Lychee

Lychee is a small fruit with a sweet smell and taste, which is available in the summer. It is a small fruit packed with healthy nutrients. It has rough skin outside while contains juicy flesh inside. It is used as medicine in China. ^[1]
The lychee is cultivated in China, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Australia, Mexico and parts of Southern Africa.And China is the main producer, followed by India

Lychee is a highly rich nutrient fruit. It contains a high amount of soluble fiber known as pectin which is beneficial to protect from colon cancer. It contains a good amount of antioxidants that protect the body from carcinogens. Carcinogens are free radicals that are produced in the body due to oxidative stress. So lychee is effective to protect from cancer, aging, arthritis and degenerative disease. Also, it is a great source of potassium which is important for maintaining blood pressure. Along with these, it contains a high amount of other nutrients that promotes health. So, know the amazing lychee health benefits and nutrition facts. ^[1]

History

Cultivation of lychee began in the region of southern China, Malaysia, and northern Vietnam. Wild trees still grow in rainforests in Guangdong province and on Hainan Island. Unofficial records in China refer to lychee as far back as 2000 BC.

In the 1st century, fresh lychees were in such demand at the Imperial Court that a special courier service with fast horses would bring the fresh fruit from Guangdong. There was great demand for lychee in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), according to Cai Xiang, in his Li Chi pu (Treatise on Lychees). It was also the favorite fruit of Emperor Li Longji (Xuanzong)'s favored concubine Yang Yuhuan (Yang Guifei). The emperor had the fruit delivered at great expense to the capital.

In the Chinese classical work, Shanklin Fu, it is stated that the alternate name, meaning leaving its branches, is so-called because once the fruit is picked it deteriorates quickly.

The lychee attracted the attention of European travelers, such as Juan González de Mendoza in his History of the great and mighty kingdom of China (1585; English translation 1588), based on the reports of Spanish friars who had visited China in the 1570s gave the high fruit praise.^[2]

Health Benefits of Lychee

 

• Increase Immunity
• Protects from Free Radicals
• Increase Blood formation
• Increase Metabolism and Promotes healthy weight loss
• Prevent Early Aging
• Prevent High Blood pressure
• Protection from Arthritis
• Protect from Asthma
• Improve cardiovascular health

 

Why Lychee Fruit is so Healthy

Increase Immunity: Lychee is an excellent source of Vitamin C. It contains 71.5 mg / 100 g which fulfills 119% of the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance). With a high amount of Vitamin C, an antioxidant it increases immune system function. It increases immunity to protect against common diseases like a cough, cold, and flu. Vitamin C also increases immune system function to protect from infections. ^[1]

Nutrients

Fresh whole lychee contains a total 72 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams of fruit, an amount representing 86% of the Daily Value (DV) (table, right). On average, consuming nine peeled lychee fruits would meet an adult’s daily vitamin C requirement but otherwise, would supply little nutrient content. A 100 g serving of raw lychee fruit provides, among other dietary minerals in minor amounts, 7% of copper, 4% of phosphorus and 4% of potassium (for DV in a 2000-calorie diet) (table). Lychees are low in saturated fat and sodium.^[2]

Phytochemicals

Lychees have moderate amounts of polyphenols, shown in one French study to be higher than several other fruits analyzed, such as grapes and apples. For phenolic composition, flavan-3-ol monomers and dimers were the primary compounds representing about 87% of total polyphenols that declined in content during storage or browning. Cyanidin-3-glucoside represented 92% of total anthocyanins, with malvidin-3-glucoside also found.

Lychee contains Oligonol, a short-chain polyphenol with antioxidant properties in laboratory studies Basic research indicates oligonol may have physiological effects on certain organ systems, such as endothelial cells or adipocytes.

