the purchased fruits in 1-2 days, store them in the room.

3. If you purchased the products in advance and want to serve them to your guests after 3-5 days, then put the lychees without a bag in the refrigerator, in a special compartment for storing fresh vegetables and fruits.

4. Canned and dried lychees have the longest shelf life, and therefore, if you want to preserve the product for several months, simply prepare a sweet dessert from it in the form of jam or dry the fruit, first removing the peel from it.

How to properly clean lychees?

How to eat lychees correctly?

In Asia, lychees are typically used to make vinegar and wine. Europeans usually add the pulp of this fruit to various drinks and desserts.

Meanwhile, some people eat lychees fresh, but in order to really appreciate the full taste and juiciness of this fruit, it is important to know how to peel it correctly, and this can be done in several ways.

1. Take the fruit, make a small cut with a knife in the area of the stalk, remove the skin from the product by picking it up with a fingernail, cut the pulp in half, remove the bone and eat the fruit.

2. Take one fruit in your hands, press it a little in the middle with your fingers and turn the peel clockwise with one hand and counterclockwise with the other, removing the skin, thus also removing the bone from the pulp and then consuming the product. Do similar procedures with each fruit.

3. Another option for cleaning and consuming lychee is to carefully cut off the shell of the fruit with a sharp knife, then cut into the flesh, remove the pit and eat the whole pulp.

Lychee: what does it taste like?

The small, oval-shaped lychee fruits taste very juicy and resemble a mixture of strawberries and pineapple. It's very refreshing and light taste, which leaves behind an amazing aftertaste.

It is worth noting that well-ripened fruits have this taste, that is, fruits with a uniform dark red peel.

Attention! If you purchased unripe or spoiled lychee, you should not eat it. This may cause poisoning. When buying exotic fruits, always check them for the presence of extraneous brown or any other spots, as well as for softness.

Lychee: contraindications

A large number of people who know about the benefits of lychee believe that this fruit simply cannot cause harm, and in this they are very mistaken.

Video: Lychee: how to peel, how to eat, beneficial properties

ori-pvv.com

Lychee: beneficial properties and harm to health

Long gone are the days when store shelves sold monotonous items. These days you can get almost everything, including exotic fruits. These include lychee, which can bring both benefits and harm to health. LYCHI BENEFITS AND HARM | what are the benefits of lychee, the beneficial properties of lychee calorie content

The second name of the fruit is Chinese plum. Its fruits are ovoid in shape and have a hard, tuberous skin. Inside there is white or cream-colored pulp, which in its consistency is a bit like jelly.

The taste of lychee is sweetish, but with a slight sourness. This is undoubtedly refreshing, invigorating and adds strength. And inside the fruit there is a large bone that is not eaten.

Healthy lychee fruit

It is worth noting that the presented exotic fruit consists of more than 80% liquid. At the same time, all biologically active elements are perfectly balanced with each other.

Interesting: Medicinal properties and contraindications of lingonberry leaves

Nutritionists also note that 100 g of fresh lychee fruits contain:

0.3 g dietary fiber;
0.4 g fat;
0.8 g proteins;
16.5 g carbohydrates.

This composition, so to speak, is considered optimal for human body, so if you don’t lean on the berries too much, they won’t harm your health.

Lychee: why it should be included in your diet

Chinese plum contains quite a lot of useful vitamins - thiamine, riboflavin, choline, pyridoxine, folate, ascorbic acid, alpha tocopherol, nicotinic acid and phylloquinone.

This already suggests that lychee has invaluable health benefits, although in some cases it can be harmful. But first, it’s still worth focusing on the positive aspects.

So, Chinese plum is most often used:

in case of malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract;
during metabolic disorders;
for the treatment of obesity and healthy weight loss;
to solve the problem of long-term constipation.

At the same time, the beneficial properties of lychee are used in cosmetology. For example, berry extract is added to creams and lotions in order to improve the condition of dry and sensitive skin, slow down aging and reduce harmful influence environment.

How does lychee grow?

