Health Benefits of Litchi

Litchi is one of the fruits available in summers. Litchi not only tastes good but also provides immense health benefits. Read about the health benefits of litchi and find tips for buying and storing litchi the right way.

Litchi, or lychee, is a frequently used ingredient in a number of Asian preparations. In the United States, it is normally used in canned form. Litchi has a delicate, rose-like flavour and forms an excellent accompaniment for desserts and salads along with pineapples, bananas and mangoes.

At the first glance you will find that litchi resembles strawberry with the only difference being that the litchi skin looks like alligator skin. Its exterior is rough and tough. To have the fruit you must peel the litchi to get to its edible interior. Once peeled, the litchi is like a peeled grape- grey in colour with a pearly grape-like texture. The litchi flesh is soft and surrounded by large inedible seed.

Nutritional Properties of Litchi 

Have a quick look at the nutritional properties of litchi.

Vitamin C - A cup of fresh litchi contains approximately 130 mg of vitamin C, which is 226 percent of the daily value based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Dried litchi provides 51 mg of vitamin C per oz. Vitamin C is required by our body to produce collagen, maintain a healthy immune system and strong teeth and bones. It is an antioxidant which helps in getting rid of free radicals which contribute to disease and aging.

Potassium - 1 cup of fresh litchi provides approximately 300 mg of potassium. This is much more than that provided by an average sized mango. Potassium is useful to regulate the heart rhythms. It is also an electrolyte that helps muscle contraction and fluid balance.

Vitamins and Minerals - Fresh litchi also contains B vitamins - riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6 and folate. These vitamins are essential for maintaining red blood cell health and metabolic processes. Litchi is also a rich source of phosphorus and magnesium which helps to support strong bones, and the trace minerals copper and manganese.

Fat & Calories - Litchi contains only trace amounts of fat. It contains sugar in natural form which is beneficial for our body. However, the canned varieties often contain high amounts of added sugar and hence are best avoided.

How to Buy and Store Litchis?

Here are some tips for buying and storing litchis the right way.

How to buy litchis? - You must go in for the fruit which has a bright colour, light red to deep red without any blemishes. The skin of litchi is naturally tough and leathery. However, while buying the fruit, bear in mind the fact that in appearance the skin must be pliable and not overly dull, dry or dark. Litchis stop ripening once they are plucked. Hence, avoid litchis which look raw, cracked, leaking, or smell fermented.

How to Store Litchis? - Once you buy fresh litchis it is important to store it properly. Ideally you must wrap it in a paper towel, place in a perforated plastic bag, and store in the refrigerator for up to one week. As the fruit ages it will start fermenting, because of which you must use it quickly.

You can also refrigerate litchis to be used at a later date. To refrigerate the fruit place the fruit, skin on, in a zipper bag, suck out the air, and seal.

Litchi, which when translated in Chinese means a ‘gift for a joyful life’ and it lives up to its name. It contains a whole lot of vitamins and minerals which are beneficial for the human body. This delicious, juicy fruit has been enjoyed by natives of Southeast Asia for centuries. In addition to specific health benefits, litchi also contains phosphorous, calcium, magnesium and protein. The popularity and potent health properties of this fruit has made it an all time favorite the world over.