In traditional Chinese medicine, lychee is known as a fruit with "hot" properties (see the six excesses, for more details on the definition of heat).^[2]

Protection from Free Radicals

Lychee contains a good amount of antioxidant Vitamin C, Vitamin B-complex, and phytonutrient flavonoids. These antioxidants and phytonutrient flavonoids are an important nutrient that makes lychee healthy. Antioxidants are required to protect the body from oxidative stress. High oxidative stress is caused due to pollution and UV radiation. This process creates free radicals from oxygen molecules. These free radicals destroy normal cell DNA and change the function of cells to form cancer cells. But antioxidants neutralize these free radicals and acts as a shield to protect cells from damage. So lychee protects from cancer, inflammation, and degenerative disease. ^[1]

Increase Blood formation

Lychee is a rich source of nutrient that is required for the production of blood. It provides manganese, magnesium, copper, iron and folate that are required for the formation of RBC. Also, it contains Vitamin C that increases the iron absorbing capacity of the body.^[1]

Increase Metabolism

Lychee contains a good amount of fiber and Vitamin B-complex, which increase metabolism fat, protein, and carbohydrate. Fiber-rich foods have proved to suppress appetite and increase metabolism.^[1]

Prevent Early Aging

Ageing is mostly caused due to natural factor like an increase in age. But due to pollution, UV radiation and smoke, the ageing process has been stimulated at an early age, and it is faster than natural. The main cause of ageing is free radical produced in our body, due to high oxidative stress caused due to pollution. But antioxidants have proven to destroy these free radicals to slow the ageing process. It has also been found that people eating high antioxidant foods have slow ageing effect than natural. Lychee contains high amount of antioxidants which is effective to prevent early ageing.^[1]

Prevent High Blood Pressure

In research it was found that antioxidants rich foods lower blood pressure. Lychee contains high amount of antioxidant Vitamin C. Lychee also contains a good amount of potassium. Potassium is required to maintain sodium level. Also high potassium is needed to maintain fluid level i.e. Balance electrolyte. Thus it helps to keep high blood pressure and it reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. Also it contains minerals like manganese, magnesium, iron, copper and folate that maintain blood pressure.^[1]

Arthritis:

Lychee is rich source antioxidants Vitamin C. Antioxidants are useful to protect from free radicals and oxidative stress. So it protects from degenerative disease and prevents arthritis.^[1]

Asthma:

Lychee is also effective to protect from asthma.

Heart Disease

Lychee contains a high amount of dietary fiber which proves the best nutrient that promotes cardiovascular health. Also, lychee has shown to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL) level in blood. Thus, it improves the blood flow towards the heart and thus it reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and hypertension.^[1]

There can't be other thought to consider lychee as healthy food. Due to dense nutrient, it provides many health benefits. But due to its sweet taste, you must give a try. So enjoy the luscious fruit.

 

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References:
[1] http://wiki-fitness.com
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org

 

Gac Fruit

Yes, it has a strange name. No, you most likely haven’t heard of it before. And yes, it is a fruit you need to know. It’s Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis), a strange and beautiful red fruit originating from Vietnam, where it is harvested in December and January. The fruit fat-free throughout Southeast Asia and China, often as an ornamental plant due to its magnificent color. Also known as Chinese bitter cucumber, cundeamor and bhat karela, Gac fruit is rich in the antioxidants beta-carotene, lycopene (seventy times more than in tomatoes), and zeaxanthin. It contains the highest concentration of beta carotene of any known fruit or vegetable (ten times as much as carrots). Beta carotene is a reddish antioxidant that shows up in a host of fresh fruit and vegetables, from apricots to pumpkins. It converts to vitamin A in the body and has a variety of protective properties.^[1]

Ritch Of Acids..!

Gac fruit is also a rich source of saturated, unsaturated, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated fatty acids, which together represent a highly unique profile among fresh fruit. Most fruits are "fat-free", which limits the absorption of their nutrients in the body. But the diverse array of fats in Gac fruit ensures high bioavailability and maximum absorption of nutrients.

