Fruits to Eat More of in Summer
In early summer, cases of "internal heat" (上火) are common. With a large variety of fruits now in season, what fruits should we eat to reduce internal heat? There is a wide variety of fruits, each with different benefits. Let's discuss which fruits can help reduce internal heat.
In summer, one should eat more of three types of foods: melons, "cooling" vegetables, and "antibacterial" vegetables.
High summer temperatures cause the body to lose a lot of water, which must be replenished in a timely manner. The water in vegetables is natural, clean, nutritious, and biologically active, having been filtered through multiple biological membranes. Eating 500 grams of melon and vegetable daily is equivalent to drinking 450 milliliters of high-quality water, and melon vegetables can also help lower blood pressure.
The summer heat and dampness can affect health. Eating some "cooling" vegetables can help promote the production of body fluids to quench thirst, relieve irritability and summer heat, clear heat, and purge fire. Bitter melon, cucumber, tomato, eggplant, celery, lettuce, asparagus, watercress, and jicama are all considered cooling vegetables.
Additionally, summer is a season when diseases, especially intestinal ones, are more common. Eating more "antibacterial" vegetables like garlic, onions, chives, and scallions can help prevent illness.
Watermelon
It has a cooling nature and will not cause internal heat or irritability. It is also rich in potassium salts, which can replenish the large amounts lost by the body. However, note that watermelon should not be kept in the refrigerator for more than 3 hours.
Tomato
It is most abundant, sweetest, and most nutritious in the summer. It can also clear heat and detoxify, and calm the liver to reduce internal heat.
Pear
Because it is fresh, juicy, and has a sweet and sour taste, it is also known as "natural mineral water" and is the best moisturizing food for hydration.
Strawberry
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, it has the effect of reducing internal heat, and can relieve summer heat, reduce fever, and alleviate irritability.
However, it is important to note that before eating any fruit, the most crucial step is disinfection and cleaning. The skins of fruits like grapes, strawberries, and waxberries often have pesticide residues. In addition to washing them thoroughly under running water, they should also be soaked in clean water for at least half an hour.
Most fruits are considered to have a cooling nature, so it's important not to eat too much at once. As for the question of which fruits to eat to reduce internal heat, it also depends on the individual's specific condition.