by Idyllwilde

Created on: May 11, 2008   Last Updated: June 16, 2008

In the high-fashion culture of natural medicine, the far East is usually thousands of years ahead of the West in its style of medical treatment. So it is with the use of lychee berries in the diet, a fruit which originated in Southern China. This fruit is a large, red, heart-shaped berry, often associated with love because of its appearance. While the outside is inedible, the white fruit inside is very sweet and has many health aids attributed to it.

Lychee berries are extraordinarily rich in vitamin C; in fact the concentration of this vitamin is the second highest of all fruits. Vitamin C is known for its contribution to heart health, improved circulation and the possibility of adding years to one's life. Its role in the maintenance of connective tissue and collagen in the body is significant to the general health of the body, and is known to cause wounds to heal more rapidly.

Riboflavin (vitamin B) is also present in lychee berries; research has shown that this vitamin is a great preventative of depression and migraines, along with numerous other ailments. Lychee berries are also a plentiful source of potassium and fiber - which is good for intestinal health and the treatment of intestinal illnesses. If you are worried about your weight consider that this fruit has a very low fat content: only 7 calories per berry.

One of the most promising aspects of lychee berries is its possible use in treating breast cancer. Research has shown that it interferes with the formation (and progression) of tumors through a process called 'apoptosis'. Apoptosis is a type of 'cell suicide'; a planned and controlled self-destruction of a cell. There are other applications of the berry that are being tested in hopes of finding new cancer treatments.

This delicious fruit can be introduced into the diet in many ways: it is delicious eaten alone, it can be added to desserts and is widely used in China in juices. As an example, this is a recipe for a drink called 'Lychee Berry Splash':

* 1 oz Raspberry Vodka
* 1/4 oz Lychee Liqueur
* 2 oz Strawberry Daiquiri Mix (Try Mr. & Mrs. T Strawberry Daiquiri mix)
* 3 oz Lemonade
* In a steel cocktail shaker filled with ice add the ingredients; shake and strain into a Martini Glass, preferably chilled. Garnish with a strawberry and raspberry skewer.

Lychee berries can be made into a sorbet or sherbet, or incorporated with any number of drinks, juices and desserts. It is always a treat to find a food that is not only tasty but will also enhance your physical and mental health.

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