Food is the first necessity of the people, but there is also a "way" to eating. The so-called spring warmth, summer heat, autumn coolness, and winter cold not only signify the natural law of the changing seasons but also highlight the principles of diet. In this regard, Wang Guowei, Vice President of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, who has extensive research in diet and health preservation, deeply remarked: "The concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that humans and nature are harmoniously unified. People should adapt to the laws of nature, and this is especially true in terms of diet." The most fundamental principle is to eat "according to the person, the place, and the time."
For example, watermelon has the effects of relieving summer heat, clearing heat, and promoting urination, making it very suitable for summer consumption. However, for people with a weak and cold spleen and stomach, it is not advisable to eat too much. In terms of region, because southern China is mostly in the plum rain season during summer, one should eat more foods that strengthen the spleen and dry dampness, such as Job's tears; the climate in the north is dry, so attention should be paid to nourishing the lungs and moistening dryness, consuming ingredients like lily. Of course, in addition to paying attention to diet based on place and time, it is even more important to eat according to the time. Traditional Chinese Medicine says: nourish the liver in spring, the heart in summer, the lungs in autumn, and the kidneys in winter, and nourish the spleen and stomach in all four seasons. Heart-protecting foods should be the focus of summer, and everyone can eat more of the following four common summer fruits and vegetables that protect the heart.
Watermelon: Relieves vexation, quenches thirst, clears heat, and resolves summer heat. It is applicable to conditions such as excessive heat injuring fluids, summer heat vexation and thirst, difficult urination, throat obstruction, and mouth sores.
Cucumber: Its skin is green, its juice is abundant, and it is crisp, tender, and delicious. It contains about 97% water and is an excellent product for promoting the production of fluids and quenching thirst. Fresh cucumber has the effect of clearing heat and resolving toxins, and also has a significant effect on eliminating dampness, lubricating the intestines, and relieving pain. It is advisable for those with constipation in summer to eat more.
Peach: Promotes the production of fluids, moistens the intestines, invigorates blood, and eliminates stagnation. It is applicable to vexation and thirst, blood stasis, difficult bowel movements, difficult urination, and abdominal fullness. Eat two after lunch and dinner daily.
Bitter Melon: Bitter melon tastes sweet and bitter and is cold-natured. The old melon gradually turns yellow-red and tastes sweet with a neutral nature. It can eliminate pathogenic heat, relieve fatigue and乏, and clear the mind and improve vision. People who are tired from work can eat more of it.