Lychee: useful properties, contraindications, benefits and harms. Exotic lychee fruit: useful properties, harm, how to choose and store

Lychee fruits became known to a wide range of Russians in the late 80s of the 20th century, when it became possible to go on border trips to neighboring China. The original name of these fruits - lychee - is Chinese, but the incorrectly transcribed name "lychee" from the English words "lychee", "litchi" has stuck in Russian.

The lychee fruit is a fairly large berry (3-4 cm) with a pimply skin of red-pink color and egg-shaped, from a distance similar to strawberries. Actually, thanks to this, there is another name - Chinese strawberries. These berries grow in bunches of 3-15 pieces, they are harvested in this way: branches with fruits. Individually plucked lychee fruits quickly deteriorate. The tree from which the harvest is harvested is quite high, the average height reaches 15 m. An adult full-fledged tree produces 80-140 kg of fruit per year.

The peel of the berries is dense, but easily peeled off, exposing white or transparent flesh. , it is sweet and sour, reminiscent of the taste of grapes, honey and kiwi at the same time. Having tasted the lychee fruit for the first time, you are surprised at the aftertaste that the juice leaves. Inside the berry is a dark brown elongated bone. True, there are varieties without stones, such are valued more in terms of taste, but it is not often possible to find them. You can eat a lot at a time, they don’t feel heaviness in the stomach, and the calorie content of litchi is low, only 66 kcal per 100 g.

The cultivation of Chinese strawberries (or Chinese plums, as the first Europeans called them) began in southern China, and later spread to all countries of the tropical and subtropical climate. The tree is very whimsical, growing in warm climates in moist but well-drained soil. The first 4-5 years are spent on growing a strong tree, and only then it begins to bear fruit, gradually increasing the yield by its 20th anniversary. Harvest in May-June.

Useful properties of litchi

The lychee fruit not only has a rich flavor composition, but also a large amount of minerals, vitamins, proteins, complex carbohydrates and pure water inside its pulp. The Chinese have long used the berries to treat coughs and enlarged or swollen glands. The benefit of lychee also lies in the fact that it quenches thirst well, regulates the work of the stomach and intestines. By helping to produce gastric juice, it stimulates better digestion of food, thereby preventing the body from gaining excess weight.

Lychee seeds are also used in traditional medicine.

In China, they are used as an analgesic and are used for orchitis and neuralgia. Among the peoples of India, in the form of a powder, lychee seeds are taken for problems with the intestines.

The composition of trace elements has a strengthening effect on the human cardiovascular system and normalizes blood cholesterol levels. The Chinese still consume berries to prevent atherosclerosis.

Undoubtedly, the benefits of lychee for those who are struggling with being overweight. Pulp juice is able to quickly saturate the stomach, and therefore a person consumes less food, often completely unnecessary for him.

The juice is also used to make an extract, which is used in cosmetology to moisturize dry and sensitive skin.

Use in cooking

Of course, just eating berries is a pleasure in itself. But since the berries are not stored for a long time, they are also used in cooking, for the most part, oriental cuisine. In addition, they are simply cleaned and rolled into jars in the form of compotes; used in the production of ice cream and jelly; they make very tasty fruit wine, refreshing juices and soft drinks; as well as sauces, marinades and desserts.

If the harvest turned out to be so rich that the berries still remain, then they are simply dried. In this case, they are called lychee nuts. Outside, a hard peel, and inside, dried pulp with a stone rolls.

Pieces of peeled lychee pulp are added to a glass of champagne to spice up the taste.

Very tasty and lychee syrup. Natural syrup is produced in China, it can be drunk both in pure form and added to other juices, drinks and alcoholic cocktails. European-made lychee syrup can simply be called a fake, since the composition, in addition to water, includes only artificial ingredients.

Lychee harm is only possible due to ordinary overeating. In rare cases, an allergic reaction is possible, but in our time no one is immune from this. It is important to choose the right fruits for eating: in no case should you take berries with a darkened, brown skin, in this case you can easily get poisoned, since, in fact, such berries are already starting to rot.

