From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are nine constitutional types. These include the平和体质 (Balanced Constitution), 阳虚体质 (Yang Deficiency Constitution), 阴虚体质 (Yin Deficiency Constitution), 气虚体质 (Qi Deficiency Constitution), 痰湿体质 (Phlegm-Dampness Constitution), 湿热体质 (Damp-Heat Constitution), 血瘀体质 (Blood Stasis Constitution), 气郁体质 (Qi Stagnation Constitution), and 特禀体质 (Special Constitution). Among the nine types, the Yang Deficiency Constitution is more common in women. The so-called Yang Deficiency Constitution is what we refer to as a "体寒" (Cold Constitution). Its main manifestations are a fear of cold and cold hands and feet; an inability to tolerate air conditioning in the summer, needing a shawl as soon as entering an air-conditioned room; and experiencing diarrhea upon exposure to cold. Naturally, insufficient Yang energy leads to a fear of cold. The body does not produce enough heat, resulting in symptoms of deficiency-cold, which is why we call it a Cold Constitution. It's common to have a cold abdomen and cold knees, and some women frequently suffer from dysmenorrhea and a persistently cold abdomen. How should women with a Cold Constitution choose fruits?
Fruit Platter
Most women enjoy eating fruits, but from a TCM diagnostic perspective, women with a Cold Constitution need to be particular about their fruit choices. For instance, women with a Deficiency-Cold Constitution, as well as those with chronic enteritis, duodenal ulcers, or gastritis and gastric ulcers, should best avoid or eat less of cold-natured foods like watermelon, muskmelon, persimmons, pears, and water chestnuts. It is advisable to choose fruits like longan, red dates, chestnuts, ginkgo, lychee, peach, apricot, cherry, and waxberry.
Take the red date, for example. The red date is warm in nature and sweet in taste. It has the effects of replenishing Qi and blood, strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach, and expelling wind. It is ideal for treating allergic purpura, anemia, hypertension, and elevated serum transaminase in patients with acute and chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, as well as for preventing transfusion reactions. Red dates contain triterpenoid compounds and cyclic adenosine monophosphate, which have strong anti-cancer and anti-allergic effects. They also contain substances that combat fatigue, enhancing a person's endurance. Furthermore, red dates can reduce the damage of toxic substances to the liver. The flavonoid compounds in dates have a sedative and blood pressure-lowering effect, making them very suitable for women with a Cold Constitution. Speaking of the peach, in China, the peach has long been hailed as a "寿桃" (Longevity Peach) and "仙桃" (Immortal Peach). Because of its delicious flesh, it is also known as the "天下第一果" (Finest Fruit Under Heaven). Peach flesh contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, vitamin B1, organic acids (mainly malic and citric acid), sugars (mainly glucose, fructose, sucrose, and xylose), and volatile oil. In every 100 grams of fresh peach, water accounts for 88%, protein is about 0.7 grams, carbohydrates are 11 grams, and the calorie content is only 180.0 kilojoules. Peaches are very suitable for women with a Cold Constitution, as well as those with low blood potassium and iron-deficiency anemia.
From a nutritional perspective, there are no inherently good or bad foods; excess is the disaster. There are no bad foods.