Milk
Many people believe that drinking milk in the summer can exacerbate "internal heat," causing irritability. In fact, drinking milk in the summer not only doesn't cause "internal heat," but also helps to clear heat toxins and reduce liver fire. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers milk to be slightly cool in nature, and it can exert a "heat-clearing" effect by nourishing yin and clearing heat toxins. Moreover, milk contains about 70% water, which can replenish the water lost by the body due to excessive sweating in the summer. It should be noted that milk should not be frozen into ice cubes for consumption, as many of its nutrients will be destroyed.
Strawberry
Strawberries are not only delicious but also have medicinal value. TCM believes they have a "heat-clearing" effect, helping to relieve summer heat, clear heat, and alleviate irritability.
Watermelon
Watermelon is cool in nature and will not cause "internal heat" or vexation. It is also rich in potassium salts, which can compensate for the body's loss of potassium due to excessive sweating. However, note that watermelon should not be kept in the refrigerator for more than 3 hours.
Soybean
Soybeans can not only nourish yin and "clear heat" but also replenish the proteins that are heavily consumed due to high temperatures.
Tomato
Although tomatoes are available year-round, they are most abundant, sweetest, and most nutritious in the summer. They can also clear heat and toxins, and pacify the liver to "reduce heat."
Chicken
Chicken is warm in nature and can promote "internal heat." It has excellent therapeutic effects for malnutrition, aversion to cold, fatigue, menstrual irregularities, anemia, and weakness. However, eating too much chicken can cause "internal heat" and trigger mouth ulcers.
Cured Meat
Cured foods contain certain spices and strong liquors. Smoked meats, for example, are also smoked and grilled, which inevitably causes "internal heat." While sausages and cured meats are delicious, it is best to consume them in moderation.
Chili Pepper
Eating chili peppers certainly causes "internal heat," but they are also very nutritious. Every 100 grams of chili peppers contains as much as 198 milligrams of vitamin C, the highest among all vegetables. They are also rich in vitamins B, carotene, and minerals such as calcium and iron. Eating chili peppers in moderation can help prevent "internal heat" and acne, and can also aid in weight loss.
Orange
Everyone likes oranges, but the consumption should not exceed 3 per day, as eating too many can be harmful to the mouth and teeth. Eating too many oranges often leads to symptoms like lip sores, a dry mouth and tongue, a sore throat, and constipation, commonly known as "internal heat." This is because oranges are highly nutritious, with 1000 grams producing 5820 kilojoules (1390 kcal) of energy. After consuming a large amount of oranges, the generated energy cannot be fully converted into fat for storage nor immediately expended, so it accumulates and causes "internal heat."
Litchi
Litchi is warm in nature and should not be consumed in excess, as overeating can cause fever and "internal heat." It may lead to swollen and bleeding gums or nosebleeds. It can also disrupt the body's sugar metabolism. Some people who overeat litchi can develop a hypoglycemic condition known as "litchi disease." Elderly people who eat too many litchis may worsen their constipation. Therefore, those with yin deficiency and excess internal heat should avoid or eat very few litchis, and the elderly should also consume them in moderation.