Growing lychee at home

Many who have tried these tropical fruits, especially amateur gardeners, are eager to grow their tree in their window or yard. Growing lychee is a laborious process, since one must not forget what climate this plant is from. But the matter is not hopeless. It can be grown from seed, from cuttings, and by grafting. The composition of the soil should be such that it is moist, but not waterlogged, that is, with an admixture of, for example, sand. There should be an additional tray under the pot with the plant, where excess water will merge. Germination of the seed occurs at a depth of 2-3 cm in fertile soil and takes 2-3 weeks. Further, the sprout will grow slowly, during the first two years of life it will form a large and strong root system, so it is advisable to transplant it into a deeper pot three times.

Having reached the age of 4-6, the tree can be transplanted into permanent soil or into a large flowerpot, which will be stored in an apartment or winter garden in winter (the tree does not tolerate cold temperatures below 15 degrees). In the summer, a tub with a tree can be taken out to a permanent place in the garden.

There should not be direct sunlight, but it must be. In winter, it is even recommended to illuminate the tree with fitolamps.

Around its 20th anniversary, with proper handling, a tree can give the first small harvest. Basically, this breeding is decorative.

The name of this exotic fruit means "Chinese plum". It is enjoyed by gourmets, used by perfumers and traditional oriental medicine. Tourists in Thailand enjoy tasting the lychee fruit.

It is a tropical evergreen tree. Reminds a willow, height is 12-25 meters.

Lychee is native to the southern provinces of China, which is why it is known as the "Chinese plum". But today the distribution area is the entire subtropical belt of the planet: Latin America, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand. From the last two regions, the fruit comes to Russia.

Fruits (also called lisi, lidzhi, lizhi, lasi, "dragon's eye") are grouped in clusters. There are more than a hundred varieties. The exotic name begs the question: what does the fruit look like? Instances are not larger than 35-40 mm and 15-30 g of weight (about the same). Covered with a reddish crust with pointed pimples, which makes them look like. Inside is a whitish pulp-jelly and a large brown bone.

The taste of fruits from different places is different - from sweet to sour. It depends on where the lychee grows, how much sun and moisture the tree gets during the ripening of the fruit. The timing of fruit picking also varies. Usually it is May-August, in Thailand April-June.

But how to say it correctly - lychee berries or fruits? According to the botanical classification, this is a berry, according to the culinary and household level, it is a fruit.

Its main advantage is maturation time. The lychee season is late spring and early summer, so there are no competitors.

How to eat lychee

The fruit looks exotic, but the process of consuming it is simple. The pulp of the fruit is edible only. How to clean lychee? Simple: the skin is removed from the washed fruit with a knife, picking up from the tail. You can bite. Then they are separated into pieces, manually. The pulp of the fruit is cut in half, the bone is removed. In a ripened high-quality specimen, the peel is removed without problems, the bone is easily separated.

The fruit is consumed in different forms:

1. Fresh as an independent dish or addition to fruit salads, desserts, ice cream, alcoholic or children's cocktails.
2. The pulp of the fruit serves as the basis for sauces for meat, fish, sweet syrups.
3. Fresh or dried peel is added to tea as a flavoring agent.
4. Canned in sugar syrup.
5. The whole fruit is dried, with a bone inside. It turns out a lychee nut.

All methods, except the first, are used in the homeland of the fruit, in Southeast Asia. But they are gaining popularity in the countries where it is exported, including Russia.

You can treat yourself to the exotic Chinese drink kongou. This is a black leaf tea infused with lychee peel. Drink hot or chilled with ice cubes.

Liches are chosen in the same way as ordinary ones. Signs of quality ripe fruits:

• Dense, elastic, without soft areas.
• The skin is shiny, whole, without cracks or breaks. In overripe dried, faded, hardened.
• Skin color dark pink to purple. Brownishness appears in ancient, stale specimens. Green fruits are not worth buying - they will not ripen.
• The aroma is like a rose, the spoiled ones have a cloying sweetness.
• The flesh of the fruit is tender, even watery.

The fruits are endowed with a sweet taste with sourness, sometimes slightly viscous or tart. Connoisseurs compare it with, some varieties are distinguished by flavor notes with a mint, raspberry, strawberry flavor. Or a mix of all at once.

It is possible to save only fruits in bunches - with branches and stalks. At room temperature, the fruit remains fresh for no more than three days, in the refrigerator (2-7 ° C) - up to ten days. If you want to keep longer, you need to freeze, dry or preserve. The Chinese claim that this does not impair the beneficial properties.

