Why shouldn't you eat ginger in the fall? As autumn arrives, our diet begins to change again. Some foods are recommended to be eaten more, while others should be consumed in moderation, such as ginger.
Actually, the saying "don't eat ginger in the fall" doesn't mean you should avoid it entirely. Rather, it's advisable to eat less ginger during this season, and you should especially avoid it at night, as it can easily lead to 'heatiness' (上火). As an old saying goes: "Within a year, don't eat ginger in the fall; within a day, don't eat ginger at night." Nutrition experts from China Eating Net explain that autumn is not a time to completely avoid ginger, but the key is to avoid 'excessive consumption' and 'eating it at night'.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, ginger is pungent, warm, and non-toxic. It benefits the five organs, strengthens the spleen and stomach, expels wind and cold, and can alleviate symptoms like cold-induced headaches, nasal congestion, coughing with shortness of breath, vomiting, and phlegm. Modern medicine suggests that ginger contains volatile oils that can accelerate blood circulation. It also contains gingerol, which stimulates gastric juice secretion, excites the intestines, aids digestion, and has antibacterial properties. Ginger also contains shogaols, which can help reduce the risk of gallstones.
However, despite its many benefits, ginger has its own rules for consumption, and season and time are among them. Because ginger is a pungent and 'hot' natured food, and much of its moisture is lost during cooking, it can easily cause 'heatiness'. The autumn climate is dry, and this 'dryness' can harm the lungs. Eating pungent ginger on top of this can further damage the lungs, increase dehydration and dryness in the body, and exacerbate the harmful effects of autumn dryness. Therefore, it's best to eat less ginger in the fall. The reason for 'not eating ginger at night' is mainly because ginger's pungent and warming nature can interfere with normal nighttime rest. Furthermore, consuming ginger at night can easily generate internal heat, and over time, lead to symptoms of 'heatiness'.