Guiding Experts: Chief Physician Shi Xianyan, Department of Internal Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University; Chief Physician Zhang Yingwen, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine
It's the season when a variety of fresh fruits are abundantly available. Many people take this opportunity to load up on fruits, and many young people pursuing "weight loss" have started eating fruits as a meal. However, relevant experts point out that while fruits are good, they must be eaten "wisely." The nutritional and medicinal value of each fruit is different. To achieve the effect of nourishing the body, one must selectively eat fruits in summer with a specific purpose. Watermelon: Clears heat, relieves summer heat, and promotes urination
It's that time of year for watermelons again. Eating a few bites on a hot summer day can dispel the summer heat. Watermelons contain various vitamins, such as A, B, and C, protein, multiple minerals, and are extremely rich in fructose and malic acid. With a water content as high as 96.6%, it ranks first among all melons and fruits, earning it the title "King of Summer Melons and Fruits."
There is a Chinese proverb: "A few slices of melon on a summer day, and you won't need to grab medicine." This shows that watermelon is most suitable for summer consumption. Watermelon has the effects of clearing heat and relieving summer heat, promoting urination, and lowering blood pressure. It has certain auxiliary therapeutic effects on high fever and thirst, excessive sweating in summer heat, oliguria in nephritis, and hypertension.
The pulp, rind, and seeds of the watermelon can all be used for medicinal purposes. Cutting the watermelon rind into shreds or thin slices, boiling it in water, and then adding tomatoes, eggs, and seasonings creates a soup with the effect of relieving summer heat and promoting urination. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the watermelon rind is called "xigua cuiyi" (green skin of watermelon). It is sweet and cool in nature and taste, and is a good medicine for treating sore throat.
[A Reminder]
Watermelon is a raw and cold food. Eating too much at once can easily harm the spleen and stomach. Those with a weak spleen and stomach, indigestion, or loose stools should especially eat less, otherwise it can lead to bloating, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and accumulation of cold and dampness. The large amount of water in watermelon can also dilute gastric juice, causing indigestion and a decrease in gastrointestinal resistance. Especially, watermelons that are too cold or have been refrigerated for a long time are more likely to harm the spleen and stomach, and may also cause or aggravate pharyngitis. Because watermelon contains a lot of sugar, diabetics should not eat too much of it.
Summer temperatures are high, which is suitable for bacterial growth. If you eat a watermelon that has been open for too long and has been contaminated by bacteria, it can lead to gastrointestinal infectious diseases. One thing to note is that patients with colds and fevers in the summer often eat watermelon to replenish fluids and reduce fever. However, because it is a sweet and cold food, it is not suitable for wind-cold colds or the early stages of a cold, especially for those with symptoms such as aversion to cold and no sweating.
Peach: Highest Iron Content Among Fruits
Among summer fruits, peaches have extraordinary nutritional value. There is a common saying, "Peaches nourish people, apricots harm people." Because peaches are rich in various vitamins, minerals, and fruit acids, their iron content ranks first among fruits. Iron is the main raw material for the human body's blood production and is very beneficial to health, so eating more peaches can prevent and treat anemia.
Eating peaches can not only have the effects of relieving constipation, lowering blood sugar and lipids, and resisting free radicals, but also can remove dark spots, delay aging, improve immune function, and promote appetite. It can be called a health-preserving fruit and a life-prolonging peach.
Children eating peaches can help their healthy growth because the various vitamins in peaches can directly strengthen their bodies and intelligence. Eating fresh peaches also helps to relax the nervous system because it has a regulatory effect on the body.
[A Reminder]
Although peaches are nourishing, they should not be eaten in excess. One a day is enough, and it's best not to exceed two.
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that peaches have the effect of promoting body fluids and moistening the intestines. Therefore, those with a weak spleen and stomach whose main symptom is diarrhea should not eat too many, otherwise it is easy to aggravate the gastrointestinal burden. In addition, peaches are sweet and warm in nature, and people who are prone to "internal heat" should not eat too many, as it can easily "add fuel to the fire," inducing bloating, abdominal pain, etc.
Infants and young children should not eat peaches because they contain a large amount of macromolecular substances. The digestive ability of infants' and young children's gastrointestinal tracts is poor, and they cannot digest these substances, which can easily cause allergic reactions.
Litchi: High in Nutrients, Nourishes Blood and Lungs
Litchi is not only crisp and tender, sweet and delicious, but also very nutritious. It contains a large amount of fructose, vitamins, protein, citric acid, etc., and has high medical value. The litchi fruit has the effects of replenishing qi and blood, regulating qi, dissipating stagnation, and relieving pain.
Litchi contains a particularly high amount of natural glucose. For example, high-quality varieties like Nuomici and Guimei have a glucose content of over 66%. Natural glucose has special effects on nourishing blood and strengthening the lungs, and has a special promoting effect on blood circulation and body temperature regulation. Therefore, litchi can be used as a therapeutic food to nourish the body. For people with weak hearts and lungs, eating litchi has the effect of strengthening the heart and lungs. It can also promote blood circulation in tiny blood vessels, prevent the outbreak of freckles, and make the skin smoother.
[A Reminder]
Litchi is considered a "damp-heat" product. There is a saying, "One litchi is like three fires." Therefore, if you are currently having acne, sores, a cold, or have acute inflammation, it is not suitable to eat litchi, as it will aggravate the condition.
Eating too many litchis can easily lead to "litchi disease," which manifests as dizziness, palpitations, and cold sweats. At the same time, to prevent "internal heat," you can drink a small bowl of salt water before eating litchis, and save another small bowl to drink after you finish. Alternatively, you can soak the peeled litchi flesh in salt water for a while before eating.
In addition, do not eat litchi on an empty stomach, and the daily intake should not exceed 300 grams.