Is it possible to eat lychee bones

This part of the lychee benefits and harms health in equal measure. Lychee is eaten without a bone. The nucleoli are toxic but are used by conventional medicine. Chinese healers dry them or calcinate them, grind them into powder. Prescribed for gastrointestinal disorders or for the prevention of worms. The dosage is critical, so self-medication in this way is excluded.

Chemical composition and calorie content

In lychee, the beneficial properties are due to a complex composition of vitamins, macro- and microelements (g / 100 g of pulp):

• Water - 78-83;
• carbohydrates (saccharides) - 14-15;
• proteins - 0.81;
• fats - 0.30;
• fiber - 1.49.

The fruits contain a large number of vitamins that affect the basic functions of the body:

• B1, B2 - cellular metabolism.
• C - high concentration provides growth, cell regeneration, strengthening of bones, nails, hair. Helps with colds, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis.
• E is an antioxidant.
• K - regulates blood clotting. The content of vitamin C in litchi provides the daily requirement of the body.

Main trace elements:

1. Potassium - strengthens and heals the heart.
2. Phosphorus - breaks down carbohydrates, builds and strengthens the skeleton, is necessary for fat metabolism, glucose absorption, and general metabolism.
3. Calcium - strengthens the skeleton, nails, teeth, nerves, immunity. Promotes weight loss.
4. Iron - normalizes metabolism.
5. Sodium - improves the functioning of the genitourinary, digestive systems, prevents dehydration. "Organizes" intercellular metabolism.
6. Zinc - removes toxins, heavy metals from the body, prolongs the youth of cells. Reduces stress, increases energy. Beneficial for skin, hair.
7. Selenium - antitumor, improves the functioning of the heart, thyroid gland. Prolongs youth.
8. Manganese is essential for the functioning of the nervous system, brain, and thyroid gland. Regulates metabolism, blood sugar.
9. Copper - improving blood quality, improving the endocrine system and gastrointestinal tract, strengthening immunity. Supports the production of tyrosine, without which the brain is problematic.
10. Nicotinic acid - ensures the functioning of the pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, liver, heart, blood vessels. Removes toxins, lowers blood sugar. It inhibits the appearance or development of atherosclerosis, senile dementia.

What makes lychee unique in terms of health is the combination of potassium, copper, ascorbic and nicotinic acids.

Carbohydrates give the fruit its sweetness. But in a ripe lychee fruit, the calorie content is only 65 - 75 units per 100 grams. It depends on the type of fruit.

Beneficial features

Even the ancient Chinese found out that the whole body benefits from the lychee fruit. Adherents of traditional medicine have studied the benefits of lychee fruits and use them for many problems:

1. dysfunction of the liver, kidneys;
2. high cholesterol;
3. the threat or the initial stages of atherosclerosis;
4. asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, tuberculosis;
5. emotional breakdowns (depression, neuroses);
6. fatigue, anemia, anemia, weakened immunity;
7. increased physical activity.

Extracts, essential oils, decoctions, dietary supplements are made from the fruit. The most striking example is the Japanese dietary supplement "Oligonol". Formulated with a polyphenol of the same name, found in lychee. It removes free radicals that age the body and reduce immunity.

Fruits are widely used by cosmetologists as an effective tool in solving skin problems (flabbiness, rashes, acne) and hair.

Strengthens the immune system

The daily norm of fruit supplies a person with the optimal amount of copper and ascorbic acid. As a result, the immune system "cheers up", stimulating the body to produce white blood cells. It is they who put a shield on ailments.

Chinese scientists have found that regular consumption of litchi strengthens the body's resistance to stress.

Improves digestion

Fruit affects the body in two ways. The fibrous structure plus a high concentration of carbohydrates improves digestion and peristalsis of the smooth muscles of the intestine. Along the way, the production of gastric juice is stimulated, which improves the absorption of nutrients. Therefore, the fruits are indicated for intestinal problems (primarily constipation).

Blood pressure control

Overseas lychee fruits are useful for hypertensive patients. Potassium removes excess sodium and water from the body. At the same time, the heart rate is normalized, which is often increased in patients.

Lychee benefits for weight loss

Fruit - almost pure water, minimum fat. Low-calorie, but for a long time kills the feeling of hunger, endowed with a diuretic effect.

This property makes it an ideal ally in the fight against excess weight.

Antitumor effect

The medicinal qualities of the fruit are indispensable as prevention and in the initial stages of oncology. We are talking about powerful antioxidant polyphenols that inhibit the development of malignant neoplasms.

