Peaches are a fruit deeply loved by the people. There is a folk saying, "Peaches nourish people, apricots harm people, and plums bury people under the trees." This means that among the three fruits—peaches, apricots, and plums—which are harvested around the same time, peaches nourish qi and blood and can be eaten without concern. Because peaches are rich in nutrients and highly beneficial to human health, people often regard them as a symbol of good fortune, longevity, and auspiciousness, earning them the fine names of " longevity peaches" and "immortal peaches."
Peaches are high in iron, and iron is an important element for blood production. Therefore, peaches can replenish qi and blood, making them an ideal supplementary food for those with various weaknesses and fatigue, as well as for postpartum and postoperative patients. Peaches are rich in potassium and low in sodium, making them also suitable for patients with heart disease and edema.
Peaches are also rich in pectin-like substances. These substances can absorb a large amount of water in the large intestine, thus achieving the effect of preventing and treating constipation. For elderly people and women with blood-deficiency and intestinal-dryness-type constipation, eating one or two peaches a day can alleviate some symptoms, provided they do not have diabetes.
Sun Simiao, a famous physician and pharmacologist of the Tang Dynasty, called peaches "the fruit of the lungs" and "a food suitable for lung diseases." For patients with recurrent chronic, deficient, and cold-type cough and asthma, eating peaches is also beneficial.
In addition, peaches also have the effect of beautifying the skin. Regular consumption of peaches can improve skin elasticity and make the skin ruddy and lustrous.
However, although peaches are good, they are not suitable for everyone, and it's not the case that eating more is harmless. While there is a folk saying that "peaches nourish people," there is also the saying "peaches fill you up." "Peaches fill you up" means that eating peaches can easily make you feel full, which can easily lead to bloating. Therefore, for people with indigestion, bloating, or loose stools, it is best to eat fewer peaches.
Peaches are considered "warm" in nature. Ancient physicians repeatedly emphasized that "eating too much generates heat" and "can trigger sores and carbuncles." Therefore, for patients with inflammation, infectious diseases, or skin conditions, as well as those with cholecystitis or pancreatitis, a cold, or fever, eating peaches often aggravates their condition. One must not mistakenly assume that because peaches are juicy, they are "cool" in nature and not a "triggering food." This is a common misunderstanding that should be given sufficient attention.