High summer temperatures cause excessive sweating, leading to significant loss of body fluids and various nutrients, which can easily result in physical fatigue and thirst. This is a sign of energy and yin depletion, affecting the spleen and stomach function, causing decreased appetite and impaired digestion. Therefore, one should eat more of four types of food in the summer.
"Sour" Foods
Appropriate consumption of sour foods can help stop sweating, relieve diarrhea, and expel dampness. It can prevent excessive sweating from depleting energy and yin, and also promote fluid production to quench thirst, strengthen the stomach, and aid digestion. Examples include tomatoes, lemons, strawberries, grapes, hawthorn, mangoes, and kiwis. Adding vinegar to dishes can also sterilize and disinfect, preventing gastrointestinal diseases.
"Bitter" Foods
As the saying goes: "Eating bitter foods in hot weather is better than taking supplements." Bitter foods contain amino acids, alkaloids, and glycosides, and have functions such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, heat-relieving, and refreshing. Common "bitter" foods include bitter melon, dandelion, tea, and chocolate. However, it should be noted that excessive consumption of bitter foods at once can cause discomfort such as nausea and vomiting.
"Potassium"-rich Foods
Hot weather causes heavy sweating, which washes away large amounts of potassium, leading to hypokalemia. This can result in fatigue, lightheadedness, headaches, poor appetite, and listlessness. At this time, it is best to eat more potassium-rich foods, such as strawberries, peaches, spinach, green onions, and celery. Drinking more tea in hot weather can also help cool down and replenish potassium.
"Qi-regulating" Foods
Hot weather often leads to physical and mental fatigue, irritability, poor appetite, and sleeplessness. In addition to relaxing, stretching, and regulating one's mental state, it is particularly important to choose qi-regulating and appetizing foods. Examples include radishes, rosebuds, lotus root, hawthorn, and oranges.
Ding Zhen Soup King — Sheng Di Bai Rou Tang (Rehmannia Lily Lean Pork Soup)
Ingredients: 50g lily bulb, 20g Rehmannia root, 200g lean pork, appropriate amount of seasoning.
Method: First, wash the lily bulb and Rehmannia root. Wash the lean pork and slice it. Place all ingredients in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, and simmer for 2 hours. Add seasoning before serving.
Effects: Cooling and heat-clearing, anti-summer, and calming. Also suitable for those with constipation and dark, hot urine.
Ding Zhen Soup King — Lian Zi Yi Mi Tang (Lotus Seed and Job's Tear Soup)
Ingredients: 120g lotus seeds, 100g Job's tears (Coix seed), 100g Gordon Euryale seeds (Fox nut), appropriate amount rock sugar.
Method: Place the lotus seeds, Gordon Euryale seeds, and Job's tears in a pot with water and cook for 1 hour. Add rock sugar and serve.
Effects: Nourishes yin and calms the spirit, clears heat and dispels summer heat.