Aphrodisiac

The sorcerers of Hindustan have been making potions from the fruit for centuries (including love potions). Little has changed today.

Residents of Southeast Asia endow litchi with aphrodisiac properties. Its unofficial name is "fruit of love."

Doctors have found that a decoction of the peel of the fruit strengthens male potency. The Chinese make wine from it, which "excites the soul and awakens love."

The Thai "Lychee Festival" attracts hundreds of tourists. A colorful event dedicated to the harvest. Every Thai beauty dreams of becoming "Miss Lychee" by winning the beauty pageant.

What is useful lychee for the body of women

For ladies, the benefits of lychee fruit are multifaceted. Each element is involved:

• Pectin - breaks down fats, contributing to weight loss. Rejuvenates the body as a whole.
• Nicotinic acid - is responsible for the beauty and health of hair.
• Calcium is indicated for women in whose family there is a tendency to osteoporosis, a series of births, early chronic diseases. As a prophylactic, it is useful to everyone who works in difficult or adverse climatic or industrial conditions. Especially for those over 30.

Lychee contains substances that solve purely feminine problems:

• Vitamins C, E are essential for women on the eve of menopause.
• B vitamins (1, 6) - indicated for menopause.
• Magnesium - salvation in menopause. Normalizes blood quality, lowers cholesterol.
• Copper is indispensable in the production of female sex hormones.

In addition, these elements improve the emotional state, improve sleep, performance, skin condition.

Is it possible for pregnant women and breastfeeding

There is no consensus in the medical community about the effects of lychee during pregnancy. Nutritionists are in favor, gynecologists are more careful.

Everyone agrees: the berries have diuretic properties, so they are useful for puffiness. It is only dangerous to exceed the daily dose (maximum ten berries).

Useful fruit for nursing mothers. It is rich in nicotinic acid, which enhances lactation. But you can eat it at least half an hour - forty minutes before feeding and no more than five berries per day. A consultation with a doctor is required.

Is it possible for children to lychee

Fruit can be given to children from the age of three. It is advisable to consult a pediatrician, especially if the child has problems with the gastrointestinal tract or a predisposition to allergies.

For testing, the baby is given a piece or half. If everything is fine, one or two berries a day is enough. You need to make sure that the child does not get to them and does not try on his own with a crust and a bone.

Contraindications and possible harm

At home, lychee is considered a completely safe product. For countries where it is exotic, there are restrictions and contraindications:

Personal incompatibility. It is difficult to recognize it in advance, therefore, at the first tasting, one or two berries are enough. If after a few hours nothing happened to the skin (redness, itching, rash), stomach function, general condition, the product is suitable. Otherwise, it is better to look for a replacement for him.

Overdose. Even if lychee is not contraindicated, it is not necessary to abuse it. The daily norm of fresh fruit for children is 100 g, for adults - 250-350 (depending on the person's body weight). Excess is fraught with irritation of the oral mucosa and flatulence.

Hypoglycine. The fruits are distinguished by its high concentration. The substance provokes a sharp drop in blood sugar levels.

It is undesirable to eat litchi on an empty stomach: organic acids, which are rich in fruits, irritate the intestinal walls.

Eating fruit with white flour pastries, foods high in starch can cause flatulence.

Sin .: Chinese plum, fox, liji, laixi, paradise grapes, dragon's eye.

Lychee is an evergreen fruit tree with a spreading crown, complex pointed leaves and fragrant, tuberculate-skinned pink fruits. Lychee fruits have good taste and medicinal properties, they are used for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases of the digestive, respiratory, nervous and cardiovascular systems.

Ask the experts

In medicine

Lychee is not a pharmacopoeial plant in Russia, but it is popular in oriental folk medicine, it is an active component of some dietary supplements. Oligonol is a pharmacological preparation of the same name with the name of the polyphenol in the composition of litchi, the active component of which is lychee extract. Lychee fruit is processed in the Japanese city of Sapporo at a pharmaceutical plant. The drug Oligonol restores the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, activates blood circulation, eliminating the "cold syndrome in the limbs", controls the level of antioxidant production in the body, promotes active metabolism, preventing obesity. The drug is recognized by professional cosmetology, as it helps to cleanse the skin of the face, lighten its pigmented areas.

