Summer is the season for lychees. Given the summer heat and the lychee's reputation for causing "internal heat," it seems like an odd combination. So, can you eat lychees in the summer? Are there any taboos associated with eating lychees during this time? Let the editor clear things up for you! The hot summer and the "heat-inducing" lychee don't seem to go together, right? So, can you eat lychees in the summer? Of course you can! The key is in how you eat them. What should you pay attention to when eating lychees in the summer? And what nutritional benefits and effects of lychees are you missing out on if you don't enjoy them? Let's find out together!
Taboos of Eating Lychees in Summer
1. Do not eat on an empty stomach
Fresh lychees are very high in sugar. Eating them on an empty stomach can irritate the gastric mucosa, leading to stomach pain and bloating. Moreover, consuming them in large quantities on an empty stomach can cause a sudden influx of high sugar levels in the body, leading to "hypertonic coma."
2. Do not eat large quantities of lychees
Eating a large number of lychees while consuming very little food can easily trigger acute hypoglycemia, with symptoms like dizziness, thirst, nausea, sweating, abdominal pain, and palpitations. In severe cases, it can lead to coma, convulsions, and arrhythmia. These symptoms are caused by acute hypoglycemia after consuming a large amount of lychees, which is medically known as acute lychee poisoning, or "lychee disease." This is because most of the simple sugars in lychees are fructose. After fructose is absorbed by the body, it must go through a series of enzymatic processes to be converted into glucose for energy or stored as glycogen for use by tissue cells. If too many lychees are consumed at once, it can cause a significant drop in blood sugar levels, leading to hypoglycemia. Therefore, lychee disease is an acute condition caused by low blood sugar, often presenting in the early morning with initial symptoms like sweating, cold limbs, fatigue, and mild diarrhea, followed by sudden convulsions and coma. If symptoms of "internal heat" appear, you can eat some cool watermelon to relieve the heat.
Do not eat more than 10 lychees at a time, as excessive consumption can cause liver fire to rise, leading to a dry throat and tongue. In severe cases, it can cause nausea, limb weakness, dizziness, and other discomforts. For children, 3-4 pieces are sufficient, as eating too many can easily cause febrile diseases.
3. Diabetics should eat with caution
Lychees are very high in sugar, so diabetics should consume them with caution. At the same time, people with yin deficiency and excess internal heat, or those who are already showing symptoms of "internal heat," should not eat them to avoid worsening these symptoms. Those with a sore throat, swollen gums, or nosebleeds should also avoid them.
4. Try not to eat water-soaked lychees
Many lychees on the market are soaked in water and contain a lot of moisture. When a large amount of this water enters the gastrointestinal tract, it can dilute digestive juices, leading to loss of appetite or indigestion, and can also cause temporary hypoglycemia.
Nutritional Value and Benefits of Lychees
Nutritional Value of Lychees: Lychees are rich in sugar, protein, various vitamins, fat, citric acid, pectin, and minerals like phosphorus and iron, making them a fruit that is beneficial to human health. The sugar content in lychee flesh is as high as 20%. In every 100ml of juice, the vitamin C content can be as high as 70mg. Additionally, it contains protein, fat, citric acid, fruit acid, phosphorus, calcium, iron, and other components.
Benefits of Lychees:
1. Replenish energy and nourish the brain.
The flesh of lychees is rich in glucose and sucrose, with a total sugar content of over 70%, ranking it among the highest of various fruits. It has the effect of replenishing energy and increasing nutrition. Research has shown that lychees have a nourishing effect on brain tissue and can significantly improve symptoms like insomnia, forgetfulness, and mental fatigue.
2. Enhance immune function.
Lychee flesh is rich in vitamin C and protein, which helps to enhance the body's immune function and improve disease resistance. Since ancient times, it has been regarded as a precious tonic.
3. Lower blood sugar.
Lychees contain an amino acid that has the effect of lowering blood sugar, making it very suitable for diabetics.
4. Reduce swelling, detoxify, stop bleeding, and relieve pain.
In addition to its well-known nourishing effects, lychees can also be used for surgical conditions such as tumors, scrofula, malignant carbuncles, and external bleeding.
5. Stop hiccups and relieve diarrhea.
Lychees are sweet and warm in nature, strengthening the spleen and lowering the adverse flow of qi. They are an excellent food therapy choice for stubborn hiccups and "five more diarrhea" (diarrhea at dawn).