The scorching summer heat and muggy weather often leave people feeling irritable, with poor appetite and sleepless nights. Fortunately, we have a variety of vibrant, juicy summer fruits. Before you are completely captivated by them, it's best to get to know them well and do your homework! Otherwise, you might accidentally fall into their "gentle traps."
Watermelon: Clears heat and relieves summer heat + Diuretic
Watermelon contains a large amount of water. In the summer, we sweat a lot, and nutrients are lost through sweat. Eating some watermelon can help replenish the lost fluids. Regular consumption of watermelon can lower blood lipids and soften blood vessels, providing auxiliary therapeutic effects for cardiovascular diseases. The citrulline and arginine in it can promote the formation of urea in the liver and have a good diuretic effect. The sugar content of watermelon is generally 5% to 12%, including glucose, fructose, and sucrose, with almost no starch. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the juice and rind of the watermelon are often used for medicinal purposes.
Contraindications: It is cold in nature and high in sugar, so it can clear heat and purge fire. People with a weak spleen and stomach, or poor digestion, should try to eat less watermelon. Its high sugar content means diabetics should avoid it.
Apricot: Beautifying + Anti-cancer + Relieves cough
Sweet, juicy, and rich in various vitamins, the fruit has anti-cancer properties, can kill cancer cells, and long-term consumption may also prolong life. Apricot kernels are extremely nutritious. Bitter apricot kernels can relieve coughs and asthma, lubricate the intestines, and promote bowel movements. Regular consumption can also make the skin ruddy and glossy. They can be eaten as food or used as medicine. Apricots are warm in nature, suitable for people with a slow metabolism, anemia, or a "deficient-cold" constitution with cold limbs.
Contraindications: People with a "excess-heat" constitution may easily experience symptoms of getting "heaty" from eating too many apricots, which can worsen symptoms like a dry mouth and throat, and constipation.
Peach: Iron supplement + Moistens intestines and promotes bowel movements
Peaches are mild in nature and have high nutritional value. They contain various vitamins, fruit acids, and inorganic salts such as calcium and phosphorus. Their iron content is relatively high, 4 to 6 times that of apples and pears, making them an ideal supplementary food for patients with iron-deficiency anemia. In addition, eating more peaches can replenish qi and blood, nourish yin and generate fluids, and also has the wonderful effects of activating blood to resolve stasis and moistening the intestines to promote bowel movements.
Contraindications: There has been an old saying that "peach kernels are slightly toxic and should not be eaten in excess." Therefore, eating too many peach kernels can cause fever or even poisoning. Eating peaches at the same time as soft-shelled turtle meat or burnt liquor can be dangerous, potentially leading to fainting or stomach pain.
Lychee: Stimulates appetite and strengthens the spleen
Lychees contain various nutrients, including sugar, protein, multiple vitamins, fat, citric acid, pectin, and phosphorus and iron. Lychee juice is sweet and the flesh is soft, making it a very pleasant food. Lychees can promote blood circulation, making the skin smoother and more elastic. Lychees are "heaty" in nature, suitable for people with a weak constitution, a cold stomach, or anemia.
Dietary restrictions: Lychees contain components that lower blood sugar. Eating too many can cause a hypoglycemic reaction known as "lychee disease." Main symptoms include thirst, sweating, dizziness, diarrhea, and even coma. Additionally, lychees can easily make one "heaty," so it is best to eat only 3 to 5 at a time.
Bayberry: Promotes saliva production to quench thirst + Aids digestion and dispels summer heat
Bayberries have been considered a delicacy among fruits since ancient times. They are rich in protein, sugar, fruit acids, calcium, iron, vitamin C, and other nutrients. The vitamin B12 and vitamin C in them play a positive role in preventing and fighting cancer. The fiber in the fruit can promote gastrointestinal motility and help the body detoxify. Furthermore, bayberries can promote saliva production to quench thirst, relieve summer heat and diarrhea, aid digestion, and benefit the kidneys. They have a good effect on improving the common summer problems of irritability and loss of appetite.
Contraindications: Bayberries are warm in nature; eating too many can cause a "heaty" reaction such as general body heat and excessive phlegm. In addition, the fruit acid in bayberries can corrode teeth, so you should brush your teeth promptly after eating them.