Unfortunately, lychee cannot be used in making homemade cosmetics. Therefore, you will have to spend a little time to find already finished products.

Can you eat Chinese plum if you have diabetes?

Lychees may be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes, but you should be careful not to harm your health. So it's worth paying attention to some details.

Exotic berries really help keep your blood glucose levels under control. But only if you consume no more than 10 of them per day. You can only eat fresh fruits, since canned lychees contain a large amount of granulated sugar.

A few words about prevention

Exotic berries from China are suitable not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of all the above diseases. You just need to make sure there are no contraindications and follow simple recommendations.

Lychee contains a large amount of vitamins

Who is dangerous to eat lychee fruits?

Chinese plum should not be given to young children and adolescents under 14 years of age. This warning appeared after an incident in India when children, without parental supervision, ate pulp and soon died. Unfortunately, not a single doctor could name the exact cause of death.

People with:

poor diet (malnutrition);
low level blood glucose;
gout;
allergies to exotic fruits.

In order for lychees to bring only health benefits and not harm the body, they should not be eaten on an empty stomach. You should also make sure that the fruits are ripe and immediately get rid of the seeds.

Chinese plum: how not to make a mistake when buying

When buying an exotic berry in a store, you should make sure that the peel has a “pure” red or burgundy tint. That is, there should be no green or white inclusions. At the same time, you should not be afraid of yellowish spots - their presence is considered acceptable.

Green fruits should be immediately put aside - they will no longer ripen and will remain tasteless. Eating them will result in poisoning at best.

Lychee juice

And a little more about the peel - it is dense, slightly pliable. That is, in the case when it is pressed with force with your fingers, it should bend a little. When the peel is dry, this is a sign of a low-quality product. The risk of buying overripe or rotten berries increases.

How to properly peel a Chinese plum

At the very beginning, the fruits are thoroughly washed with cool water. If necessary, you can rub the peel with your fingers to remove dust and dirt. Afterwards, dry them with a towel and let them lie for at least half a minute.

If the fruit is ripe, the peel will have a dark red tint, and the “shell” will feel very hard to the touch. It is enough just to pick it up with a knife from the side of the stalk to make it easy to peel the fruit.

Should I throw away the peel?

After cleaning, it is best to dry the “shell” and store it in a separate bag for medicinal purposes. Doctors from China are confident that lychee peel can provide almost the same health benefits as the fruit itself. And this is almost without any risk.

For example, from dried cloves you can make a tincture for a sore throat and to increase the body’s protective functions. To do this, just pour 200 ml of boiling water over a spoonful of crusts, bring it to a “pleasant” temperature and take this drink 2 times a day immediately before meals.

How to peel fruit

In order to avoid the formation of tumors, some experts recommend preparing a decoction of a tablespoon of lychee peel and the same amount of lemongrass leaves. The resulting mixture must be poured with a liter of boiling water, put on fire for 10 minutes, strain and drink 200 ml up to 4 times before meals.

What is the normal amount of fruit eaten per day?

If we are talking about an adult, then the weight of lychee should not exceed 300 g. Children can be given 100 g of the product with great care, but it is best to start with a smaller amount.

Thus, lychee will not cause any harm - a person will only be able to experience its invaluable benefits for health, both physical and mental.

Storage rules at home

The health benefits and harms of lychee directly depend on how the fruits are stored after purchase. After all, at room temperature, the berries remain fresh and edible for only 3 days.

In the refrigerator or in a cool place at 7°C, lychees can be stored for a week to 10 days. But this is only if the outer shell remains completely intact and untouched all this time.

Lychee fruit: photo

Lychees can be eaten raw or added to desserts - cakes, pancake fillings, jellies or homemade sweets. But, again, such treats will not last too long. So you don’t need to prepare a lot of servings in case the dish isn’t to everyone’s taste.

Lychee fruit. Benefit and harm.

diwis.ru

The benefits and harms of lychee fruit for the body

Lychee is one of the most delicious, sweet and juicy fruits that can be seen along with mangoes in the markets during scorching sunny days. summer season. Lychee fruits are simply adorable when grown on trees and are an eye-catcher for many fruit lovers. Lychee is used in many healthy dishes, desserts, juices and ice cream.

