As soon as autumn arrives, autumn fruits come to market in a steady stream, with 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." Overindulgence can also lead to illness, so do not take it lightly when you are "satisfying your appetite."
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 with coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, nephritis, or diabetes should strictly avoid eating too many.
2. Pear: It has effects such as relieving coughs, reducing phlegm, and moistening dryness, and is effective for treating coughs, asthma, wind-heat, and pharyngitis. Because it is cold-natured, those with a weak spleen and stomach, clear drooling, or 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 and accumulates in the body, causing the skin to turn yellow, leading to "carotenemia," commonly known as "orange jaundice." This is followed by a range of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and general weakness. After developing "orange jaundice," one should consume an appropriate 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 rich in nutrients, and has effects such as lowering blood pressure, stopping bleeding, clearing heat, lubricating the intestines, and moistening the lungs to promote fluids. However, it contains a large amount of persimmon gum and pectin, which will condense into fibrous clumps when they meet stomach acid, forming a "bezoar" (stomach persimmon stone), leading to 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 stomach persimmon stone.
5. Pomegranate: It contains large amounts of fructose and various vitamins and minerals, has a sweet taste and a warm nature, and is considered a "damp-heat" type of fruit. Pomegranate is effective for treating dysentery, rectal prolapse, and pharyngitis, but those with a weak constitution, yin deficiency, and internal heat should eat it with caution. Those with early-stage diarrhea or damp-heat should also not eat the fresh fruit. Even for healthy people, it should not be eaten in excess, as it can damage teeth and cause loss of appetite.
6. Chestnut: It contains starch, protein, crude fiber, and various vitamins, has a sweet taste and a warm nature, and is sweet, glutinous, and delicious, 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 nourishing the liver, and regulating the gastrointestinal tract. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is called the "kidney fruit" and is especially suitable for those with kidney disease. 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 the effect of stopping diarrhea, so it is contraindicated for those with constipation, as it can worsen the symptoms.