Plant atlas Short
Lychee Polyphenols Were Linked to Less Liver Fat
Lychee · ลิ้นจี่ · Litchi chinensis
Lychee — ลิ้นจี่ (lin-chee) — Litchi chinensis.
Lychee — lin-chee. In a small double-blind trial, a lychee-derived polyphenol extract reduced liver fat in people with fatty liver. To eat lychee, peel it, enjoy the translucent flesh, and discard the seed. Lychee is rich in vitamin C, copper, and potassium. Vitamin C helps build collagen for skin, supports normal immune function, and works as an antioxidant that protects your cells. Copper helps your body use iron, supports normal energy metabolism, and keeps connective tissue and nerves healthy. Potassium supports normal blood pressure, muscle and nerve function, and steady fluid balance. Kaeng Phet Pet Yang simmers fatty roasted duck in a rich coconut red curry, using sweet lychees and tomatoes to cut the heat and fat. Som Chun floats fresh lychees in an ice-cold jasmine-citrus syrup, garnished with crispy shallots and ginger. The flesh is sugar-dense, so keep portions modest. Lychee trees need a cool, dry winter to flower, so shelter young trees from frost and wind. Large amounts of unripe lychee on an empty stomach can be dangerous. Its natural toxins can drop blood sugar dangerously, especially in undernourished children.
Kaeng Phet Pet Yang — แกงเผ็ดเป็ดย่าง (gaeng-phet-pet-yang)
Som Chun — ส้มฉุน (som-chun)
Food and nutrients
Rich in: vitamin C, copper, potassium
Research context
Lychee polyphenol reduced liver fat in patients with fatty liver disease in a controlled trial — Nutrients, 2022 (RCT)
Sources
Source: Jinato T et al. (2022). Litchi-derived polyphenol alleviates liver steatosis & gut dysbiosis in NAFLD: double-blind RCT (n=38). Nutrients 14(14):2921. DOI:10.3390/nu14142921 (PMID 35889878)
Narration transcript
Opening
Lychee — ลิ้นจี่, lin-jee. Under that red, pebbled shell sits translucent flesh so perfumed it tastes almost floral, wrapped around one glossy dark seed. You eat the flesh and toss the seed. Peel it with your thumb and eat it cold.
Kaeng Phet Pet Yang (Roasted Duck Red Curry with Lychee) (แกงเผ็ดเป็ดย่าง)
Kaeng phet pet yang is a red curry that simmers roasted duck, lychees, and tomatoes in coconut milk, served over steamed jasmine rice.
Som Chun (Lychee in Fragrant Citrus Syrup) (ส้มฉุน)
Som chun is a chilled dessert that serves fresh lychees in jasmine-citrus syrup with shallots and ginger, ice-cold over crushed ice.
Nutrition summary
A handful of that perfumed flesh is notably high in vitamin C, with a useful amount of copper.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is used to build collagen and helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
Copper
Copper helps your body use iron and maintain normal connective tissue.
Potassium
Potassium helps with normal fluid balance and muscle function.
Closing
Two cautions: the flesh is sugar-dense, so go easy, and never eat a lot of unripe lychee on an empty stomach — the green fruit carries compounds that can drop blood sugar dangerously, especially in hungry children. Lychee trees need a cool, dry winter to flower, so shelter young ones from frost and wind. Follow Longevity Biome, and LIKE this video for regular updates.
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