Lychee Litchi chinensis also known as litchi, liachi and leechi, belongs to the soap-berry family. Originated in China, this sub tropical fruit is now grown in many parts of the world and is one of the highest consumed fruits in the world. A ripe and fresh lychee fruit has a tender, whitish pulp with a distinctive flavor that can only be enjoyed if the fruit is eaten fresh. This fruit grows on an evergreen tree and is spotted mostly in summer. The lychee tree reaches up to a height of 40 to 50 feet, the fruit is oval-shaped and is about 5 cm long and 3 cm in width. The seed of the fruit is not toxic but it is advised that it shouldn't be eaten. The plant usually starts flowering during the beginning of the rainy season; September and October. During this time, the lychee fruit is ready for harvest and the best indicator that the fruit is ready is when it changes its color from green to fiery red. It is not difficult to recognize lychee fruit among other fruits. People can spot this fruit with the help of its fiery red skin. Nutritional Benefits People who want to opt for a healthier lifestyle to solve their various health issues should definitely include the lychee fruit in their diet. The fruit is a rich source of essential nutrients and is available easily in the market. Here is some essential lychee nutrition facts which will help the readers understand the nutritional value of the fruit.

• Recent medical reports have shown that lychee fruit curbs the growth of cancerous cells in the body. The fruit is a rich source of flavonoids which are very effective against breast cancer.
• People who have constant complaints of tiredness and low energy in the body should definitely start including lychee fruits in their diet as they are a rich source of vitamins.
• The fruit is an excellent source of carbohydrate and fiber which helps in smooth digestion.
• Lychees are low in calories and has no saturated fats or cholesterol. However, this fruit is very rich in dietary fiber which is very important for individuals who are concerned about their excess weight.
• The lychee fruit is also a great source of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, niacin and folates. These vitamins are very essential as they help the body to metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
• As the fruit has high amounts of vitamin C, it helps the immune system of the body to fight off life-threatening conditions like cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Vitamin C is considered very essential for healthy eyes, lustrous hair and great skin.
• The lychee fruit is also a rich source of important minerals like potassium and copper. Potassium is very important for cell structure and helps regulate heart rate and optimum blood pressure. Copper is essential for the formation of new red blood cells in the body.
• People in China believe that the lychee fruit has the power to calm down pain and shrink swollen glands. The lychee fruit is still used for the treatment of swollen glands in China, but there is no scientific fact to support this claim.
• The fruit doesn't have a long shelf life, hence millions of them get damaged while transportation. The fruit should be eaten raw and fresh as soon as it is plucked from the tree.

The following table depicts the nutritional value of 100 gm of fresh lychee fruit. This table taken from USDA.com will give the readers a better understanding of the different constituents of this fruit.

Lychee Nutritional Value
Element	Value
Calories	66 calories
Carbohydrates	16.53 g
Protein	0.83 g
Dietary Fiber	1.3 g
Folates	14 µg
Choline	7.1 mg
Riboflavin	0.065 mg
Vitamin C	71.5 mg
Vitamin E	0.07 mg
Vitamin K	0.4 µg
Potassium	171 mg
Calcium	5 mg
Magnesium	10 mg
Phosphorus	31 mg

There are many popular ways by which the fruit can be eaten; ice-cream, juice, milkshake, mocktails and cocktails, jams, jellies, sorbets and sauces. Hope this article on lychee fruit nutrition facts was an interesting read, please do leave valuable feedback.