A little about the fruit

It is a medium-sized evergreen tree growing 40-50 feet tall, sometimes reaching up to 100 feet tall. Its oval or round shaped fruit is about 4-5 centimeters long, 3 centimeters in diameter and weighs about 10 grams. The outer coating can be easily removed after the berries have ripened. The fleshy part of the fruit is very juicy and sweet.

The plant belongs to the Sapindaceae family and has the botanical name Lesbian lychee. This tropical fruit is typically cultivated in Southern China, which is the birthplace of the lychee. In China, fruit has a special meaning for people. Much has been written in the ancient texts of China regarding the importance of lychee. It is now grown in all parts of the world. In America, the plant is widely cultivated in Hawaii, Florida and California.

For cancer prevention

Lychee contains sufficient amounts of antioxidants and phyto-nutrients like flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol), vitamin C, polyphenols and proanthocyanidins. Free radicals are the culprits of oxidative stress, which changes the nature of normal cells into cancer cells. These antioxidants neutralize free radicals responsible for cancer and inflammation and prevent the functioning of degenerative diseases. Beta-carotene contained in lychee also fights most types of cancer. Lychee prevents colon cancer due to the presence of sufficient fiber, pectin and water. This fruit also treats breast, prostate and liver cancer.

Lychee for skin care

Lychee is delicious fruit which improves skin condition. Its fruits are effective means to cleanse the skin, which leads to less acne formation. It is a rich source of vitamin C, and in addition, lychee is famous for its large amount of water in its composition, which makes the skin well hydrated. This fruit is also good for the skin due to its nutrients such as thiamine, copper and niacin. Thiamine ensures the metabolism of fats and proteins. Copper helps the healing process of damaged cells while niacin hydrates the skin.

Medicinal use

Lychee contains an important phytochemical called oligonol, which has antioxidant and anti-flu properties. Lychee improves blood flow to organs, is good for the skin, prevents the effects of ultraviolet rays and also helps in weight loss. Sufficient amounts of antioxidants and phyto-nutrients like flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol), vitamin C, polyphenols and proanthocyanidin allow it to fight free radicals that lead to the development of many diseases.

Lychee for a healthy heart

Lychee is a rich source of antioxidants in the form of vitamin C, oligonol and has the second highest percentage of polyphenols among fruits. They all reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, thereby reducing the likelihood of heart-related problems such as heart attack, stroke and hypertension. Being a fibrous fruit, it controls fat formation which is also good for the heart.

The potassium found in lychee is also beneficial for this organ as it tends to regulate the heartbeat by balancing electrolytes and maintaining sodium levels. At the same time, copper is effective in creating red blood cells. It is recommended to take 1 glass of lychee daily - this will help normalize the heartbeat and prevent all types of cardiovascular diseases.

For strong bones

Lychee is rich in those minerals that are good for healthy bones. The presence of phosphorus and magnesium helps make bones stronger, while copper and manganese reduce the tendency of bones to become brittle. Zinc and copper increase the effectiveness of vitamin D, which is an integral part of healthy and strong bones.

To improve digestion

Lychee is known for its ability to cleanse the stomach. It helps treat heartburn and burning sensation. Lychee seeds have an astringent property and are often used to kill intestinal worms. The hairy part of the lychee contains a lot of pectin, which removes toxins from the intestines and improves colon health. Fiber and pectin increase stool bulk and prevent constipation and colon cancer. They stimulate peristalsis, as well as the secretion of gastric juice.

Benefits of Lychee Juice

Lychee juice also has many health benefits and is used as medicine. Since this seasonal fruit, you should try to consume its juice during June, July and August. Some of the amazing health benefits of lychee juice are given below.

