Longan Fruit Facts Health Benefits 101

Facts about Longans

Indigenous to India and China, longan fruit is a significant crop in Southeast Asian countries. The longan is botanically known as Euphoria longan. The Chinese called it "Dragon's eye" due to its eye-shaped mark around the pit. The fruit with its cousin, the lychee were brought to the US by W. N. Brewster, who was a missionary in Fujian Province, China. Not successful in cool climates, the tropical tree is usually used as an ornamental tree. It yields beautiful thick dark green leaves together with groups of drooping fruit. Fairly majestic and completely gorgeous, the tree currently grows in the United States. As there is an on-going demand for niche fruits in the US, appropriate weather in Florida is likely to help produce longan fruit commercially.

Different in size from a small plum to an olive and ovoid to spherical in shape, longans feature a thin, brown shell known as a pericarp protecting its grayish-white clear pulp. In the middle of the succulent flesh is a big sleek jet-black seed having a white ovoid feature mark. With a flesh similar to a peeled grape, the taste is incredibly sweet and frequently known as a special tasting combination of gardenia, spruce and musk.

Longan Fruit with Shells Peeled in White Background

Health Benefits of Eating Longans

The fresh, delicious and sweet longans contain more health advantages than what we know. Among the lesser-known benefits of longans is they helps prevent any type of stomach ache, infections and improve immune system as well.
This cousin of lychee can do miracles to your nerves and therefore are recommended as an anti-depressant. Furthermore they contain a relaxing effect on the nervous system, they are proven to enhance nerve function, lower irritability and reduce fatigue. Longans also are able to treat neurasthenic neurosis and insomnia.
Longans can improve wound healing as well as increase longevity. It helps combat the free radicals within your body and keep the cells from damage. Furthermore, the fruit helps reduce the risk of some types of cancer and also improve cell creation.
Longans help replenish blood and therefore are superb remedy for anemia. Also, they are able to increase iron assimilation in human body.
The fruit is said to benefit heart health as well. By cutting down stress and fatigue, they offer relief in heart disease and play an important role to maintain the blood pressure.
Fresh longans help create miracles for your skin as well. They are known to contain anti-ageing effect and are proven to improve skin health. The fruit is particularly identified to benefit the delicate skin close to the eyes, minimize peeling and cracking of skin and therefore enhance your complexion.
This delicious, sweet fruit may benefit eyesight, treat teeth and gums problems and oral cracks and sores effectively.

Longan Nutrition and Calories

Nutrition Facts of 1 Longan Fruit (3.2 g)
Calories	2
Total Fat	0.0g
Saturated Fat	0.0g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	0mg
Total Carbohydrates	0.5g
Dietary Fiber	0.0g
Protein	0.0g

How to Choose and Buy Longans?

Select Longans attached to the branches. The fruit ought to be plump and having a fresh pliable shell.
Ripe longans feature an intense tan. Pick fruit that is firm and without any blemishes and bruises.

How to Store Longans?

Store longans in a breathable plastic container or bag in the fridge for around 5-7 days.

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