Is Lanzones Good for Your Health? A Nutritional Deep Dive

January 10, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the National Nutrition Council, a 100-gram serving of the edible portion of lanzones contains around 57 calories and a good amount of dietary fiber. This tropical fruit, also known as langsat, is native to Southeast Asia and offers a range of health benefits that make it a nutritious addition to your diet.

Quick Summary

This tropical fruit is a source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, supporting immunity, digestion, and skin health, but moderation is advised due to its sugar content and toxic seeds.

Key Points

Rich in Nutrients: Lanzones contains essential vitamins (A, C, B-complex) and minerals (potassium, calcium), crucial for overall health and vitality.
Antioxidant Power: The fruit provides antioxidants like polyphenols and limonoids that combat cell-damaging free radicals, with the skin and seeds being particularly rich.
Digestive Aid: Its dietary fiber content supports healthy digestion, promotes regular bowel movements, and can help prevent constipation.
Heart Health Support: High in potassium, lanzones helps regulate blood pressure, contributing to a healthier cardiovascular system.
Promotes Skin Wellness: The presence of vitamins A and C, along with antioxidants, benefits skin health by combating aging and aiding in cell repair.
Aids in Weight Management: Low in calories and high in fiber, lanzones can help you feel full, making it a satisfying and healthy snack option.
Caution is Key: While the flesh is safe, the seeds and peel contain toxic compounds and should not be consumed.

The juicy, translucent flesh of the lanzones fruit, a tropical native of Southeast Asia, is a source of essential vitamins, minerals, and potent antioxidants. Understanding its nutritional profile highlights its wellness benefits, from supporting digestive regularity to potentially offering anti-cancer properties. Proper consumption, avoiding inedible parts, is key to maximizing these benefits.

The Nutritional Profile of Lanzones

Lanzones is low in fat and protein, primarily composed of carbohydrates, offering a quick energy source. Its low-calorie density and good fiber content make it a healthy snack option for weight management.

Key Vitamins and Minerals

Potassium: Supports blood pressure regulation and heart function.
B-Complex Vitamins: Including riboflavin (B2) and thiamine (B1), vital for energy metabolism and nervous system health.
Vitamin A: Important for vision, skin, and mucous membranes.
Vitamin C: Boosts immunity and provides antioxidant protection.

Major Health Benefits of Lanzones

Rich in Antioxidants

Lanzones contains natural antioxidants like polyphenols and limonoids, which protect against free radical damage and may offer anti-cancer properties. While present in the flesh, the peel and seeds are particularly rich in these compounds.

Aids Digestive Health

The fruit's dietary fiber content promotes healthy digestion and helps prevent constipation by ensuring regular bowel movements. The bark and peel have also been traditionally used to treat digestive issues like diarrhea.

Boosts the Immune System

Lanzones' Vitamin C content strengthens the immune system, aiding the body's defense against infections and potentially shortening the duration of illnesses.

Supports Heart Health

High potassium in lanzones helps regulate blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Supports Skin Health

The antioxidants and Vitamin C in lanzones benefit skin by combating free radical damage. The rind is also traditionally used topically for skin irritations due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Comparison of Lanzones (Langsat) vs. Duku

Langsat (a type of lanzones) and duku are related but have key differences.


Feature	Langsat (Lansium domesticum)	Duku (Lansium parasiticum)
Appearance	Small, round or oval, thin yellowish skin	Similar size, thicker yellow-brown skin
Taste	Sweet-tart, juicy	Sweeter, less tart
Texture	Translucent, juicy segments	Slightly firmer, less juicy
Seeds	Bitter, inedible	Smaller, less bitter
Traditional Uses	Digestive health, fever, mosquito repellent	Primarily digestive remedies

Cautions and Considerations

Potential Side Effects

The seeds and peel contain toxic compounds and should not be eaten. Unripe fruit can be astringent due to tannins.

Blood Sugar Management

Due to natural sugars, individuals with diabetes should consume lanzones in moderation.

How to Enjoy Lanzones

Fresh: Peel and eat segments, avoiding the seed.
Fruit Salads: Add peeled segments.
Smoothies/Juices: Blend the flesh.
Salsas and Jams: Utilize the sweet-tangy flavor.

Conclusion

Lanzones is beneficial for health when consumed correctly and in moderation. Its nutritional profile supports the immune system, digestion, heart health, and skin. Traditional uses and modern findings confirm its status as a valuable fruit. Avoid the seeds and peel and enjoy this tropical fruit as part of a balanced diet. For more on the chemical properties, consult scientific literature.

Reference: : Lansium domesticum—A Fruit with Multi-Benefits: Traditional Uses, Phytochemicals, Nutritional Value, and Bioactivities. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9002712/

Frequently Asked Questions

Lanzones is a good source of B-complex vitamins like riboflavin and thiamine, as well as Vitamin A and Vitamin C, which contribute to energy metabolism, vision, immunity, and skin health.

Yes, lanzones can aid digestion due to its dietary fiber content, which helps regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. The bark and peel have also been traditionally used to treat diarrhea.

Yes, both the seeds and peel of the lanzones fruit contain compounds that can be toxic if consumed in large quantities. It is important to only eat the translucent, edible flesh.

Yes, lanzones is beneficial for heart health, as it is rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. The fruit also contains polyphenols that reduce inflammation and protect blood vessels.

Yes, lanzones contains powerful antioxidants, including polyphenols and limonoids, that help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. The peel and seeds have a higher concentration of these compounds.

People with diabetes should consume lanzones in moderation. The fruit contains natural sugars that can cause spikes in blood glucose levels if eaten excessively.

Yes, lanzones can promote skin health. The fruit's antioxidants and Vitamin C combat aging, while the rind can be applied topically to soothe skin irritations like acne and rashes.

While related, lanzones (langsat) has a thinner skin and a more sweet-tart flavor, whereas duku has a thicker skin and is generally sweeter and less tart. Langsat seeds are also more bitter than duku seeds.