Lychee juice has no fat or cholesterol but is rich in stomach-filling fiber. Thus, this drink is beneficial for those who want to lose weight.
It acts as an anti-aging agent due to its high vitamin C content and sufficient amount of water.
Lychee juice helps keep the muscles well hydrated and protects the skin from acne, wrinkles, blemishes and so on.
Lychee is good for hair as adequate vitamin C content ensures blood circulation in the scalp area, which helps nourish the hair follicles.
Its juice strengthens the immune system as vitamin C prevents colds, coughs and flu.
It improves metabolism due to the content of oligonol, vitamin C and sufficient fiber.
Proanthocyanidins from lychee juice have antiviral properties.
Lychee prevents anemia as the fruit is rich in copper, which is essential for the development of RBC.
Helps fight stress as it contains vitamin B6 in abundance.

Precautionary measures

Lychees can give the following side effects. This fruit contains a fair amount of sugar, so diabetic patients should consume it with caution as blood sugar imbalance may occur. By its nature, lychee falls into the category of foods that can cause an imbalance in the proportions of nutrients in the body. Excessive consumption of lychee can lead to nosebleeds, fever and sore throat.

Diets and healthy eating 12.04.2018

Exotic fruits have become frequent guests on supermarket shelves. But still among them there are such unusual species that may surprise. Today we will talk about the lychee fruit. This unusual fruit, rich in nutrients. My friends treated me to this fruit, I really remembered it and liked the taste. This is a small fruit, but, as they say, “small is the spool, but expensive.”

If you include this product in your diet, blood circulation improves, the immune system is strengthened, and blood pressure is normalized. Also, its use has a beneficial effect on the condition of our skin. Let's learn together about its beneficial properties, health benefits and harms of lychee!

What is lychee

Lychee is a tropical fruit tree that grows in hot Africa, Asia and America. There are also other names - liji, lisi, laysi, Chinese plum. Look at what the exotic lychee fruit looks like in the photo.

In fruits oval shape, and the juicy and sweet core is surrounded by a dark red peel. The lychee shell looks like a fairy-tale dragon skin due to its small tubercles. Outwardly, the peel may seem very thick and dense, but it peels off easily, revealing the tender pulp of the fruit. What does lychee taste like? It tastes like grapes. Very sweet, juicy, jelly-like flesh.

Many people are interested in knowing how and where lychee grows. It turns out that the fruit grows on trees whose height can reach 30 meters. These fruit trees outwardly resemble the usual willow due to their spreading crown. The berries ripen in clusters and are harvested from the beginning of May. Trees grow in China, Thailand, Vietnam and some other countries. The fruit ripening season is July–August.

More than 4 thousand years ago, in the Imperial Court of China, the exotic lychee fruit was served as a rare delicacy. In Asian countries, the fruit is called “dragon’s eye” and is used in folk medicine.

Now all over the world, soft and fleshy lychees are added to cocktails and dishes because of their unique floral aroma, which to many people resembles the scent of a rose.

Is lychee a fruit or a berry?

I have always been interested in why lychees are called both a fruit and a berry. It always seemed to me that since they grow on a tree, that means they are a fruit. But everything turned out to be much more interesting! I am sure that you will also be interested in knowing whether lychee is a fruit or a berry?

The classification of products in cooking and biology is different. In botanical reference books, lychee is called a single-seeded berry. Indeed, it is generally accepted that fruits grow on trees, and berries grow on small bushes. Therefore, the lychee fruit is an exotic fruit in everyday definition and at the same time a berry in biological terminology.

Chemical composition and calorie content

The beneficial properties of lychee fruit are due to its complex composition, rich in vitamins, macro- and microelements. 75% of this fruit consists of liquid, and 100 g contains:

proteins – 0.8 g;
fats – 0.4 g;
carbohydrates – 16.5 g.

The advantage of lychee berries is that although they are sweet due to the large amount of mono- and disaccharides (carbohydrates), the calorie content is only 66 kcal per 100 g. This means that this product can be safely included in dietary nutrition.

In addition to the low calorie content of lychees, they are rich in vitamins necessary for the normal functioning of the body:

B vitamins (thiamine, pyridoxine, niacin), which play an important role in cellular metabolism;
vitamin E (tocopherol) – a powerful antioxidant;
vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – growth and regeneration of tissue cells, strengthening bones and hair;
vitamin K (phylloquinone) – normalizes blood clotting.

