Dimocarpus Longan, also known as longan fruit, is an exotic fruit with white flesh that belongs to the soapberry family. It is well-known for its resemblance to lychee fruit. Longan adds a delicious flavour to puddings, sorbets, smoothies, salads, and jellies.
All you have to do to consume longan is peel away its outer shell. Longan tastes like grapes and looks like an eyeball when the shell is removed. The black seed and white flesh are reminiscent of a pupil. As a result, it is also known as dragon eye fruit.
Consuming longan seeds is not advised. As a result, before consuming longan, remember to remove the seeds. Longan is a Southeast Asian native that is commonly cultivated in Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, and China. They can be extracted to produce essential oils or extracts. It is also worth noting that longan fruit is important in traditional Chinese medicine.
Longans vs. Lychees
Longan and lychee are summer fruits from the tropics. They are even near relatives in the fruit family. Once peeled, both fruits appear as white flesh encircling a huge seed outside.
Longan fruit, on the other hand, is smaller than lychee fruit. Its skin is more smoother, firmer, and darker. As a result, you should peel it before eating it. Lychees have a pinkish outer surface that is rough due to tiny bumps.
Longan has a musky flavour, whilst lychee has a floral flavour. Fresh longans are more difficult to find than fresh lychees. In supermarket stores, you can usually get them frozen, tinned, or dried. In other words, fresh varieties of this fruit are difficult to come by.
Longan Fruit Nutritional Value
Longan fruit provides the following nutrients in 100 grammes:
60 kilocalories
Carbohydrates: 15.14 g Protein: 1.31 g Fiber: 1.10 g
0.10 g fat
Minerals and vitamins
- 84 mg vitamin C (140 percent DV)
- 266 mg potassium (7.6 percent of DV)
- 21mg phosphorus (2.1 percent of DV)
- 0.17 mg copper (8.5 percent of DV)
- 0.05 mg manganese (2.6 percent of DV)
- Iron – 0.13 mg (about 0.7%)
Longan Fruit Health Benefits
Superfood has become a buzzword in both traditional and online media. Unfortunately, no approved medical definition exists for this phrase. Superfoods, on the other hand, are foods with a high nutrient profile.
Eating superfoods improves a variety of health outcomes. The longan fruit contains a lot of nutrients that are good for you. It accomplishes this without adding any extra calories to your diet. As a result, they qualify as superfoods.
The following are the health benefits of longan fruit.
Enhances Memory
Longan fruit is a natural nootropic. That is, the fruit extract improves cognitive function and memory. Longan fruit tonic is used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve anxiety.
According to one study, eating longan fruit may be good to the brain. Longan works on the region of the brain structure that aids in memory processing. As a result, it lowers the chance of Alzheimer’s disease.
Improves Skin Health
Longan fruits successfully reverse the effects of ageing due to their high vitamin C content. It reduces the appearance of pigmentation, blemishes, fine lines, and wrinkles. Furthermore, this fruit aids in the synthesis of collagen. As a result, it promotes the growth of new skin cells. As a result, it keeps the skin healthy.
A study backs up the claim that the vitamin C in longan reduces skin oxidative damage. As a result, longan is beneficial to skin health. It, for example, reduces skin breaking and peeling. It also helps to maintain a youthful shine by reducing skin dryness.
Enhances Sleep Quality
In today’s fast-paced world, most people suffer from insomnia or sleeplessness. Because of its anxiolytic action, longan may be the treatment you’re looking for.
Stress and anxiety can be reduced by using the fruit extract. It accomplishes this by lowering cortisol levels, a stress hormone. As a result, it may eventually aid in the improvement of sleep duration and quality.
A study also found that longan fruit helps with sleep rate and duration.
Improves Immunity
Longan fruit has strong antimicrobial capabilities. As a result, the immune system is better able to combat infections. Furthermore, it is high in vitamin C, a well-known antioxidant that might minimise the detrimental effects of free radicals.
Longan fruit consumption has been shown in studies to boost the immune system’s defence mechanism by creating enough white blood cells. Longan tea and herbal infusions also help to avoid respiratory problems, sore throats, the common cold, and fever.
Anti-inflammatory properties
According to one study, all portions of the longan fruit have anti-inflammatory qualities. They have ellagic acid, epicatechin, and gallic acid in them. As a result, it decreases the body’s release of inflammatory chemicals. The mesocarp or longan pulp is sufficient to get the anti-inflammatory properties.
Increases Libido
Longan fruit is a traditional supplement used to boost sex drive in both men and women. It is also a traditional aphrodisiac. Fruit juice has been used to treat sexual deficiencies in China for over 400 years.
It helps to increase stamina, which promotes libido. Longan has been shown in studies to help treat erectile dysfunction and improve sexual wellness.
It prevents anaemia.
Anaemia can occur when there is insufficient formation of healthy red blood cells. Iron can be obtained by eating longans. As a result, it can manage iron deficiency and the risk of anaemia. Longan also contains trace levels of iron, which may boost red blood cell synthesis and enhance circulation.
Offers Protection Against Chronic Diseases
Free radicals are mostly released by your body as a result of stress. They have a proclivity to cause cellular damage in tissues and organs. Longan’s antioxidants can combat some of these dangerous free radicals. As a result, they avoid aberrant cell death or damage. Overall, this quality lowers the likelihood of developing chronic diseases.
