What is litchi and what is it for?

Litchi, also known as Litchi or Litchi chinensis, is a tropical fruit native to southern China. It is widely cultivated in many Asian countries as well as in some regions of Latin America and Africa. Lychee is prized for its sweet, exotic flavor as well as its distinctive juicy texture.

It is difficult to obtain in Argentina, there are few markets that can import this fruit. This attractive and juicy fruit has been successfully cultivated in Formosa, Salta, Jujuy and Tucumán.

Litchi is a round or oval fruit, which is about 3-4 cm in diameter. Its skin is rough and bright pink or red in color, peeling off easily to reveal the translucent white pulp inside. The pulp of litchi is juicy and has a sweet and aromatic flavor, with floral notes and a touch of acidity.

What is litchi: what can it be used for?

The fruit is eaten fresh and can be enjoyed by peeling and eating the pulp directly. Due to its refreshing taste and attractive appearance, it is also used in desserts, fruit salads, smoothies and cocktails. In addition, litchi is a source of vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants, making it a healthy option in a balanced diet.

Litchi is a seasonal fruit. It is red in color and has a thick shell. The inner flesh is sweet and very tasty, in it we get important nutritional properties, high levels of vitamin C and essential minerals for the body.

Litchi is a versatile fruit that can be used in a variety of food and culinary preparations. Here are some ideas for recipes in which you can incorporate lychee:

• Fruit Salad: Lychee adds a unique and sweet touch to fruit salads. Mix it with other fresh fruits like strawberries, pineapple, melon, or mango and add a little lemon juice to enhance the flavor.
• Sauces and Dressings: You can make lychee sauces or dressings to accompany meats, seafood or salads. Mash lychees with a little lemon juice, sugar and fresh herbs like mint or basil.
• Shakes and Smoothies: Add lychee to your shakes or smoothies for a tropical twist. Mix it with milk or yogurt, other fruits like banana or mango, and some ice for a refreshing drink.
• Sweets: Litchi can be used in a variety of sweets. You can make a lychee mousse, homemade lychee ice cream or even add it as a topping on cakes, tarts or crepes.
• Cocktails: Add litchi to your cocktails to give a unique flavor to your cocktails. You can use it to make lychee mojitos, lychee margaritas, or simply add it as a garnish to fruity cocktails.

What are the benefits of litchi?

This fruit is rich in fiber and low in calories, so it helps in bowel movement. They also contain Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, which prevents many chronic diseases and strengthens our immunity.

According to the ‘Narayan Health’ portal, potassium, iron, copper, manganese, phosphorus are also abundant in them.

Lychee is a rich source of several antioxidant plant compounds, such as epicatechin, which help protect against oxidative stress and chronic diseases such as cataracts, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

According to health portal ‘Healthline’, fresh litchi can be included in the diet to avail these benefits, but it should be done in moderation to avoid adverse effects like possible allergic reactions.

Litchi is a delicious fruit that not only has an irresistible taste but also offers various health benefits. Next, I will list some of the benefits associated with consuming litchi:

• High Vitamin C Content: Lychee is an excellent source of Vitamin C, which is a natural antioxidant that helps strengthen the immune system, fight free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage.
• Antioxidant properties: Litchi contains antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C, which help protect the body from oxidative stress and premature aging.
• Improves heart health: Lychee may help improve heart health by lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as promoting blood vessel health and reducing inflammation.
• Helps digestion: Litchi is a good source of dietary fiber, which can help improve digestion and prevent problems like constipation.
• Promotes healthy skin: Thanks to its vitamin C and antioxidant content, lychee may help maintain healthy skin by stimulating collagen production, improving skin elasticity, and protecting against free radical damage.

It should be noted that it is always advised to consult a health professional before making significant changes in diet.

One fact to keep in mind: research

Every summer since 1995, a mysterious outbreak has occurred in India, killing dozens of people, mostly minors. In Muzaffarpur district, in the northeast of the Asian country, year-round hospitals began to receive patients from the month of May, when high temperatures hit the region. The cause of the mysterious illness was unknown to health agencies.

However, research published in 2017 claimed to have found the answer to this uncertainty. According to a study published in The Lancet Global Health journal, litchis are behind the mystery.

The scientists found an association between the hypoglycin A toxin and the symptoms of those affected, which did not reflect any signs of infection or contagion, but shared the same picture: low sugar levels, followed by seizures and encephalopathy that they could overcome. Couldn’t The presence of the toxin can produce toxic hypoglycemic syndrome, as was found with ackee—especially when it is unripe—another fruit in the same family as the lychee, widely eaten in Jamaica. .

The study was conducted by the Indian National Center for Disease Control in association with its US counterpart. The accumulation of cases, initially thought to be classified as isolated, attracted particular attention because once the summer season was over, the epidemic disappeared again. The main victims were children under the age of 15. Between three and four out of 10 of them died.

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