Everyone knows that fresh fruits are not just healthy, but essential for good health, and lychees are no exception. Let's take a closer look at the reasons why you should include it in your diet.

Strong immunity

In recent years, issues of low immunity, especially in young children, have been increasingly raised by doctors. In many ways, the protective functions of the body depend on a person’s lifestyle and nutrition. You can often see commercials about miracle drugs that boost immunity.

I am convinced that there is no need to take synthetic drugs when you can eat fresh fruit. The main benefit of lychee is that this fruit saturates the body with the daily requirement of ascorbic acid. This means that the fruit gives our immune system powerful impulse. Due to this, the production of leukocytes is stimulated - substances that act as a protective barrier for the body.

Role in digestion

Lychee contains a large amount of dietary fiber, which improves food digestion and motility of intestinal smooth muscles. This exotic fruit stimulates the production of gastric juice, and due to this process, the absorption of nutrients is more efficient. Therefore, lychees are recommended for use for other intestinal disorders.

Blood pressure control

Hypertension has become a socially significant problem throughout the world. According to statistics, in Russia 48% of men and 40% of women are diagnosed with hypertension. Patients are well aware of the importance of constantly monitoring blood pressure levels. And lychee can help with this.

The fruit is rich in microelements that remove excess water and sodium from the body. By maintaining fluid balance, heart rate is normalized, which often increases in hypertensive patients.

By regularly consuming lychee, we significantly reduce the risk of developing hypertension.

Source of copper

During clinical studies, scientists found that lychee contains copper. The benefit of this substance lies in its ability to accelerate blood circulation during intense physical activity and increase the body's resistance to the action of viruses and bacteria.

In addition, it is reliably known that copper, which is part of lychee, is involved in the production of female sex hormones and tyrosine, necessary for normal mental activity. It turns out that lychee provides tremendous assistance to all organ systems.

Lychee for weight loss

As I already said, the calorie content of this tropical berry is very low (66 kcal per 100 g), so it is ideal for people who are overweight. How does it work?

The thing is that lychee contains a large amount of water and, while the concentration of fat is minimal. These fruits saturate the body for a long time and have a mild diuretic effect. All this in a single complex works as an invaluable aid in the fight for the treasured numbers on the scales.

Antitumor effect

Raising the topic of the beneficial properties and harms of lychee fruit, I would like to emphasize that its main advantage is that it contains powerful antioxidants and flavonoids. According to the results of scientific research, these substances can prevent the development of malignant cancer.

Aphrodisiac

In India and China, lychee fruit is considered an aphrodisiac and, called the “fruit of love,” is used as a means of stimulating potency in men. And in Thailand, during the harvest, a vibrant “Lychee Festival” is held. A beauty contest is held and receiving the title “Miss Lychee” is very honorable.

Lychee during pregnancy

Many doctors continue to debate whether pregnant women can eat lychees. Nutritionists convince that a fruit rich in vitamins cannot harm the expectant mother and baby. Gynecologists remind us of the importance of maintaining a sense of proportion. Therefore, if you are in an interesting position, carefully select fresh lychee fruits and do not overuse them.

The only contraindication should be noted possible allergies, individual intolerance.

Use for medicinal purposes. Who benefits from lychee?

The benefits and harms of lychee fruit have been studied since the times of ancient China, so it is not surprising that this fruit is credited with miraculous healing power. Eastern healers used this tropical berries for the following purposes:

in the treatment of kidney or liver dysfunction;
for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis;
prescribed to patients with asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis;
prescribed to diabetics to reduce blood glucose levels;
to restore strength after physical exertion;
for neuroses and depression;
for the treatment of anemia;
to improve immunity.

This fruit is added to dietary supplements and made from essential oil and extract. In folk medicine, not only the juicy pulp of lychee is used, but also the peel for preparing decoctions.

In cosmetology, this berry is actively used to improve skin tone, fight acne, and care for hair. As you can see, lychees are popular for both their taste and healing qualities.