Energizer
Longan fruit may be an excellent choice for caffeine replacement. This luscious fruit can provide a burst of energy in an instant. Furthermore, because longan fruit contains a high concentration of fruit sugars, it is an excellent energy booster.
Longan Fruit Recipes That Are Good For You
Smoothie with Longans
1 serving
Time to prepare: 10 minutes
Ingredients
Longans (seedless and without skin): 50g
10ml coconut milk
30g banana
Method
- Bananas, cut into little bits
- In a blender, combine the longans, coconut milk, and chopped bananas.
- Blend till smooth and serve cold.
Potential Consequences
Sugar Content Is High
Longan contains 65g of sugar per 100g. As a result, eating longan fruit if you have diabetes is probably not a good idea. The high sugar content and minimal fibre content immediately raise blood glucose levels. Furthermore, 100 grammes of fruit contain only about 1 gramme of fibre. As a result, longan fruit does not lower the glycemic response.
The dried and canned types of longan contain more sugar than fresh longan. Furthermore, most canned longans have sweetened syrup. As a result, it has more calories than fresh ones. As a result, longans are not suitable for diabetics or those following a low-sugar diet.
Poisoning from Pesticides
Longan fruit is susceptible to pests during cultivation. Farmers began applying pesticides to protect their harvest as a result. Unfortunately, pesticide and fungicide dosage exceeds permissible limits.
As a result, the risk of food poisoning increases. Furthermore, peeling the fruit with your teeth may expose you to dangerous pesticide levels. Nonetheless, organic versions of longan fruits are available that are free of chemical issues.
Not Safe During Pregnancy
Longan has the potential to raise body temperature. Hot flushes are more common during pregnancy. As a result, ingesting longan may aggravate the condition. It might cause dry mouth, constipation, and stomach pain, which can lead to pregnancy difficulties. As a result, it is advised to avoid eating longans when pregnant.
Conclusion
Longan, like lychee, is a tropical fruit of the soapberry family. Because of its delicate white flesh with a central black seed, it is commonly referred to as ‘dragon’s eye.’ It is, however, less fragrant and has a musky flavour.
Longan fruit is a good source of B vitamins and vitamin C, according to nutritionists. It also contains trace levels of minerals such as phosphorus and copper. Longan fruit has a low calorie count and is regarded as a superfood.
Longan fruit has a variety of health benefits. These fruits improve sleep, alleviate anxiety, and boost libido. Furthermore, this succulent fruit is useful in the treatment of infections, skin problems, obesity, tension, and anxiety.
There are, however, some exceptions. To avoid pesticide poisoning, look for organically produced longan fruits. This tropical fruit, on the other hand, has a number of well-documented health benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What are the advantages of longan fruit?
A. Longan fruits have anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a natural energy booster. They also boost both men’s and women’s libido. Longan fruit advantages also include improving skin health, increasing immunity, and promoting a healthy sleep cycle. They also boost cognition and may help avoid anaemia.
Q. Is longan considered a superfood?
A. Yes, longan contains essential nutrients that have a variety of health benefits. They may, for example, increase immunity and improve skin health. They may also protect against chronic infection and improve sleep quality. Furthermore, it contains extremely few calories.
Q. Is there alcohol in longan?
A. Longan does not contain any active alcohol. However, it is used to produce rum. Macerating longan flesh in alcohol, for example, produces liquor.
Q. Is eating longan every day healthy?
A. In general, 10 longans should be consumed every day. If you have a lot of body heat, you should avoid it. You can eat it every day, but only in moderation, because it is high in vitamin C and iron. Diabetes patients and pregnant women must exercise extreme caution. It is best to consult with your doctor before taking them.
Q. Can you consume the seeds of a longan?
A. Longan seeds are rarely consumed. The seed extracts can be used in herbal tonics and tea. The oil derived from these seeds may aid in the prevention of premature greying of hair. Most people, however, eliminate the seeds and consume only the luscious pulp.
Q. What’s the distinction between lychee and longan?
A. Longan fruit is sometimes confused for Lychees. Both are tropical fruits with white flesh. Longan, on the other hand, is smaller in size. It has brown skin that is smooth. Lychees, on the other hand, have a rough outer skin that is pinkish in colour.
Longans have a musky flavour, whilst lychees have a fragrant, floral flavour. Longans have 60 calories per 100 grammes of serving, whereas lychees have 66 calories. Furthermore, it has greater vitamin C.
Q. Is it safe for babies to consume longan fruit?
A. No, it is not recommended to include longan fruits in a baby’s diet. Because it causes inside heat, newborns may feel discomfort and constipation. Furthermore, the texture and consistency of the fruit may be difficult to chew. As a result, it is best to consult with your doctor before giving them longan fruit.
Q. Do longans get hot?
A. When ingested, longans produce internal body heat. Pregnant women, in particular, should avoid it to avoid difficulties. Eat longans in moderation if you have a high body temperature.
Q. Is the sugar content of longan fruit high?
A. Yes, longan contains a lot of sugar. Longans contain around 65 grammes of sugar per 100 grammes. They also have a very low fibre content. As a result, this fruit may cause a surge in your blood sugar levels.
Q. When should I consume longan?
A. Longan can be eaten at any time of day. Most individuals consume the fruit when they are thirsty. You can even eat the fruit if you’re in the mood for something sweet and juicy. However, it is best to consume them during the day.
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