This is the season to savor some of the most delicious fruits in Pakistan. Among which lychee is a tantalizing one, that has its very own distinctive flavors and is also served in major desserts. The scorching heat drains our energy completely so it’s a major blessing to have vibrant fruits which make summers so better. Mangoes, melons and watermelons have already found their way into our fruit baskets, it is now time for lychees to make their way. So what is this fruit anyway? Lychee is a whimsical-like soft, whitish-pink coloured pulpy fruit, which is available for a very short period of time during the summer season. From boosting your immune system to aiding blood circulation, this juicy and delicious fruit holds so many advantages. Social Diary shares some of the top reasons for adding this great fruit into your palate.
Boosts Your Immunity
One of the major things is that it works in amazing ways in boosting your immunity. Rich in vitamin C, lychee also has more than 100% of the daily requirement of ascorbic acid (ABA) in a single serving which works exceptionally well for boosting your immunity. Vitamin C stimulates the activity of white blood cells that defend the body against foreign materials. Youngsters and adults alike should be adding this wonder fruit into their diet.
Aids in Digestion
Another thing to know is that lychee comes packed with dietary fibres. These fibres regulate the bowel movement by ensuring its smooth passage through the digestive tract. This also adds bulk to the stool and can work wonders for constipation and other tummy problems. It also stimulates gastric and digestive juices promoting efficient nutrient absorption. This is why it is best if you are able to take in a few, even one through the day. It’s the key to having a happy digestion and a good night’s rest.
Combats Aging
As if we needed another reason for it but turns out lychee is super great for your skin too. As you age, your body produces more and more free radicals. These free radicals damage your skin and cause wrinkles. Litchis are rich in antioxidants that combine with the free radicals and prevent them from damaging your skin. There are many such cases where women have pointed out how they look and have such amazing flawless skin due to adding lychee as part of their regular diet.
Regulating Blood Pressure
You know how lychee helps lowering high blood pressure by maintaining fluid balance. It is rich in potassium and low in sodium which helps regulate your blood pressure. Potassium reduces the constriction of arteries and blood vessels, thus lowering the stress on the cardiovascular system. This is why you should be having a major boost to your health by adding this into the diet.
Strong Bones
Lychee is full of essential nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese and copper. These minerals are known to increase calcium absorption in the bones, thereby making them strong and healthy. It is especially advised to the aging community. They should be consuming it more often as it ensures they feel healthy and are more fit and active through the later stage in life.
Luscious Hair
Apart from being a blessing for your skin, litchis also add shine and bounce to your hair. Be it stress or pollution, a host of factors can wreak havoc on our hair. Litchis, when used topically, can help promote hair growth. One of the simple ways you can do so is creating an amazing hair spread. Mix litchi juice and aloe vera in a bowl. Then massage the mixture into your scalp. You should keep it on for 60 minutes, and then wash it off with a mild shampoo. Your hair grows when the hair follicles are properly nourished. Copper peptides enlarge the hair follicles, which drastically reduces the resting phase of hair growth . Since lychee is an excellent source of copper, it helps stimulate the hair follicles and makes your hair grow.
Influenza Effect
Influenza is caused by viruses and is an extremely communicable disease. Due to certain strains of these viruses showing resistance to traditional antiviral drugs, there is a need to develop new medications. Litchi fruit extracts have shown to be effective against these viruses. How? Litchis exhibit antiviral properties due to the presence of oligonol that stops the virus from multiplying. Many researchers are now actually backing this information. Making it yet another strong fruit that supports good and sound health.
STORING LYCHEE
Litchis are mostly grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions. They are seasonal fruits, and are usually available from June through October. They are highly perishable, and once plucked from the tree, do not ripen any further.A pinkish-brown shell indicates that the fruit is fresh. Select litchis that are firm, feel heavy, and have a dry shell. Avoid the ones that feel soft, or have cracked shells or black spots.Litchis don’t have a long shelf life. When stored in the refrigerator in a plastic bag, they can last about 10 days. Refrigeration usually turns the shell of the litchi darker without affecting the fruit.
