With rising temperatures and a warming climate, the variety of fruits available on the market is increasing day by day. Fruits are beloved by all for being both delicious and nutritious. However, citizens should not underestimate the knowledge of selecting fruits. Just as people can be quick-tempered or slow-tempered, fruits are also classified as "cool," "warm and hot," or "neutral" in nature. Only by matching the right fruit to the season and one's own constitution can fruits exert their "remarkable" beneficial health effects.
I. Not long ago, foreign media reported that different fruits contain different nutrients and are suitable for people in different professions. What is the connection between fruits and specific groups of people?
persimmon: Suitable for tired manual laborers and drivers. In most cases, the body feels fatigued due to ischemia. Persimmons contain a large amount of iron, which can stimulate the production of hemoglobin. Persimmons also help drivers who often inhale exhaust fumes expel toxins from their bodies.
pineapple: Suitable for athletes. Pineapple has anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling effects, and can also improve blood circulation, promoting the recovery of tendonitis and injuries.
banana: Suitable for people in the service industry. Bananas can relieve stress, improve work efficiency, and reduce fatigue. Eating more bananas can keep service industry workers in a cheerful mood.
pear: Suitable for office workers who use computers. Pears are rich in vitamins A, E, and B2, which are good for eyes that are in a working state for long periods.
mango: Suitable for white-collar women. Mangoes are rich in carotene and unique enzymes that can make the skin elastic and delay wrinkle formation, making them most suitable for young, beautiful women.
kiwi: Suitable for the elderly and children. Because its vitamin content is twice that of oranges, eating more kiwis can better improve immunity and avoid infections. When choosing fruits, start by understanding their "natures."
Let's first classify fruits. According to traditional medicine, fruits are divided into three types: Cool and cold fruits mainly include citrus, orange, water caltrop, banana, persimmon, watermelon, etc.; Warm and hot fruits mainly include tangerine, jujube, chestnut, peach, apricot, longan, lychee, grape, cherry, pomegranate, pineapple, etc.; Mild and neutral fruits include plum, coconut, loquat, hawthorn, apple, etc. Generally, it's best to eat warm and hot fruits in the winter, cool and cold fruits in the summer, and mild and neutral fruits are suitable all year round.
II. People with weak spleen and stomach should be cautious about eating cold-natured fruits.
At the turn of spring and summer, fruits that have the effects of promoting saliva production to quench thirst, moistening the throat, and relieving dryness are the best choice for the body to replenish energy. The following five classic fruits are top choices for this season, as most of them have the aforementioned functions. However, most popular fruits in spring and summer are cold-natured and are not suitable for everyone.
pear: (Suitable): Pear has the functions of promoting saliva to quench thirst, resolving phlegm and clearing heat, moistening the lungs and relieving dryness. It is suitable for people with lung-heat cough, dry throat and sore throat, constipation, high blood pressure, and patients with hepatitis or cirrhosis. (Not suitable): Pear is cold in nature, so it is not suitable for people with a weak spleen and stomach, indigestion, or postpartum blood deficiency.
banana: (Suitable): It is sweet and cold in nature with a slightly astringent taste. It has the effects of clearing heat to quench thirst, cooling the stomach and cooling blood, moistening the intestines to relieve constipation, and lowering blood pressure and promoting urination. It is a very healthy food for those with yin deficiency and dry intestines, or blood-heat and qi stagnation. (Not suitable): Bananas are not suitable for people with a weak spleen and stomach or insufficient yang energy, as they can exacerbate deficient fire.
apple: (Suitable): It is neutral in nature and sweet and sour in taste. It has the effects of nourishing the heart and qi, promoting saliva to quench thirst, and strengthening the spleen and stomach. Apples are very nutritious. The tannic acid and organic acids they contain have an astringent effect, and the pectin and fiber can absorb bacteria and toxins, thus stopping diarrhea; the fiber can facilitate bowel movements, and the organic acids can stimulate the intestines to relieve constipation. The potassium element can combine with excess sodium in the body, which is beneficial for preventing and treating high blood pressure. (Not suitable): People with a weak spleen and stomach should not eat too many apples.
kiwi: (Suitable): It has effects such as relieving heat and quenching thirst. It is rich in nutrients such as sugar and vitamin C, especially the vitamin C content is far higher than that of pears and apples. (Not suitable): People with a weak spleen and stomach should not eat too many.
watermelon: (Suitable): A summer treasure for relieving summer heat, it is cool and sweet. Watermelon has the effects of clearing heat and relieving vexation, quenching thirst and relieving summer heat, relieving chest tightness and promoting qi flow, treating sore throat, promoting urination, treating bloody dysentery, and detoxifying alcohol. (Not suitable): Eating too much watermelon at once can cause indigestion or diarrhea.
III. Choose fruits based on your constitution.
Special effects of fruits: People with indigestion or high blood pressure should eat more hawthorn, peaches, oranges, etc.; those with diarrhea can eat more pomegranates, persimmons, etc.; those with insomnia and dreams can eat more longans, lychees, walnuts, jujubes, etc.; people who are prone to "heatiness" might as well eat more apples...
In summary, people with a cold constitution should eat warm and hot fruits and be cautious with cool and cold fruits; it's the opposite for those with a "hot" constitution; and mild and neutral fruits are suitable for all types of constitutions.
Contraindications for eating fruit: People with diarrhea should avoid bananas; diabetics should avoid grapes; those with spleen-yang deficiency and loose stools should avoid water chestnuts; those with lung-cold and loose stools should avoid snow pears; those with indigestion and stomach problems should avoid red dates; those with acid reflux due to stomach problems should avoid olives; those with yin deficiency and flourishing fire should avoid lychees; the weak, postpartum women, those suffering from external cold, and those with blood deficiency should avoid persimmons; those with poor gastrointestinal function due to spleen and stomach deficiency should avoid watermelon, etc.
Eat fruits in moderation.
How much fruit is best to eat per day? The Chinese Nutrition Society recommends in the "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents" that citizens should consume 400-500 grams of vegetables and 100-200 grams of fruit per day. In simple terms, this standard means eating 2 units of fruit per day (1 cup of fruit juice or 1 medium-sized fruit equals 1 unit).
Different fruits contain different nutrients. Therefore, it is best to choose a variety of fruits. If your financial situation allows, it is recommended to eat two different fruits per day, consumed in multiple servings.
Recently, scientists have also discovered that eating fruits multiple times a day can prevent cancer. For this reason, some countries have launched a "eat five fruits a day" campaign.
Timely fruit consumption.
Many citizens are accustomed to eating fruit after a meal. However, recent research has found that eating fruit after a meal is not scientific, for four reasons:
● Fruit can easily get stuck in the stomach along with food, leading to bloating, constipation, and other issues, adversely affecting digestion.
● Fruits contain a lot of sugars, such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, and starch. Eating fruit immediately after a meal increases the burden on the stomach, intestines, and pancreas. Some fruits are high in starch and are not easily digested.
● Fruits are rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, etc., which have strong water-absorbing properties. When they absorb water, they expand, increasing the feeling of fullness. When there is too much cellulose, it can also affect the absorption of vitamins and trace elements.
● For people who need to lose weight, eating a large amount of fruit after a meal can lead to obesity due to excess energy.