People's tastes vary greatly, with preferences for sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty flavors all being different. Traditional Chinese Medicine for health preservation holds that for good health, foods of all flavors should be consumed in balance.
Sweet: In TCM, it is believed that sweet flavor enters the spleen. Eating sweet foods can nourish Qi and blood, replenish heat, relieve fatigue, and regulate the stomach and detoxify. However, patients with diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases should consume it in moderation.
Sour: TCM says "sour generates the liver." Sour foods have the effect of enhancing digestion and protecting the liver. Regular consumption not only aids digestion and kills bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, but also prevents colds, lowers blood pressure, and softens blood vessels. Sour-based foods like tomatoes, hawthorn, and oranges are rich in vitamin C, which can prevent cancer, resist aging, and prevent arteriosclerosis.
Bitter: As the old saying goes, "good medicine tastes bitter." In TCM, it is believed that "bitter generates the heart" and "bitter flavor enters the heart." Bitter flavor has the effects of removing dampness and promoting urination. For example, bitter gourd, when eaten regularly, can treat edema.
Spicy: In TCM, it is believed that spicy flavor enters the lung. It has the effects of inducing sweat and regulating Qi. Commonly eaten foods like green onions, garlic, ginger, chili peppers, and peppercorns are primarily spicy. The "spicy elements" in these foods can protect blood vessels, regulate Qi and blood, and clear the meridians. Regular consumption can prevent colds caused by wind and cold. However, it is not suitable for people with hemorrhoids, constipation, or neurasthenia.
Salty: As the king of the five flavors, it is never tiresome to eat. In TCM, it is believed that "salty flavor enters the kidney." It has the effect of regulating the osmosis of the body's cells and blood, maintaining normal metabolism. After vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating, it is advisable to drink a moderate amount of light salt water to maintain normal metabolism.