The young girl developed symptoms of low blood sugar, including drowsiness and cold sweats, after eating lychees.
Hot summer weather also marks the peak lychee season. While this sweet and juicy fruit is a favorite for many, it is important to be aware of its potential health risks. Recently, a 6-year-old girl in Fujian was rushed to the hospital after eating a large amount of lychees on an empty stomach. She developed symptoms of hypoglycemia, including sleepiness and cold sweats. Doctors warned that severe cases can become life-threatening.
According to reports, the child ate more than 10 lychees at once after school while she was hungry and the adults were not paying attention. Shortly afterward, she became drowsy and started sweating profusely. Alarmed, her parents immediately took her to the hospital. Tests showed that her blood glucose level was only about 3 mmol/L, indicating hypoglycemia.
Doctors explained that in severe cases, this condition can be fatal. Lychees are very sweet and contain high amounts of natural sugars, especially fructose. After consuming lychees, the body produces glucose and releases insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. However, if too much insulin is secreted, blood sugar may drop sharply, leading to hypoglycemia.
To reduce health risks, doctors recommend that adults eat no more than 15 to 20 lychees per day, while children should consume only about half that amount. Lychees should also be avoided on an empty stomach. In addition to lychees, other high-sugar foods such as Watermelon, Apple, Honey, sugar, and sweetened beverages may trigger similar reactions in people with blood sugar regulation problems or heightened insulin sensitivity.
June is the peak of lychee harvest season, and many distinctive varieties are widely available in markets. However, lychees are considered a “heating” fruit in traditional beliefs, and overeating may lead to dry mouth, nosebleeds, and other symptoms associated with internal heat.
Tip for Storing Lychees: Soaking in Salt Water Helps Preserve Freshness
Ministry of Agriculture of Taiwan has shared a useful storage method. If you need to refrigerate lychees, first wrap them in damp newspaper, or soak them briefly in salt water before wrapping them in newspaper, placing them in a plastic bag, and storing them in the refrigerator. This method can effectively extend the fruit’s freshness and preserve its flavor.