Incredible Benefits of Longan
Even though it’s been termed both berries and nuts, Longan is neither of these things in reality. Rather, it is a fruit affiliated with the lychee in both appearance and taste. Longans grow in clusters on the branches of trees. Approximately the size of a giant grape, the fruit is spherical and quite large. The white flesh of the fruit surrounds a dark seed that can be found beneath the strong, brown shell of the fruit. This structure is the basis of the term “dragon’s eye.” The flesh of the longan fruit is similar to that of a grape in both taste and texture, but the flavor of the longan fruit has a note of musk to it.
Longan is a fruit that originated in India or China that is quite famous in Asia. An Asian market may be your most promising hope for locating fresh Longan. Besides fresh, Longan is also available in canned and dried form. Traditional Chinese medicine makes use of both the fruit and the seed to promote healing and general well-being in patients. Although scientific evidence does not support all of the health claims made for Longan, the fruit does contain nutrients that are beneficial in maintaining overall health.
Although scientific evidence does not support all of the health claims made for Longan, the fruit does contain nutrients that are beneficial in maintaining overall health.
Health Benefits of Longan
It Improves the Health of the Skin
Longan fruits, which contain high quantities of vitamin C, have been shown to successfully reverse the effects of aging. It helps to diminish the formation of pigmentation, blemishes, fine lines, and wrinkles. Furthermore, this fruit is beneficial in the production of collagen. As a consequence, it makes it more effortless for new skin cells to grow on the surface. As an upshot, it helps to maintain the skin’s health.
According to the findings of a study, vitamin C in Longan helps to decrease oxidative damage to the skin. As a result, Longan is beneficial to the health of the skin. For example, it helps to reduce the amount of cracking and peeling of the skin. It also has the added benefit of reducing skin dryness and assisting in the preservation of a youthful sheen.
Increases Libido
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the longan fruit has traditionally been used to boost sex drive in both men and women. Several research studies have revealed that longan fruit is believed to be an aphrodisiac and that it can aid in increasing libido in some people.
Several research studies have revealed that longan fruit is believed to be an aphrodisiac and that it can aid in increasing libido in some people.
Because it contains a high concentration of vitamin C, this fruit may be beneficial in the creation of collagen, which is necessary for the growth and development of every tissue, cell, and muscle in the body. The presence of adequate collagen means that repair can take place properly and efficiently.
Controlling Blood Pressure
Longan includes a significant amount of potassium, which aids in the regulation of blood pressure. Numerous nutritionists believe that potassium is a nutritionally under-consumed nutrient, with the average American consuming only approximately half of the required daily allowance.
Historically, people ingested approximately 16 times more potassium than sodium, whereas Americans today consume twice the amount of sodium as potassium. Some scientists believe that this imbalance is one of the factors contributing to the high prevalence of high blood pressure. Considering that high blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke, those who consume enough potassium in their diet have a more subordinate risk of suffering a stroke.
Increases the Body’s Resistance against Disease
The longan fruit possesses powerful anti-microbial characteristics. The immune system is aided as a result of this in its fight against pathogens. Furthermore, it is high in vitamin C, which is a well-known antioxidant that can help to prevent the detrimental effects of free radicals.
According to scientific evidence, longan fruit consumption has been shown to aid in the immune system’s defense mechanism by increasing the production of white blood cells. Furthermore, longan tea and herbal infusions created with the plant have been shown to effectively prevent respiratory abnormalities, sore throats, common colds, and fever in humans.
Neuroprotection May Be Possible
According to research, Longan may aid in the regulation of electrolytes in the body, which in turn may aid in the improvement of the function of the central nervous system. Electrical signals essential for every activity in the body must pass via electrolytes, so this fruit can aid in overall function as well as the movement of muscles.
It Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
The longan fruit’s outer layer, pulp, and seeds all have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics that aid in the healing of wounds and the reduction of inflammation in the body. Gallic acid, epicatechin, and ellagic acid were discovered in a 2012 research study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. These antioxidants have been shown to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals in your body, including nitric oxide, histamine, prostaglandins, and tissue necrosis factor (TNF).
