As soon as autumn arrives, autumn fruits are continuously brought to market in a wide variety. Because they are nutritious, delicious, and beneficial for both food and medicine, everyone wants to be the first to taste them. However, eating autumn fruits is not a case of "the more, the better"; excessive consumption can also lead to illness. When you are "indulging your palate," do not take this lightly.
1. Apple: Apple juice can stop diarrhea, eating it on an empty stomach can treat constipation, and eating it after a meal can aid digestion. However, apples are rich in sugars and potassium, and excessive intake is not good for heart and kidney health. Those suffering from coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, nephritis, or diabetes must avoid eating too many.
2. Pear: It has effects such as relieving coughs, resolving phlegm, and clearing dryness, and is effective for treating coughs and asthma, wind-heat, and pharyngitis. Because it is cold in nature, those with a weak spleen and stomach, who spit clear saliva, or have loose stools should eat it with caution. Also, because of its high sugar content, overeating can raise blood sugar, so diabetics should eat it in moderation.
3. Citrus: It contains a large amount of carotene, which is converted into vitamin A after entering the bloodstream. It accumulates in the body, causing the skin to turn yellow, leading to "carotenemia," commonly known as "orange jaundice." This is followed by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and general fatigue. After developing "orange jaundice," one should consume a moderate amount of vegetable oil and drink plenty of water to accelerate its dissolution, conversion, and excretion.
4. Persimmon: It contains large amounts of vitamins A, C, and tannic acid, is nutritious, and has effects such as lowering blood pressure, stopping bleeding, clearing heat, lubricating the intestines, moistening the lungs, and promoting body fluids. However, it contains a large amount of persimmon gum and pectin. When it encounters stomach acid, it condenses into a fibrous mass, known as a "bezoar," causing epigastric pain and indigestion. Also, because pectin has an astringent effect, it is contraindicated for those with constipation. It should not be taken on an empty stomach, nor should it be eaten with crabs or sweet potatoes, as this can more easily lead to a bezoar.
5. Pomegranate: It contains large amounts of fructose and various vitamins and minerals. It is sweet and warm in nature, and is considered a "damp-heat" fruit. Pomegranate is effective for dysentery, rectal prolapse, and pharyngitis, but those who are constitutionally weak, have yin deficiency, and internal heat should eat it with caution. In the early stages of diarrhea or those with damp-heat, fresh fruit should not be eaten. Even for healthy people, it should not be eaten in excess, as it can damage teeth and cause loss of appetite.
6. Water Chestnut, Water Bamboo: Many people eat raw water chestnuts by peeling them with their teeth and eat raw water chestnuts without peeling them, without disinfection and sterilization, which can easily lead to an infection of fasciolopsiasis. The fluke is thick and fat, and under a microscope, it looks very much like a slice of ginger. After entering the human body, it parasitizes in the small intestine, leading to malnutrition, emaciation, and anemia, and is more harmful to children. Furthermore, both are cold and slippery in nature, and even healthy people should not eat too many. Those with a weak spleen and stomach, loose stools, diarrhea, or insufficient kidney yang should not consume them.
7. Chestnut: It contains starch, protein, crude fiber, and various vitamins. It is sweet, warm in nature, and has a sweet, glutinous, and refreshing taste, earning it the reputation of "king of a thousand fruits" and "woody grain." Chestnuts have the effects of replenishing qi, tonifying the kidneys, strengthening the spleen and liver, and regulating the digestive system. Traditional Chinese medicine calls it the "kidney fruit" and it is especially suitable for those with kidney problems. However, chestnuts are firm and difficult to digest when raw, and when cooked, they can easily cause stagnation and indigestion, so one should not eat too many at once. It has an effect of securing the intestines and stopping diarrhea, so it is contraindicated for those with constipation, as it will worsen the symptoms.