There's a Right Way to Eat Fruit: Insights from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine
Introduction: How to eat fruit scientifically? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Medicine offer different perspectives. Western medicine points out that fruits should not be eaten ice-cold, while TCM notes that fruits are categorized as "cool" or "heat" in nature and should be chosen based on one's body constitution. So, from the perspectives of both TCM and Western medicine, how can one eat fruit in a scientific and healthy way? Let's find out in the following introduction.
Western Medicine: Fruits Should Not Be Eaten Ice-Cold
Many people believe that eating plenty of fresh fruit is a great way to get nutrients. For some beauty-conscious women, it's even thought that replacing three main meals a day with fruit can lead to weight loss and improve their complexion. However, experts point out that more fruit is not always better, and eating it should also be done scientifically.
Western Medicine Recommendations:
1. People with low stomach acid should avoid plums, hawthorns, lemons, and other similar fruits.
2. Those who often have constipation can eat more peaches, bananas, oranges, etc., as these fruits have a mild laxative effect.
3. Many people love to freeze their fruit and eat it cold. Although chilled fruit has a better texture, fruit that is too cold can stimulate gastrointestinal motility, leading to indigestion, especially for those with a "cold stomach" or mild gastritis.
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Fruits Are Categorized as "Cool" or "Heat"
According to TCM's "constitution theory," a person's body constitution is classified as cold, heat, or neutral. Fruits are also categorized as "cool" or "heat" in nature. Consuming the wrong type or too much can have negative effects on the body.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Recommendations:
1. For individuals with a "cold-deficient" constitution (e.g., those who feel cold easily, are sensitive to cold, sweat little, or have frequent diarrhea), it is advisable to consume fruits that are "warm" or "heat" in nature. Examples include longan, lychee, walnuts, bayberries, peaches, tangerines, cherries, apricots, pomegranates, coconuts, jujubes, chestnuts, and plums.
2. For those with a "heat-excess" constitution (e.g., those who often have a flushed face, mouth sores, dry mouth, excessive sweating, a dry tongue, constipation, prefer cold drinks, are often irritable, or have a quick temper), it is recommended to eat more "cool" or "cold" natured fruits, such as muskmelons, pears, watermelons, bananas, pomelos, loquats, mangoes, sugarcane, cantaloupes, persimmons, mulberries, oranges, raw water chestnuts, water caltrop, and kiwifruit. These can help clear heat and purge "fire" from the body.
3. Individuals with a "neutral" constitution have more options, but the most suitable fruits for them are pineapple, sugarcane, and others.