As soon as autumn begins, autumn fruits are continuously brought to market in a wide variety. Due to their rich nutrition, delicious taste, and dual benefits as both food and medicine, everyone is eager to be the first to taste them. However, eating autumn fruits is not a case of "the more, the better." Overindulgence or excessive consumption can also lead to illness. Therefore, when you are "indulging your palate," do not take this lightly.
Dietary Restrictions for Various Fruits in Autumn
1. Apple: Apple juice can stop diarrhea. Eating it on an empty stomach can treat constipation, while eating it after a meal can aid digestion. However, apples are rich in sugars and potassium salts, and excessive intake is not beneficial for heart and kidney health. Those suffering from coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, nephritis, or diabetes should strictly avoid eating too many.
2. Pear: Pears have effects such as relieving coughs, reducing phlegm, and clearing dryness, and are effective for treating coughs, asthma, wind-heat, and pharyngitis. Because of their cold nature, those with a weak spleen and stomach, who spit clear saliva, or have loose stools should consume them with caution. Also, due to their high sugar content, overconsumption can raise blood sugar, so diabetics should eat them in moderation.
3. Citrus: Citrus fruits contain a large amount of carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the blood and accumulates in the body, causing the skin to turn yellow, leading to "carotenemia," commonly known as "orange jaundice." This is followed by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and general fatigue. If you develop "orange jaundice," you should consume more vegetable oil and drink plenty of water to accelerate its dissolution, conversion, and excretion.
4. Persimmon: Rich in vitamins A and C, as well as tannic acid, persimmons are nutritious and have effects such as lowering blood pressure, stopping bleeding, clearing heat, lubricating the intestines, moistening the lungs, and promoting body fluids. However, they contain a large amount of persimmon gum and pectin. When they encounter stomach acid, they coagulate into fibrous masses, known as "bezoars," leading to epigastric pain and indigestion. Furthermore, because pectin has an astringent effect, those with constipation should avoid them. They should not be taken on an empty stomach, nor eaten with crabs or sweet potatoes, as this more easily leads to bezoar formation.
5. Pomegranate: Containing large amounts of fructose and various vitamins and minerals, pomegranates are sweet and warm in nature, belonging to the category of damp-heat fruits. Pomegranates are effective for treating dysentery, rectal prolapse, and pharyngitis. However, those with a weak constitution, deficiency of yin, and internal heat should consume them with caution. Those with early-stage diarrhea or damp-heat should not eat fresh fruit either. Even for healthy people, overconsumption can damage teeth and cause loss of appetite.
6. Water Chestnut and Chinese Water Chestnut: Many people eat raw water chestnuts by peeling them with their teeth and eat raw water chestnuts without peeling them, without sterilizing them, which can easily lead to an infection of fasciolopsiasis. The parasite is thick and, under a microscope, looks very much like a slice of ginger. After entering the human body, it resides in the small intestine, leading to malnutrition, weight loss, and anemia, and is especially harmful to children. Furthermore, both are cold and slippery in nature, and even healthy people should not eat too many. Those with a weak spleen and stomach, loose stools, or insufficient kidney yang should avoid them.
7. Chestnut: Containing starch, protein, crude fiber, and various vitamins, chestnuts are sweet, warm in nature, and have a sweet, glutinous, and pleasant taste, earning them the reputation of "king of a thousand fruits" and "woody grain." Chestnuts have the effects of replenishing qi, tonifying the kidneys, strengthening the spleen and liver, and regulating the digestive system. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is called the "kidney fruit" and is especially suitable for those with kidney problems. However, chestnuts are firm and difficult to digest when raw, and can easily cause stagnation and indigestion when cooked. Therefore, one should not eat too many at once. They have an effect of securing the intestines and stopping diarrhea, so those with constipation should avoid them, as it can worsen the symptoms.