The poisonous exotic fruit that few know about: what happens if you consume it

Used in desserts, smoothies and cocktails, the litchi, exotic fruit Originally from China, it stands out for the sweet flavor of its pulp covered by a red, rough and thin skin that peels easily.

Although this tropical fruit is rich in vitamins and minerals and constitutes a valuable nutritional source, If not consumed correctly it can be harmful to your health..

Why can lychee be poisonous?

THE litchi they can become toxic if they are consumed in large quantities or when they are not yet ripe. This effect can be fatal in malnourished children and in people who eat it on an empty stomach.

In fact, every year in India, thousands of children are hospitalized for eating this fruit, causing fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, hypoglycemia, convulsions, epileptic seizures, fainting and even death.

A study published in The Lancet Global Health revealed why litchi could cause death. Scientists have found that consuming this fruit provides a substance called hypoglycin A that inhibits glucose production in the liver.

The presence of this chemical compound on an empty stomach facilitates intoxication due to lack of glucose and can generate a toxic hypoglycemic syndrome, similar to that which occurs with akeeanother fruit from the lychee family.

Furthermore, research guarantees that for consume litchi without any risk It is essential that the fruits are ripe, that they are not the first or only thing eaten, that they do not have poor general health or malnutrition, and that they consume sugar in case of hypoglycemia.

What effects do lychees have?

According to research published on the site Medical news todayTHE litchi They have a component called proanthocyanidins that they provide multiple advantages to health. Between them:

• Antioxidant
• Antidiabetic
• Antiangiogenic, which means it prevents tumors in the blood vessels
• Anti-cancer
• Anti-inflammatory
• Cardioprotective

Also, the site Health line claims they are an excellent source of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and niacin, a vitamin that can increase good cholesterol (HDL) levels.