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Longan, commonly known as the dragon eye because of its translucent appearance, is a tropical fruit with a pleasant flavour. This small, round fruit is small in size but very powerful in terms of health benefits.
Longan is added to dishes, whether fresh or dried, as an ingredient to add flavour and health benefits. Curious yet? You should dive here to find out how this exotic jewel can make your wellness routine and why it is time to make longan the star of your diet.
All About Longan Fruit
Longan is a round, tiny fruit with a translucent, pearly white interior and a shiny, brown skin. It looks like a lychee, but in a smaller version, with a floral, juicy interior that is floral and sweet.
The fruit is generally the size of a marble, with one seed in it. Longan is native to Southeast Asia and grows in tropical environments, and it is becoming common in some parts of India, especially Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
It is gaining popularity for its unique taste and various health benefits.
Regional Names of Longan Fruit in India
In different parts of India, Longan is known by various names. The names in different Indian languages are as follows:
- Assamese: Asphol
- Bengali: Ashphol, Nagalichi
- Kannada: Kendaala, Kanekendaala
- Malayalam: Pempunna, Pempuuvam, Poripunna
- Marathi: Omb, Umb
- Khasi: Dieng Loba
- Garo: Samphal Bol
- Tamil: Chempuvam, Kattuppuvam, Pirappan, Puvam
- Konkani: Wumb

Health Benefits of Longan Fruit
The fantastic health benefits that longan fruit has are listed below, and this makes the longan fruit your overall powerhouse in terms of health:
1. Boosts Immunity
Longan fruit may be a good complement to a balanced diet in supporting immunity. It is high in vitamin C, which may help activate the production of white blood cells required to fight infections.[1]
Longan antioxidants may also boost immunity by neutralizing harmful free radicals, reducing oxidative stress, and protecting cells. Vitamins and minerals are other phytonutrients that support the immune system; therefore, they are a healthy, natural way to maintain a robust immune system.[2]
Longan can be a good addition to your diet if you have healthy blood sugar levels and feel reenergized and healthier.
2. Supports Heart Health
Longan fruit is a heart powerhouse, primarily due to its good potassium content.[3]
Potassium in the body may help maintain normal blood pressure by balancing sodium levels. This kind of balance may help maintain heart health. [4] .
Opting to incorporate Longan into your diet would be like feeding your heart the nutrients it needs to circulate and keep its cardiovascular system healthy and robust when you promise a healthy lifestyle.
3. Improves Digestion
Longan is also a source of dietary fibre that may help regulate bowel movements, manage constipation, and support a healthy gut.[5]
Fibre also increases stool bulk, making it easier to pass and enhancing overall digestion. In addition, longan is high in water, which softens the stool, aids digestion, and decreases the risk of bloating.[6]
Longan supports a healthy digestive system by increasing gut motility and managing digestive discomfort. Eating regularly may enhance nutrient absorption, enabling your body to get the most out of your food.
Aashirvaad Atta and Multigrains offers a two-minute, no-hustle questionnaire quiz, the Digestion Quotient, which may help you understand the state of your digestive system. It is fast, simple, and can be an initial step toward a healthier, happier gut! Take a test and start feeling better.
4. Boosts Hydration
Longan is also a refreshing fruit; it is water-rich, with nearly 80 percent water. Water plays a critical role in the general processes of body function, as it is crucial for nutrient absorption, digestion, and toxin removal. .
Like most fresh fruits, longan contains water and contributes modestly to daily hydration, which makes it an ideal addition to your diet. .
5. Anti-Inflammatory Effect and Antioxidant Protection
Potent antioxidants, such as vitamin C and polyphenols, are also present in the longan and may help protect the body against oxidative stress.
Potentially harmful free radicals that cause cell damage and inflammation, thereby negatively affecting the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, may be neutralised.
Longan also has an anti-inflammatory effect, helping manage the body’s inflammatory response.[7] t
You can take advantage of these protective compounds and live wellby consuming longan along with a balanced diet to mitigate the effects of cellular damage and support overall well-being.
6. Skin Health
Longan is an excellent source of natural antioxidants and collagen-promoting nutrients, like vitamin C, which are essential for keeping the skin young and glowing.
Longan is an important source of vitamin C, which may help form collagen, the substance that makes the skin elastic and firm. [8]
Collagen is known to manage the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, enhancing smoother skin.[9] Longan also contains antioxidants that may be used to protect the skin against dangerous free radicals that cause it to age very fast.
Also, longan is hydrating, which may help maintain your skin hydrated and looking healthy and glowing. When you consume longan, you provide your skin with the nutrients it needs to look young and fresh.
Longan Fruit: How to Use Longan Fruit in Your Diet
Longan is a fruit that can be consumed in different forms, as you either have it fresh, dried, or in a more imaginative cooking process. The following is how you can get the most out of this tropical treasure:
- Fresh Longan: The easiest method of eating longan is to remove its thick and brown outer layer and chew the juicy and transparent inner part with your mouth. It is naturally sweet and refreshing, making it an ideal snack on its own, particularly when the weather is hot.
- Dried Longan: Dried longan offers all the benefits and can be a nice addition to your pantry. Dried longan is served in teas, smoothies, or desserts. It provides a distinctive sweet flavor and chewiness to dishes, making it ideal for enjoying longan year-round.
- Longan in Smoothies: Longan fruit is an excellent addition to your smoothies, and it has a nice flavor and is also very nutritious. Mix it with other fruits, such as mango, banana, or coconut, to go tropical.
- Longan in Desserts: Longan pairs well with sweet dishes, such as puddings, fruit salads, or gelatin. It is also common in Asian desserts (e.g., longan soup), where it is combined with other fruit and served in a light, sweet soup.
- Salads and stir-fries: You can add longan to your savoury dishes. No matter whether it is served with salads, stir-fry, or even meat, it can complement the flavours and add a natural yet not overly sweet element.
Longan is also fresh and dry, and it is easy to incorporate this health-promoting, tasty, and unique ingredient into whatever you are cooking.
Aashirvaad Atta and Multigrains have collaborated with professional nutritionists to introduce the My Meal Plan Test. This is a fast and simple test that will help you understand how much fibre you already consume daily and develop a personalised diet.
The Bottom Line
Longan fruit, in general, is a true treasure that can be utilised in many manifold variations to benefit health and manage heart, digestive, and skin health. It is a practical addition to any diet, as it is an antioxidant that manages stress and supports hydration.
Longan is easy to add to your diet, both fresh, dried, or cooked, and it is healthy and well-tasting. This is a nutritious supplement to your healthy lifestyle, offering diverse health benefits and versatility.
However, diabetic individuals should avoid it due to its natural sugar content, which can impact blood sugar levels.
It is worth remembering that one of the most important aspects of general health is a balanced diet, and that consulting a medical professional is always an advantage. Eat longan and reap the rewards of a healthy life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Longan is indigenous to Southeast Asia and has small, round, clear flesh. People also refer to it as the dragon eye because of its appearance.
Longan is a vitamin C, antioxidant, and potassium supplement that boosts immunity, supports heart and skin health, promotes digestion, and manages stress.
You can eat longan fresh with the peel off, or dried and made into a snack, with a bitter-sweet, crunchy texture. It can also be incorporated into smoothies, desserts, salads, or savoury dishes, providing them with a taste and health benefits.
In fact, longan contains collagen-promoting nutrients and antioxidants that make the skin look younger and brighter and help manage wrinkles and oxidative damage.
Absolutely! Longan is both sweet and savoury, as it is used in fruit salads, stir-fries, soups, and desserts. It enhances tropical flavours and adds incredible sweetness to any food.




