Blog82: Bihar's Muzaffarpur Dealth:Is Litchi the only Culprit?

Litchis are usually a favourite with most, but it's not without its deadly side, literally. Eating unripe litchi on an empty stomach has been linked with outbreaks of high fever followed by seizures and death in young children from poor socio-economic backgrounds in rural Muzaffarpur in Bihar and other litchi-growing regions in India during the harvest season in May and June.

The summer fruit could be rich in Vitamin C but having it on an empty stomach should be a strict no-no. Also, skipping a meal after eating the fruit might not be advisable as unripe litchi contains a toxin, called methylene-cyclo-propyl-glycine (MCPG), which can drastically bring down the blood sugar level, especially in children, making it lethal for them. Malnourishment adds to the fast deterioration of an affected person's health. 

Reports showed that the dangerous combination of eating litchi on an empty stomach and skipping meal could result in acute low blood glucose level and lead to acute encephalopathy syndrome (AES), a condition that altered brain functions, causing convulsions, coma and in some cases, death.

Other Factor Responsible:

• Malnutrition
• Heat stroke
• Unhygienic conditions

Litchi is not the only culprit above factors are also responsible for AES.
Take Away:

• Eat ripened litchis but avoid the fruit when you’re fasting.
• Provide ORS to balance the electrolyte levels to those who suffering from AES. Give them plenty of water for hydration.
• Do not step out in the peak hours or under lazing sun to avoid heat strokes.
• Drink plenty of water. Instead of having tea or coffee, consume water, lemon water, aam pana and sattu drink.
• Keep yourself hydrated.

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Also Read: Beat the heat

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