What Happens If You Eat Too Many Lychees?

Lychees were widely used in ancient Chinese medicinal practice and have resurfaced in numerous cultures as healthy fruit options. With high levels of fundamental nutrients and vitamins, lychees are a good choice for healthy eaters and can have certain health benefits. When consumed in excess, however, people have reported adverse effects. Based on several reports, consumers should refrain from eating more than six to eight lychees at a time.

Dangers of Over-Consumption

• A 2004 Chinese consumer council report cautions against over-consumption of lychees for several reasons. According to Chinese doctors, over-consumption "may cause hypoglycemia leading to fever, seizure and unconsciousness." Western doctors believe that lychees can only be dangerous in excess if the subject is allergic to lychees, which may cause "fall in blood pressure, gastrointestinal upset, respiratory distress, skin edema, dizziness and unconsciousness." Both Eastern and Western medical professionals agree that diabetics are at an increased risk when over-eating lychees due to their high sugar levels, and should avoid eating more than six or seven lychees at a time.

Reported Side Effects

• Lychees are considered a "hot" food in Chinese culture, a classification that depends on the energetic qualities of the food, such as whether it is raw or cooked, what color it is and if it is spicy or bland. Eating too many "hot" foods is said to throw off the balance of the human body -- personal accounts and folklore attest to the belief that too many lychees can cause bloody nose, sore throat and sores in the mouth. Elizabeth Lee from HealthRabbit.com reports that she experienced a sore throat during a short period of time in which she was frequently eating lychees.

Folklore

• Su Tung Po, a Chinese poet, painter and satirical writer during the Song dynasty, wrote a famous poem about eating 300 lychees a day to console himself while in exile. More recently, a stomach ulcer patient in Florida claimed that eating one to three lychees before larger meals helped him feel more comfortable after the meal, and may have aided in digestion.

Health Benefits

• Aside from the possible risks of over-consuming lychees, consuming them at low to moderate levels can have certain positive effects. The fruit contains significant levels of iron, calcium, protein, fiber and potassium, and its high level of vitamin C provides the antioxidants important to the body's immunity. Lychees may also help prevent osteoporosis, swollen glands, gastralgia and coughs.