Gac Fruit Benefits

As a traditional medicine, Gac fruit has been employed to treat conditions of the eyes, burns, skin problems, and wounds. The juice of the fruit is used as a healthy beverage that is beneficial for the eyes, immunity, reproduction, skin, heart health, and the prostate.^[1]

Source of vitamin A

Because of its unusually high concentration of beta-carotene, Gac fruit is a valuable aid in preventing or treating vitamin A deficiency. One study of children conducted in Vietnam measured blood plasma levels of vitamin A before and after the consumption of a Gac fruit extract. The study showed that vitamin A levels increased with supplementation. In many developing countries, vitamin A deficiency is an epidemic. Such deficiency can cause poor night vision, blindness, reduced ability to fight infections, higher rates of maternal mortality, poor embryonic growth, and reduced lactation. Supplementation with Gac fruit extract can alleviate chronic vitamin A deficiency, and help to reduce these health problems. ^[1]

It may be a Cancer Fighter

One Japanese study reported in the International Journal of Oncology suggested that Gac fruit may be a cancer-fighter. In this lab study, a water extract of the fruit inhibited the growth of certain tumor cells. This does not mean that Gac fruit is a cancer cure, but it almost surely will help to reduce the risk of some types of cancer. No doubt more science on the anti-cancer properties of Gac fruit will be conducted over time.^[1]

Skin Protection

Rich in many powerful antioxidants, Gac fruit naturally helps to reduce damage to skin tissue by protecting it against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress ages skin and causes it to lose its elasticity and healthy appearance, but both the lycopene and beta-carotene in Gac fruit not only protect skin, but also help to improve its appearance.^[2]

Vision Protection

Good nutrition is important to keep your eyes healthy and to function their best throughout your lifetime. And the zeaxanthin in Gac fruit protects the tissues of the eyes against exposure to ultraviolet rays and helps to reduce oxidation of eye tissue, thereby enhancing overall eye health.
Some studies have found that zeaxanthin either help prevent AMD or may slow progression of the Nutrition & Metabolism, as well eyes with greater levels of macular pigments were less likely to have or develop macular degeneration.
As published journal Optometry, participants with early AMD who consumed 8 mg per day of dietary zeaxanthin for one year improved their night driving, and their visual acuity improved an average of 1.5 lines on an eye chart.

Beta-Carotene

Beta-carotene from Gac fruit has powerful antioxidant functions; it helps the body scavenge free radicals, thereby limiting the damage to cell membranes, DNA and protein structures in the cell.

Research studies suggest that intake of β-carotene has a positive association with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease as well as oral cavity, and lung cancers.

When converted to vitamin A in the intestines it has all the functions of vitamin A such as visual cycle, reproduction (sperm production), maintenance of epithelial functions, growth, and development.

Heart Enhancement

The various antioxidants in Gac fruit enhance heart health by specifically combating atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Additionally, both lycopene and beta-carotene show protective activity against the risk of heart attack.^[1]

Reduction BPH

Additionally, lycopene, which is super-abundant in Gac fruit, helps to reduce BPH, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, a five dollar term for enlargement of the prostate. Lycopene can help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.^[1]

 

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References:
[1] http://www.foxnews.com
[2] http://www.naturalnews.com

 

Goji Berry

The goji berry, also called the wolfberry, is a bright orange-red berry that comes from a shrub that's native to China. In Asia, goji berries have been eaten for generations in the hope of living longer.

Over time, people have used goji berries to try to treat many common health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, fever, and age-related eye problems. Goji berries are eaten raw, cooked, or dried (like raisins) and are used in herbal teas, juices, wines, and medicines.^[1]

Benefits of Goji Berries

Goji berries are rich in nutrients. Some studies using goji berry juice found possible benefits in mental well-being and calmness, athletic performance, happiness, quality of sleep, and feelings of good health. But those were preliminary studies that need to be repeated before drawing conclusions. All berries are good for you. It's not clear if goji berries are better than other types of berries, or if goji berry supplements have the same health benefits as the actual berries.^[1]

Nutritional Powerhouse

Goji berries have the highest concentration of protein of any fruit.
They are loaded with vitamin C, contain more carotenoids than any other food, have twenty-one trace minerals, and are high in fiber. Boasting 15 times the amount of iron found in spinach, as well as calcium, zinc, selenium and many other essential trace minerals, there is no doubt that the humble goji berry is a nutritional powerhouse.^[2]

Superfruit

This amazing little superfruit also contains natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-fungal compounds. Their potent antioxidant properties and polysaccharides help to boost the immune system. In traditional Chinese medicine, they are renowned for increasing strength and longevity.

