You may have heard about lychees in the news not long ago. Children living near lychee orchards in India were waking up screaming and crying beginning in mid-May. They had seizures, comas and even died in about 40 percent of cases. Then in July, the monsoon rains came and the outbreak would end. This happened each year. Finally, scientists were able to pinpoint the cause — the lychees were being eaten on an empty stomach by malnourished children.
The hungry children often ate unripened lychees or lychees that fell to the ground, which contained high levels of a naturally occurring amino acid derivative called hypoglycin. Lab tests confirmed this, showing abnormally high levels of hypoglycin in the affected children’s urine. Hypoglycin inhibits the bodys ability to produce glucose, causing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which affected the children whose blood sugar levels were already so low because they were not eating dinner.
Health officials urged the parents to feed the children an evening meal and limit how much lychee they ate. As a result, the cases of the mysterious illness dropped significantly.
Lychees are eaten in various countries around the world without issue. The key lesson we can take from the children in India is to not eat unripened lychees on an empty stomach. If you are well-nourished and eating ripe lychees in moderation, you don’t need to worry.
A cup of lychees is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), potassium and copper. Ten fresh lychees would have around 69 mg of vitamin C, which is equivalent to a medium orange!
Lychees also have antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, liver-protective and immune-boosting benefits. Lychees are especially rich in polyphenols (plant-based antioxidants), including proanthocyanidins, which may help prevent serious heart problems, cancer and other diseases.
Its anti-diabetic activities are particularly interesting. A 2013 review published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine highlighted lychees’ blood glucose-lowering abilities. Lychee seed extract helps reduce insulin resistance, and the polyphenol oligonol found in the lychee fruit may help with diabetes-related vascular problems. The fruit also may help fight inflammation and oxidative stress associated with diabetes and obesity. However, they do have quite a bit of sugar — 29 g in a cup. So moderation is key. Diabetics interested in lychee and lychee extracts should consult with a qualified healthcare provider.
The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, health care attorneys, nutritionists, nurses and certified fitness instructors. To learn more about the pH Health Care Team, click here.
Minerals are, in many ways, the unheralded and often forgotten heroes of keeping our bodies functioning at their best. While the nutrients, carbohydrates, proteins and fat may be better well known, minerals are equally vital for helping us get and stay healthy.
They play a key role in combatting disease, helping your body heal, managing ongoing chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, minimizing the impact of such common maladies as headaches and PMS, helping children grow up strong, enhancing mental performance at all ages, and fatigue. They truly are your secret weapon for getting and staying your healthiest.
In this easy-to-read and easy-to-use guide, pH Lab’s team of recognized medical doctors and specialists tell you about the role minerals play with common health issues along with detailed information about individual minerals. You’ll also learn more about the relationship between minerals and prescription medicines, why you need more than routine blood tests to see what minerals your body may need, and where you can get these tests.
Litchi fruit contains a toxin, methylene cyclopropyl-glycine (MCPG), which is known to be fatal by causing encephalitis-related deaths. This is especially harmful when consumed by malnourished children.
WATER WITH LOW MINERAL CONTENT
The minerals in drinking water from a municipal source or from bottled water differ. Clinical studies suggest that drinking water that is rich in bicarbonate and potassium lowered calcium excretion in the urine and bone resorption. That means bone is being better preserved. Mineral waters rich in potassium, magnesium, medium calcium and low sodium content are useful for overall health not just for bone and cardiovascular benefits. Fluids lacking in minerals may be counterproductive to health.
Stress increases cortisol levels and also interferes with other mineral-reabsorbing hormones. This may cause increased urinary frequency, decreased mineral absorption and loss of essential minerals.
LIFESTYLE CHOICES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO MINERAL DEFICIENCY
Phosphoric acid is used to enhance the flavor of many carbonated drinks. It provides that tanginess that we enjoy. Although phosphorus is an integral part of bones, high phosphorous intake, such as from the acidic forms found in sodas, can cause essential healthy bone minerals such as calcium and magnesium to get pushed away while phosphates take their place leading to brittle bones (osteoporosis).
Chronic excessive alcohol users frequently have multiple nutritional and mineral deficits. Alcohol has strong diuretic effects which may contribute to loss of minerals in the urine. There are other mechanisms by which alcohol depletes minerals and affects bone formation. These are complex and technical issues, which are beyond the scope of this book and will not be addressed.
In some older studies, increased coffee intake was mentioned as a minor contributor to osteoporosis; recent studies did not find any differences. It is also noteworthy that different types of coffee contain different amounts of minerals. Overall regular use of one cup of coffee per day does not seem to have any adverse effects on minerals and bone health, while high use may.
Lychee: The “Dangerous” Fruit With Amazing Health Benefits
FAQ
Are lychees dangerous?
How many lychees can I eat a day?
Are lychee shells poisonous?
Are lychees bad for kidneys?
Are lychees bad for You?
A recent report revealed they are probably due to toxins from unripe lychees. Combined with low blood sugar or malnourishment, these toxins can result in even lower blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. They block the body’s production of sugar, which becomes especially dangerous when we sleep and our blood sugar levels naturally fall.
Is lychee fruit an allergen?
Lychee fruit is not a common allergenic food, but lychee does contain proteins that can lead to an allergic reaction. For example, individuals who are allergic to latex or birch pollen may experience allergic reactions to lychee, including anaphylaxis. Lychee also contains compounds that can cause abnormally low blood sugar and is linked to brain swelling and death in severely undernourished children. Unripe lychee contains higher amounts of these potentially dangerous compounds. Adults who consume lychee regularly do not experience these health problems. Lychee is an overall healthy food choice.
Is lychee poisonous?
Naturally occurring toxins in the lychee fruit have been linked to toxicity that leads to fever, convulsions and seizures. Ackee — the national fruit of Jamaica — contains the same poison as the lychee when unripe and can cause severe illness. It is usually cooked before eating.
What happens if you eat too much lychee?
Nutrients in lychee have antioxidant properties and can help protect against heart disease, support the immune system, and promote heart, digestive, and skin health. However, consuming too much lychee has been linked to hypoglycemic encephalopathy, a potentially fatal condition.