The Chinese use lychee fruits to prevent atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and lower blood cholesterol. Possessing an expectorant property, lychee fruit is useful for colds, bronchitis, asthma, and tuberculosis. Having a diuretic effect, lychee fruits are used for diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract. This product also promotes weight loss, actively fights body fat. Regular consumption of fruits in food normalizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and blood sugar levels, eliminates chronic constipation. Decoctions from the peel of lychee fruit or tree flowers help with fatigue, depression and neuroses. Chinese litchi in the East is a well-known aphrodisiac, a remedy that gives men sexual strength. Regular consumption of fruits reduces the risk of developing cancer. Medicinal preparations, including lychee fruit, are used to treat cancerous growths in the initial stages of the development of the disease.

Contraindications and side effects

If we talk about the benefits of the lychee fruit and the harm, then contraindications to the use of this tasty and medicinal fruit are, perhaps, individual intolerance and a tendency to manifest allergic reactions. Children are allowed to consume no more than 100 g of lychee per day, as a skin rash may occur. From overeating in adults, the oral mucosa suffers, flatulence develops. Those who adhere to protein diets should be careful when consuming lychee, as intestinal disturbances (diarrhea, flatulence) are possible.

In cooking

The fruits of the lychee tree are used fresh, dried and canned. Various desserts, sweet dishes, jelly, ice cream are prepared from these fruits. The pulp of the fruit is close to white grapes in taste, inside it is a brown oval bone. Dried lychee fruit is also a valuable food product called lychee nut. In its dried pulp, the stone rolls like a ball. Lychees are used to make traditional Chinese wine. Canned pitted fruits are exported to different parts of the world. Lychee goes well with fish. Sweet and sour sauce is also prepared from the fruits, which is served with meat dishes. Black leaf tea, infused with lychee peel, is an excellent tonic called Kongou. It is consumed not only hot, but also chilled, with the addition of pieces of ice. Saketini is a traditional Chinese aperitif, which includes sake, dry vermouth and fragrant lychee fruit syrup.

In cosmetology

Lychee fruits are successfully used in professional and home cosmetology. Lychee fruit extract is an active ingredient in many skin and hair care products. Often, lychee is present in anti-aging and sunscreen cosmetics. The lychee fruit is considered an excellent antioxidant. The plant extract is used to treat problematic, dry skin. The drug "Oligonol" based on lychee fruits is used to lighten pigmented spots on the face. Masks based on Chinese litchi well moisturize the skin of the face and body due to the presence of essential oils in the fruits. Hair using shampoos based on lychee acquires a healthy shine, as a result of the use of fruit extract, the growth of hair follicles is activated.

In other areas

Lychee is known to be an excellent honey plant. Lychee fruit honey, golden hue, fragrant. Lychee wood is quite hard and durable, practically does not rot, due to which it is often used in construction, as well as in the manufacture of some joinery products.

Classification

Litchi or Chinese lychee (lat. Litchi chinensis) is a subtropical fruit tree that grows in tropical and subtropical climates. Belongs to the large Sapindaceae family. The family contains approximately 150 genera, and about 2000 species.

Botanical description

Lychee is an evergreen fruit-bearing tree, usually reaching a height of up to 15 meters. It has a spreading rounded crown and a gray smooth trunk. The leaves of the plant are complex, dark green, shiny, paired (less often - pinnate), consist of 5-8 oval or lanceolate leaflets with a pointed end. The seedling tree begins to bear fruit in the fifth or ninth year of life, lychees grown vegetatively bear fruit at the age of four. The yield of a tree increases every year, after a 20-year milestone, the number of fruits decreases. The lychee tree grows quite slowly. Lychee fruit is an oval pink-red fruit, weighing up to 20 g. From above, the lychee fruit is covered with a tuberous soft peel, which is easily separated from the pulp. Under the skin is a juicy, whitish, sour-sweet flesh with a seed-stone inside. Lychee fruits ripen in May - early June. Fragrant lychee flowers have a yellow-green calyx, without petals, the flowers are collected in lush inflorescences-umbrellas, about 70 cm long. Both male and female flowers develop on the same plant, and male flowers usually bloom earlier. Of the many flowers, only a few produce fruit. Pollination is aided by bees.

