A Litchi a day could soon keep the doctor away.
A new research paper has claimed that Litchi fruits are not just rich sources of vitamins and minerals but are powerful antioxidants as well and could be a panacea for various ailments.
The paper, presented by S K Purbey and Vishal Nath, scientists from the National Research Centre for Litchi, Muzaffarpur in Bihar, has found that the fruit contains Vitamin K, Vitamin B6 and more Vitamin C than citrus fruits.
“Minerals like Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, Copper, Phosphorus and Potassium are abundant in Litchi. It is low in Sodium, saturated fat and cholesterol. They are also purported to have some anti-inflammatory properties, aid in gastrointestinal health and have as much fibre as an apple,” it said.
Scientists have also found that other parts of the fruit like the seed, root, bark and flowers could also be used for various medicinal purposes. Even the honey harvested from hives near Litchi plantations in Florida is of highest quality and delicious in taste.
The skin of the fruit is used in Chinese culture to relieve smallpox eruptions and diarrhea and contains significant amounts of phenolics, which may be an important source of natural anti-oxidants, the paper said.
Seeing its rich nutritional, medicinal and cosmetic values, the Litchi could have a great potential in the world market but scientific base of all these benefits requires further investigation and validation, it said.
INDIA TODAY