In Chinese medicine, the goji is said to act on the Kidney and Liver meridians to help with lower back pain, dizziness, and eyesight. They are most often consumed raw, made into a tea or extract, or as an ingredient in soups. ^[2]

Healthy Skin

Just like the benefits you get from eating other berries, goji berries are loaded with beta-carotene (a pigment found in plants and fruits) which helps promote healthy and beautiful skin.^[3]

Boost Your Immune System

Goji berries also help to boost the immune system and protect the eyes — talk about a super fruit. And like other berries, goji berries are also an excellent source of vitamin C and can reduce tough cold symptoms.^[3]

Source of Antioxidants

Goji berries are an excellent source of antioxidants because of their oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value. An ORAC value indicates a food's antioxidant power on a relative scale.^[3]

Low Calories

As an another one plus, goji berries are low in calories, fat-free and are packed with fiber — which also helps you manage weight and go to the bathroom on a regular basis.^[3]

 

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References:
[1] http://www.webmd.com
[2] http://www.huffingtonpost.ca
[2] http://thehealthyeatingsite.com

 

Mangosteen

“queen of the tropical fruits.”

The mangosteen fruit (Garcinia mangostana L.) is grown in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, India and several other countries. Most of the scientific research on this fruit involves about a half-dozen of the two dozen knew xanthones in this fruit. Most of the xanthones in Mangosteen have yet to be researched. Mangosteen has a broad range of benefits, perhaps most result from its xanthone phytochemicals/antioxidants. However, Mangosteen also contains catechins, polyphenols, minerals, and vitamins.^[1][2]

The fruit is round, 2.5 to 7.5 cm in diameter, and weighs about 75 to 150 g. The rind is smooth and 0.6 to 1 cm thick. The exterior is pale green when immature and dark purple when fully ripe. The inner pulp contains 4 to 8 juicy white segments that are sweet and faintly aromatic.^[1][2]

Uses:
Mangosteen possesses possible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antihistamine properties.

Mangosteen Powered Antioxidants

Mangosteen provides powerful plant-based antioxidant protection and features a full array of phytonutrients including naturally-occurring xanthones. Xanthones are active antioxidants and provide the body with important nutritional benefits.^[1][2]

Antioxidant

The phenolic compounds from the hull of mangosteen have high antioxidant activity in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity assays. One study documents the neuroprotective activity of extracts of the fruit hull. Similar studies document the antioxidant and ferric-reducing activity of mangosteen compared with various fruits.

A 60-day study with 20 healthy women found improvement of age-related changes in skin smoothness with the cream containing three antioxidants, including mangosteen, compared with placebo cream.^[1][2]

Antihistamine

Several studies found potent inhibitory activity on both histamine release and prostaglandin E 2 synthesis by mangosteen fruit extract. The xanthones alpha-mangostin and gamma-mangostin are histaminergic and serotonergic receptor blocking agents. Alpha-mangostin is a selective and competitive H 1 receptor antagonist while gamma-mangostin is a selective and competitive 5-HT 2A receptor antagonist. Alpha-, beta-, and gamma-mangostin suppressed the upstream degranulation (release of allergic mediators) process in basophilic leukemia cells.^[1][2]

Cancer

Various studies have shown that phytoceuticals in Mangosteen (in some cases known to be its xanthones) have properties such as anti-tumor (shrinks tumors), anti-leukemia, antifungal (critical for all cancer patients), antibacterial (to protect DNA), antioxidants (at least two dozen different kinds of xanthones are in the mangosteen fruit), antiproliferation, kills cancer cells and causes apoptosis (programmed cell death) for some types of cancer. This is a pretty impressive list of cancer credentials!