By the appearance of the leaves, two main types of lychee are distinguished: Chinese lychee (Litchi chinensis subsp. Сhinensis), whose habitat is China and Indochina. Leaf blades of this species with 4-8 leaflets. In the Philippine Lychee species (Litchi chinensis subsp. philippinensis), common in the Philippine Islands, on the island of Papua New Guinea and in Indonesia, the leaves are dissected only into 2-4 leaflets.

Spreading

Currently, lychees are cultivated in China, Japan, many countries in Southeast Asia, Africa and South America, as well as in the southern states of the United States. Many countries in Southeast Asia are exporters of lychees. Fruit trees grow well in the subtropics with relatively cool, dry winters; lychees usually do not bear fruit in a humid equatorial climate.

Procurement of raw materials

The fruits of the lychee tree have healing properties. It is better to store fruits frozen, peeled for about 3 months, as lychee is classified as a perishable food. Fresh fruits of the lychee tree have a short shelf life - only 3 days at room temperature. Therefore, lychee fruits are difficult to store and transport to distant countries. Fruits are carefully plucked from the trees in whole bunches. At positive temperatures up to 7 ° C, lychee can be stored for about 30 days. When buying lychee in a store, you need to know how to select high-quality fruits. If the fruits have been plucked for a long time, then the peel will be dark brown and hard. Bright, pink-red, soft to the touch fruits are especially fragrant and suitable for consumption. Useful properties of lychee fruit retains in dried form.

Chemical composition

Lychee fruits are rich in vitamin composition, so the benefits of lychee are essential for the human body. Fruits contain a large amount of complex carbohydrates, pectins, proteins, fiber, vitamins B, E, C, PP, minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, iodine, copper, zinc, iron, fluorine, selenium, manganese; organic acids, among which found a high content of nicotinic acid.The calorie content of lychee is approximately 76 kcal per 100 g of product.

Pharmacological properties

Due to the high content of nicotinic acid in the composition of lychee fruits, the fruits prevent and reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. In the course of scientific research by American scientists, it was found that lychee fruits contain a unique active substance - polyphenol oligonol. It is a powerful antioxidant and antiviral agent that helps the body get rid of many free radicals. The presence of free radicals is the main cause of aging and reduced immunity. Oligonol is able to protect the liver from various adverse factors, and also prolongs the youth of the body, preventing premature aging of cells. With a high amount of beta-carotene, lychee fruits have anticancer properties. Chinese scientists have proven that regular consumption of the fruits of the lychee tree helps to reduce the level of the stress hormone, thereby protecting the nervous system from the negative effects of stressful situations and emotional stress. In addition, due to the presence of polyphenol in the composition, lychee fruit, with regular use, has a beneficial effect on the state of the heart muscle, improves immunity.

Application in traditional medicine

Due to the unique composition and the presence of many useful properties, lychees are widely used in folk medicine of the East. The Chinese use fresh or dried fruits to prevent atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, to cleanse the blood of harmful cholesterol and normalize metabolic processes in the body. The high content of ascorbic acid in litchi allows the use of fruits for the treatment of colds, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, and boosting immunity. Fruit pulp syrup is recommended for anemia. Lychee fruit is an excellent decongestant for kidney diseases. Ten fruits eaten a day normalize blood glucose levels, fruits are useful for diabetes. Fruits in any form are useful for diseases of the pancreas, liver, digestive organs (ulcers, gastritis). Fiber-rich fruits promote regular bowel movements, relieving chronic constipation. A decoction of lychee seeds relieves neuralgic pains well. A decoction of lychee flowers is used for gargling with tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis. Tea infused on the peel of lychee fruit is an excellent tonic for the body. It is used for neurosis, depression, fatigue. Lychee in the countries of the East is considered the "fruit of love" - ​​an aphrodisiac that stimulates potency in men. As part of medicinal collections, along with lemongrass, the Chinese use lychee to treat oncological neoplasms. Diets with moderate consumption of lychee give good results - low-calorie fruits satisfy hunger, have a diuretic effect and promote fat burning.

