"One ride in the red dust, the concubine laughs, no one knows it's a litchi." Litchi, with its sweet and smooth texture, bright color, and translucent flesh, captivates those who taste it. However, if not eaten properly, it can also cause a health risk known as "litchi disease." Here, we will provide you with the correct way to eat litchi!
What is litchi disease?
Litchi is delicious and tempting, and many people can't seem to get enough of it. However, if a large amount of litchi is consumed on an empty stomach, it can cause hypoglycemic reactions, such as dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, pale complexion, dizziness, and fainting. In severe cases, it can cause cold limbs, rapid pulse, low blood pressure, convulsions, difficulty breathing, and even death. This is known as "litchi disease".
How can litchi, which is sweet, cause hypoglycemia?
1. Litchi contains a large amount of fructose, which stimulates insulin secretion and easily causes hypoglycemia.
When the body is on an empty stomach, blood sugar levels are already low. If a large amount of litchi is consumed in a short period of time, the fructose is converted into a large amount of glucose, which stimulates insulin secretion. Insulin then accelerates the utilization of glucose and inhibits its production, leading to a decrease in blood sugar levels.
2. Litchi seeds contain hypoglycin A, which lowers blood sugar levels.
Eating too many litchis reduces appetite and reduces the intake of other foods. This can lead to a decrease in stored sugars in the body, while fats and proteins are not broken down in time to replenish blood sugar, leading to a sudden drop in blood sugar and the onset of symptoms.
The dangers of delayed treatment for litchi disease
1. Hypoglycemia can cause sympathetic nervous system excitement, leading to symptoms such as hunger, dizziness, pale complexion, palpitations, and fatigue.
2. If treatment is delayed and severe hypoglycemic coma lasts for more than 5 hours, it can cause systemic dysfunction and metabolic disorders, dysfunction of the brain, leading to confusion, convulsions, and even death.
The correct way to eat litchi
1. Adults should not eat more than 300 grams of litchi per day, and children should not eat more than 5 at a time.
2. It is recommended to eat litchi about half an hour after a meal, and not on an empty stomach or in excessive amounts.
3. Patients with tonsillitis, pharyngitis, constipation, and diabetes should be cautious when eating litchi.
4. While eating litchi, you can drink some lightly salted water, or soak the litchi with the skin in lightly salted water and then freeze it before eating.
5. In case of hypoglycemia, promptly replenish sugar and seek medical attention if necessary.
How to choose fresh litchi
1. Look:
Litchis with uneven and deep wrinkles usually have smaller pits. Litchis with larger and regular cracks have a better texture.
2. Pinch:
Pinch the bottom of the litchi. If it feels hard, it means the pit is larger. If it feels soft, it means the pit is smaller.
3. Touch:
Litchis that are moist and smooth are fresh. Try to buy them from stores that have refrigerated or have ice to preserve them.
