Lychee disease really exists, and the consequences are serious! These 4 types of people should not eat lychees

Lychee, as a treasure among summer fruits, is rich in vitamin C and minerals, sweet and delicious, and is loved by people. However, in recent years, reports and research on lychee diseases have attracted people's attention.

Litchi disease is a symptom of hypoglycemia caused by excessive intake of litchi. Litchi contains a large amount of fructose. Excessive intake of fructose will stimulate insulin secretion, leading to lower blood sugar. Especially when eating a large amount of litchi on an empty stomach, hypoglycemia symptoms are prone to occur. Symptoms of litchi disease include dizziness, sweating, pale complexion, fatigue, palpitations, thirst, hunger, etc. In severe cases, symptoms such as cold limbs, decreased blood pressure, and convulsions may occur. Litchi disease usually occurs about 3 to 5 hours after eating litchi. The occurrence of litchi disease is related to Hypoglycin A in litchi, which affects the glycogenolysis of glucose and causes hypoglycemia symptoms.

Lychee disease is a relatively rare but serious illness that can have adverse health effects in certain groups of people. Here are four reasons why people should avoid eating lychees.

1. People with hypoglycemia

Litchi disease mainly occurs in patients with hypoglycemia. A substance in litchi, methylenecyclopentylamine (MCPG), is considered to be one of the causes of litchi disease. When the human body consumes too much litchi, MCPG may cause a hypoglycemic reaction, which in turn causes neurological dysfunction and cerebral stroke, and even leads to coma and death. Therefore, patients with hypoglycemia should be cautious before eating litchi and follow the doctor's advice.

2. Malnourished children

For children with malnutrition, consuming too much lychee may lead to more serious consequences. The acid and sugar in lychee may cause gastrointestinal discomfort and may cause diarrhea and dehydration. Therefore, lychee is not the best food choice for malnourished children, and more balanced nutritious foods should be prioritized.

3. Patients with renal insufficiency

Litchi contains a certain amount of potassium ions, and the kidneys of patients with renal insufficiency cannot effectively eliminate excess potassium ions from the body. Excessive intake of lychees may lead to increased serum potassium ions, which in turn may cause cardiovascular problems such as arrhythmia and cardiac arrest. For this group of people, lychee consumption should be further limited or avoided to protect heart health.

4. People with allergies

Lychees may be an allergen for some people, causing allergic reactions. One manifestation of lychee allergy is lychee protein allergy (LTP allergy), which mainly manifests as itching, swelling, and shortness of breath on the lips, tongue, and throat. For people who are known to be allergic to lychees, eating lychees may cause severe allergic reactions and even be life-threatening. Therefore, people with allergies should avoid contact with and eating lychees.

Litchi disease is particularly common in litchi producing areas in Guangdong Province, China, and usually occurs during the litchi harvest season, so it is also called the "litchi disease seasonal epidemic." To prevent litchi disease, people are advised to avoid excessive intake of litchi, especially hypoglycemic patients and children. At the same time, patients who have already experienced hypoglycemia should seek medical treatment in time.