History reference

The first mention of the lychee fruit dates back to the 2nd century BC, during the reign of the Chinese emperor Wu Di. According to legend, the ruler wanted to grow an exotic tree in the northern regions of China, since until that time lychee had been successfully cultivated in the south of the country. For an unsuccessful attempt to bring this fruit to the culture of northern China from the southern part of the country, Wu Di got angry and ordered the execution of all gardeners at the court. The fruit tree was brought to European countries in the middle of the 17th century. Currently, lychee is considered the most popular fruit in Southeast Asia.
French botanist and traveler Pierre Sonnera brought exotic young lychee trees to Europe. In the book of the Spanish writer González de Mendoza, Europeans could read a description of exotic lychee fruit trees. The author claimed that lychees are similar to plums, but from overeating of which there is no heaviness in the stomach. Now "Chinese plum" is one of the names of the lychee fruit. Juicy pulp and an oblong brown seed inside gave rise to the name of the fruit "dragon's eye". The first lychee plantation already showed off in 1764 on the island of Reunion, a little later lychee began to be grown en masse in Madagascar, which has become a fruit supplier almost to this day. Gradually, over time, the lychee range expanded, the trees grew in southern Japan, Burma, India, South Africa, in America - Honduras, the southern states of the USA, Brazil.

Literature

1. Plant life. In 6 volumes / Ch. ed. Corresponding Member USSR Academy of Sciences, prof. Al. A. Fedorov. - M.: Enlightenment, 1981. - V. 5, Part 2. Flowering plants. Ed. A. L. Takhtadzhyan. - S. 263.

2. The world of cultivated plants. Reference book / Baranov V.D., Ustimenko G.V. - M.: Thought, 1994. - S. 300-302. - 381 p.

3. Novak B., Schultz B. Tropical fruits. Biology, application, cultivation and harvesting / Per. with him. - M.: BMM AO, 2002. - S. 59-60. - 240 s.

4. Samoilenko M. Healing juices. - Litres, 2015. - 489 p.

Lychee pulp contains 66 calories per 100 grams, which is comparable to the calorie content of grapes. Lychee lacks saturated fat and cholesterol, but contains significant amounts of dietary fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Lychee is rich in oligonol, a low molecular weight polyphenol that regulates the production of oxidants in the body. In addition, its detrimental effect on the influenza virus is known. Oligonol improves blood flow in the organs, promotes weight loss and protects the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays.

Lychee fruit, like citrus fruits, is an excellent source of vitamin C: 100 grams of fresh fruit will provide about 120% of the daily recommended value. Eating fruits rich in vitamin C stimulates the human body to develop resistance against infectious agents and the accumulation of free radicals.

Lychee is a good source of B vitamins such as thiamine, niacin, and folates. These substances are useful and necessary for the normal course of metabolic processes, they act as accompanying components involved in the absorption of carbohydrates, proteins and fats by the body.

Lychee has a good amount of minerals such as potassium, calcium, copper. Potassium, as you know, is an important component of intercellular metabolism and the movement of fluids in the body, is responsible for normal blood pressure. Copper is essential for the production of red blood cells.

Lychee is rich in fiber, which helps maintain normal digestion and, as a result, optimal weight. In China, lychee peel tea is used to treat smallpox and acute food poisoning. In India, crushed lychee seeds are used to make a medicinal tea for stomach disorders. From the roots, bark and flowers of lychee, decoctions are prepared for gargling with sore throat.

However, lychee fruits should be consumed in moderation as they are high in fructose, which can cause weight gain if predisposed.

What vitamins are in lychee.

For 100 grams of lychee pulp, there are: carbohydrates - 16.53 grams, protein - 0.83 grams, fats - 0.44 grams, fibers - 1.3 grams.
Vitamins per 100 grams of lychee pulp:

• folate 14 mcg;
• choline 7.1 mg;
• pyridoxine 0.1 mg;
• riboflavin 0.065 mg;
• thiamine 0.011 mg;
• vitamin C 71.5 mg;
• vitamin E 0.07 mg;
• vitamin K 0.4 mcg.

Minerals per 100 grams of lychee pulp:

• sodium 1 mg;
• potassium 171 mg;
• calcium 5 mg;
• copper 0.148 mg;
• iron 0.31 mg;
• magnesium 10 mg;
• manganese 0.055 mg;
• phosphorus 31 mg;
• selenium 0.6 mcg;
• zinc 0.07 mg.

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The exotic lychee fruit is a very healthy and tasty fruit, which can now be found not only in distant countries, but thanks to supermarkets, these fruits also come to us. But not everyone takes the risk of buying them, since it is not known what the taste of this fruit will be and what they can be used for. Let's find out what kind of fruit it is and what it is eaten with ...