Although the “dragon eye” looks, at first glance, impregnable, it is quite easy to clean. Wash the ripe fruits and remove the thick peel by lifting it with a knife from the side of the stalk. Now you can continue to peel the fruit with your hands, separating a piece of skin at a time. It comes off very easily.

Cut the pulp in half, remove the seed and enjoy the unique taste of lychee. This fruit is eaten fresh, added to ice cream, cocktails, fruit salads, jelly.

How much lychee can you eat a day?

Don't get carried away! As always, we talk about wisdom. Optimally, eating 100 grams of lychee per day is enough. And one more subtlety that we need to know: you need to eat lychees separately from other fruits, so as not to provoke gas formation and discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract.

If you are unfamiliar with this exotic fruit, watch the video “Lychee - Thai Fruit”.

How to choose lychee

Lychees are supplied to Russia mainly from Vietnam and Thailand. Before purchasing, pay attention to the integrity of the shell. The ripe fruit should be the size of a plum and the skin color should be burgundy-red. Do not buy green fruits, as at home they will no longer ripen like the bananas and avocados we are used to.

Ripe lychees exude a rose scent, while spoiled ones have a sickly sweet smell. An overripe fruit will have a dry skin. With these simple tips, you do not risk purchasing stale or unripe fruit.

How to store lychee at home

If you bought this exotic fruit, but did not want to eat it right away, you need to remember the basic rules for storing it. Lychee can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days.

If you are not sure that you will eat them during this time, it is better to transfer the berries to the refrigerator. Under such conditions, lychees retain their beneficial properties and do not spoil for about 10 days. If you want to store them for a longer period, then you can freeze them. In China and India, lychees are often dried and added to preserves. They say that such a delicacy does not lose its healing power.

How to plant and grow lychees from seeds at home

For those who like to grow exotic plants, I suggest watching a video with tips on growing lychee from seed at home and caring for it.

Contraindications and possible harm

Lychees are among those foods that rarely cause adverse reactions. But you still need to take into account who should not eat this fruit.

First of all, this applies to people with individual intolerance to the constituent components. It is impossible to know this in advance, so doctors recommend not to overuse lychee when you first meet it.

This fruit still remains truly exotic for us. Eat one berry and observe how you feel after a few hours. If there are no signs of allergies in the form of skin rash, itching, redness, then you can safely enjoy the taste and aroma of lychee.

Eating fruit with a seed is dangerous to your health. The black kernel of lychee is used in Asian countries in folk medicine only after thorough frying and grinding. In its raw form, the berry contains an increased concentration of hypoglycine, which causes a sharp drop in blood sugar. Doctors warn that eating lychee on an empty stomach is unsafe due to the large amount of organic acids that irritate the intestinal walls.

What does lychee look like?

Where did this tropical fruit come from?

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Beneficial properties of lychee - an exotic fruit from the tropics

Description of lychee

Properties of fruits

Benefits of lychee

Lychee: benefits and harm

How to choose lychee fruits

How to use this fruit

Beneficial properties of lychee

Chemical composition of lychee:

Beneficial properties of lychee

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Contraindications to consuming lychee

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Dangerous properties of passion fruit:

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Dangerous properties of durian:

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Dangerous properties of pitahaya:

Beneficial properties of cherimoya:

Dangerous properties of cherimoya:

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Beneficial properties of lychee:

Dangerous properties of lychee:

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Dangerous properties of annona:

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Lychee - health benefits and harms

Lychee seed - benefits and harm

Lychee fruit - beneficial properties of the peel

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Benefits of lychee for women

Lychee for weight loss

Harm to lychee

Compound

Calorie content

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Fruit

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Useful properties of the seed

Lychee extract

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Lychee: calorie content, how to choose, how to store, how to eat, health benefits and harm

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Lychee fruit: beneficial properties of the seed

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Lychee fruit. Photo. How it grows.

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How to eat lychees correctly?

Lychee: what does it taste like?

Lychee: contraindications

Video: Lychee: how to peel, how to eat, beneficial properties

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Lychee: why it should be included in your diet

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A few words about prevention