It Treats Anemia and Iron Deficiency
Longan extracts, along with other local herbs, are used in Chinese traditional medicine to treat intractable anemia, thrombocytopenia, and other blood-related illnesses that cannot be cured with conventional methods. It was discovered that urban women who did not consume the recommended amount of iron by the World Health Organization (WHO) had lower iron levels in their diets.
Dried longans provide 1.5 milligrams of iron per ounce of dried fruit. When you include longans in a fruit custard or salad, you will notice a significant increase in platelet count and hemoglobin concentration, especially in menstruating and pregnant women.
Longan Relieves Anxiety and Stress
Longan includes natural calming and soothing effects, which are attributed to the presence of essential oils in it. As a result of Longan’s ability to enhance blood circulation in our bodies, our bodies receive the right quantity of oxygen and nutrition. It is also extremely beneficial for our nervous system, which allows it to function properly and battle worry and stress.
For Fat-Burning
The effects of Longan on fat burning and weight loss in people have not been studied in humans, despite the fact that a couple of animal studies have been conducted. Keep in mind that weight loss in lab animals—especially in highly regulated and unnatural environments—frequently does not translate into any meaningful benefit in humans.
Having said that, longan fruit extract prevented weight gain and a rise in blood lipids in rats on a high-calorie diet, according to the findings. Its planned consequences were extensive and comprised everything listed below:
- Lower triglyceride levels in the blood
- Reduced the activity of genes linked to fat storage in the body (FAS)
- Reduced levels of liver fat
- Boosted the activity of genes that decrease LDL cholesterol (LDLR)
- Reduced body weight and overall fat
- It is thought that an increase in PPAR alpha will help to increase metabolism and fat burning.
- Improved fat excretion through the stool
Longan fruit extracts also include probiotic bacteria (Pediococcus Pentosaceus), which are a form of lactic acid bacteria that can be found in yogurt. In obese mice fed a high-fat diet, this plant-based probiotic reduced weight gain, total fat accumulation, and hepatic fat accumulation. As with longan extract, there is a paucity of human evidence on this probiotic strain.
It Has Anti-Cancer Properties
Longans contain a high concentration of polyphenols. Polyphenolic substances such as gallic acid help to eliminate free radicals, which create stress, as well as harmful intermediates, which can lead to cancer. The antioxidant properties of the fruit, flower, and seed are all comparable.
Longan seed extracts have been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine to inhibit DNA synthesis and reduce the production of unwanted oncoproteins in tumors, resulting in the destruction of the tumors.
As a result, consuming longan fruits or seed extract powders can effectively suppress the growth of breast, liver, colorectal, lung, and cervical cancer cells in a systematic manner.
Longan Has Been Shown to Improve Vision
Longan is extremely high in vitamin C and riboflavin, both of which are quite useful for our eye or vision health. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and prevents oxidative damage to our cells, thus preventing macular degeneration of eye cells. Vitamin C is also a powerful anti-inflammatory. According to research, longan consumption on a daily basis has been shown to lower the chance of developing a variety of eye conditions, including cataracts, according to research.
It Is Believed That Longan Can Prevent Oral Diseases
As a result of its antibacterial and pain-relieving characteristics, Longan can be used to offer us a more comprehensive dental care regimen. Antibacterial characteristics aim to safeguard our mouth from bacterial development and infection, and it also aids in the speeding up of the healing process if we have an ulcer or a cut in our mouth.
It Prevents the Development of Chronic Diseases
Free radicals are produced mostly as a result of stress in your body. They have a proclivity to cause cellular harm in various tissues and organs. Longan contains antioxidants that can help to combat some of these toxic free radicals. As an outcome, they are able to contain aberrant cell death or damage. This characteristic, taken as a whole, lowers the likelihood of getting chronic diseases.