Alpha-mangostin, mangostanol, and garcinone D extracts from the stem and root bark of G. mangostana were cytotoxic against the CEM-SS cell line.

The efficacy and potency of garcinone E, a xanthone from mangosteen, was compared with 6 chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat 4 hepatoma cell lines. Garcinone E is equal to or more potent than mitoxantrone in cytotoxicity against the hepatoma cell lines and may be more effective than methothrexate, vincristine, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and cisplatin.

Six xanthones were extracted from the pericarps of mangosteen and examined for cell growth inhibition of the human leukemia cell line HL60. All xanthones had documented growth inhibitory effects, but alpha-mangostin showed the most potent inhibitory activity. The mechanism of action is associated with alpha-mangostin activating caspase-9 and -3 but not -8, and mediating the mitochondrial pathway in the apoptosis.

Alpha-mangostin induced growth inhibition in DLD-1 human colon cancer cells with potency similar to 5-FU. The mechanism of action of xanthones from mangosteen is associated with cell-cycle arrest by affecting the expression of cyclins, cdc2, and p27; G1 cell cycle arrest by alpha-mangostin and beta-mangostin, and S cycle arrest by gamma-mangostin. Alpha-mangostin also induces apoptosis that is mediated by the intrinsic pathway through mitochondria and modulates growth-related signal transduction pathways. Another study noted a synergistic growth reduction in human colon cancer DLD-1 cells with combined treatment of alpha-mangostin and 5-FU.^[1][2]

Chemotherapeutic

Several xanthones isolated from the fruit hulls of mangosteen have antifungal activity against three phytopathogenic fungi, Fusarium oxysporum vasinfectum, Alternaria tenuis, and Dreschlera oryzae. Mangosteen also has activity against the dermatophytes Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum, and Epidermophyton floccosum.

Mangosteen has strong antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Alpha-mangostin, from the stem bark of mangosteen, was active against vancomycin-resistant Enterococci and methicillin-resistant S. aureus, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 6.25 to 12.5 mcg/mL. Activity against acne-inducing bacteria Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis is also documented.

The xanthones, alpha- and beta-mangostins and garcinone B, isolated from the fruit hulls and the edible arils and seeds of mangosteen exhibited strong inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with a MIC value of 6.25 mcg/mL.

One study of 60 participants found that an herbal mouthwash containing the pericarp extract of mangosteen may be used, in addition to other treatment, for improving oral malodor.^[1][2]

Other pharmacologic activity

GI disorders
The xanthones from mangosteen may be useful in treating Helicobacter pylori digestive tracts disorders such as peptic ulcer, gastritis, and gastric cancer.

Heart disease A studies documents the efficacy of alpha-mangostin against cardiotoxicity and beta-adrenergic catecholamine-induced myocardial toxicity and oxidative stress. Mangosteen also inhibits oxidative changes in human LDL by acting as a free radical scavenger to protect LDL.

HIV
Noncompetitive inhibition is documented for mangostin and gamma-mangostin against HIV-1 protease.^[1][2]

 

Xanthones contained in mangosteen:

• alpha-Mangostin
• beta-Mangostin
• 3-Isomangostin
• Mangostanol
• Gertanin
• Garcinone A
• Garcinone B
• Garcinone C
• Garcinone D
• Garcinone E
• Maclurin

History

The rind, leaves, fruit, and bark of mangosteen have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. The rind has been used medicinally to treat thick mucus, cystitis, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, as well as intestinal and skin ailments, such as eczema and pruritus.
Concentrates of mangosteen bark have been used medicinally to treat genitourinary disorders, including gonorrhea and stomatosis.
Mangosteen provides critical nutrients to the non-cancerous cells and will likely kill many cancer cells.^[1][2]

 

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References:
[1] http://www.drugs.com
[2] http://www.cancertutor.com