Lychee fruit has several names: "Chinese lychee", "liji", "laise", "fox", "Chinese plum" - this is a small fruit, oval in shape, the maximum size of a ripe fruit can reach from 2.5 to 3.5 cm and the maximum weight is 20 grams. It grows on evergreen trees that belong to the Sapindaceae family. Leaves pinnate with 4-8 leaf blades, shiny, leathery. In total, there are about one hundred and fifty genera and about two thousand species in the world. Lychee trees average 15 meters in height, but can grow up to 30 meters.

From some of the names of the fruit, you can guess where this delicious fruit came from, China is the birthplace of the lychee fruit, some documents dating back to the second century BC testify to this. Then the fruit began to spread throughout Southeast Asia. In Europe, they learned about the fruit only in the 17th century, it was first described in his book by the Spanish writer Gonzalez de Mendoza. He wrote that lychees were somewhat reminiscent of plums, with pulp in the middle and they can be eaten in any quantity, since they do not cause heaviness in the stomach at all. At the moment, lychees are grown in China, Japan and most countries in Southeast Asia, in many countries in Africa and South America and the southern states of the United States.

Lychee fruits have a red or pink tint and are covered with a dense peel with small tubercles. Before you eat the fruit, you need to remove the peel, this is done easily, you should put a little pressure on the peel and help with the tips of your nails to clean the fruit, separating the peel from the pulp. The flesh of the lychee is very juicy, white in color, reminiscent of plums or grapes in texture, has a pleasant sweet and sour taste reminiscent of currants and a little strawberries, and it also has a delicious aroma. In the middle of the fruit is an oblong dark brown seed. If you cut the lychee in half, you will notice that it will look like an eye, which is why the Chinese also call it the “dragon eye”.

The fruit not only has a wonderful taste, but it also has many useful properties, it quenches thirst well and tones the body, due to the fact that it contains a large amount of water, normalizes the digestive system and is recommended for those who have ulcers, gastritis , diabetes, liver and pancreas diseases. The fruit is useful for atherosclerosis and other diseases of the cardiovascular system, due to the fact that lychee contains nicotinic acid and a complex of minerals consisting of potassium, magnesium, calcium, in an ideal proportion, which helps to cleanse the blood of cholesterol, dilates blood vessels. Due to its powerful tonic effect, the fruit in China is also considered an excellent natural aphrodisiac. And the inhabitants of India call lychee the fruit of love. Fleece also promotes weight loss.

The composition of lychee fruits contains a huge variety of vitamins, micro and macro elements due to which it has a very beneficial effect on the human body.

100 g of lychee contains:

Water - 79.5 g
Proteins - 0.9 g
Fats - 0.3 g
Carbohydrates - 17 g
Dietary fiber (fiber) -1.6 g

Vitamins:

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.05 mg
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 0.05 mg
Niacin (vitamin B3 or vitamin PP) - 0.53 mg
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) - 0.25 mg
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) - 0.01 mg
Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) 25 mcg
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) - 39.2 mg
Vitamin E (tocopherol) - 0.5 mg
Biotin (vitamin H) - 0.5 mcg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) - 10 mcg

Macronutrients:

Potassium - 180 mg
Calcium - 9 mg
Magnesium - 10 mg
Sodium - 3 mg
Sulfur - 19 mcg
Chlorine - 3 mg
Phosphorus - 33 mg

Trace elements:
Iron - 0.35 mg
Iodine - 1.6 mcg
Manganese - 55 mcg
Copper - 140 mcg
Zinc - 70 mcg
Fluorine - 10 mcg

calories

100 g of lychee contains on average about 60 kcal.

Lychee fruits are consumed either fresh or added to sweet dishes, a variety of desserts, liqueurs, jellies, sauces, ice cream, tea, cocktails, and are also used as a filling for pies and puddings. Lychee pulp is even canned with sugar and exported in this form to many countries. And in China, traditional Chinese wine is produced from lychee fruits. It also goes well with fish, is used in the preparation of sweet and sour sauce, which is served with meat dishes.

The most delicious lychee is considered to be from Thailand, the lychee harvesting season lasts from May to early July, you cannot buy it at other times. When buying a lychee, you need to choose a fruit that is larger and that it is as red or pink as possible, since with this color it will be ripe and tasty, while the fruit must be very elastic so that it seems that it is about to burst. If you see that the peel of the fruit is dark in color, then this means that the fruit has long been removed from the branch and its taste will be unpleasant.