As we transition from summer to autumn, a variety of seasonal fruits are coming into season. The fruits listed below are at their most delicious during this time!
Jujube is one of the most representative fruits in autumn. Fresh jujubes have the highest vitamin C content among fruits, being 6-8 times that of hawthorn, 10 times that of kiwi, 13 times that of oranges, 70-100 times that of apples, and 140 times that of pears. It is hailed as the "King of Fruits" and a "living vitamin pill." Moreover, fresh jujubes contain flavonoids, which help preserve vitamin C. Every 100 grams of fresh jujube can meet our daily vitamin C needs, and its dietary fiber can prevent constipation.
Although fresh jujubes are highly nutritious, it's best not to consume more than 20 at a time. Eating too many can stimulate excessive stomach acid secretion, cause bloating, impair digestive function, and lead to digestive tract diseases.
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2. Hawthorn
Autumn is the harvest season for hawthorn. The ruby-red hawthorns are mouth-watering. Hawthorn can promote the secretion of digestive fluids, increase appetite, and aid digestion. Due to its content of triterpene acids and flavonoids, hawthorn is also known as a "little expert" at lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that hawthorn is sour-sweet and slightly warm in nature, and can aid digestion, strengthen the stomach, promote qi circulation and blood circulation, stop diarrhea, and lower blood pressure. Raw hawthorn also has the effect of eliminating body fat and reducing fat absorption, making it a good choice for those trying to lose weight.
Long-term consumption of raw hawthorn can lead to stomach stones, increasing the risk of gastric ulcers, gastric bleeding, and even gastric perforation. Therefore, it is recommended to cook hawthorn or consume it as tea. Slicing hawthorn and steeping it in boiling water can greatly dilute its sourness. In addition to tea, hawthorn can also be used in cooking, such as in congee or meat dishes. Adding 5-8 hawthorns can season the dish while ensuring the absorption of its nutrients.
3. Persimmon
As the saying goes, "Little jujubes in July, pears in August, and persimmons turn red in September." In autumn, orange-red persimmons begin to appear, becoming the most seasonal fruit. Persimmon is one of the best fruits to combat autumn dryness. It nourishes the lungs and stomach, clears heat and dryness, and strengthens the spleen. Coupled with its rich nutritional value, it is superior to apples in all components except zinc and copper. Hence, there's a saying in the golden autumn season, "An apple a day is not as good as a persimmon a day."
When eating persimmons in autumn, be careful not to eat them on an empty stomach. This is because persimmons contain a considerable amount of tannic acid and pectin. On an empty stomach, these substances will form hard lumps of varying sizes under the action of stomach acid. If these lumps cannot pass through the pylorus to the small intestine, they will remain in the stomach and form a persimmon stone. If the persimmon stone cannot be expelled naturally, it can cause intestinal obstruction, leading to severe upper abdominal pain, vomiting, and even hematemesis.
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4. Apple
Autumn is the season for apples to ripen, and they are particularly sweet and juicy at this time. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that apples can promote the production of body fluids, moisten the lungs, relieve restlessness, whet the appetite, and sober up. For those with poor digestion or qi stagnation, apple juice can be consumed. Modern medicine also suggests that apples can prevent and alleviate fatigue. The potassium in apples can bind with excess sodium in the body and excrete it. When excessive salt is consumed, eating apples can help eliminate it, so eating apples or drinking apple juice is beneficial for patients with high blood pressure.
Apple juice can stop diarrhea, eating apples on an empty stomach can treat constipation, and eating them after a meal can aid digestion. However, apples are rich in carbohydrates and potassium salts, and excessive intake is not good for heart health. Patients with coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, or diabetes should avoid eating too many.
5. Pear
As the saying goes, "Eat persimmons in September, eat pears in August." The pear, known as the "ancestor of a hundred fruits," is slightly cold and sweet in nature. It can promote the production of body fluids, quench thirst, moisten dryness and resolve phlegm, and moisten the intestines to relieve constipation. If you can eat one or two pears daily in autumn, it not only has a remarkable effect on autumn dryness but can also clear heat and calm the mind, and is helpful in the treatment of high blood pressure, insomnia, and dreams.
Autumn pears are most commonly used to make sweet soups, such as Chuanbei snow pear soup, which has the effect of promoting fluid production, quenching thirst, and moistening the lungs. They can also be paired with honey. The world-famous pear paste candy is made by simmering pears with honey, which has a significant therapeutic effect on patients with chronic cough due to lung heat.
6. Chestnut
Autumn is here, and friends with a weak spleen might want to try chestnuts. The vitamin C content in chestnuts is even higher than that of tomatoes, and their mineral content is also very high, much more than in common fruits like apples and pears. Chestnuts have the effect of strengthening the spleen. The rich unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals in chestnuts can prevent and treat diseases such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, arteriosclerosis, and osteoporosis, making it a great nourishing food for anti-aging and prolonging life.
However, chestnuts are firm and difficult to digest raw, and cooked chestnuts can easily cause qi stagnation and indigestion, so one should not eat too many at a time. They have the effect of stopping diarrhea, so those with constipation should avoid them, as it can worsen the symptoms.
7. Grape
Autumn is the season when grapes are widely available and the best time to eat them. Grapes are beautiful in color, fragrant in aroma, and sweet and sour to eat, whetting the appetite and aiding digestion. They are a very popular fruit. From the skin, flesh to seeds, grapes are full of nutrients. They not only contain large amounts of glucose and fructose but also amino acids, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and other minerals. Among them, various polyphenolic compounds such as proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins have excellent antioxidant properties, 18 times more effective than vitamin C, protecting the body from free radical damage that causes aging, maintaining skin elasticity, and repairing collagen damaged by ultraviolet rays.
It should be noted that you cannot drink water immediately after eating grapes, as it can easily cause diarrhea. It is advisable to wait 4 hours after eating grapes before consuming seafood to prevent the tannic acid in the grapes from forming difficult-to-absorb substances with the calcium in the seafood, affecting your health.
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8. Kiwi
Kiwi is a fruit that comes into season in autumn. Regularly eating kiwi in autumn can not only replenish the vitamins, fiber, and minerals the body needs but also protect the intestines, relieve constipation, and combat autumn dryness. Among various tested fruits, New Zealand kiwi ranks first in nutritional density, reaching 8-10 times that of an apple of the same weight. Eating one New Zealand kiwi daily can provide the nutritional benefits of ten apples.
Kiwi is cold in nature and should not be eaten in excess. People with a weak spleen and stomach should be cautious, and those with diarrhea should avoid it. It is contraindicated for those with threatened abortion, excessive menstrual flow, and frequent urination. Because kiwi is very high in vitamin C, it can easily coagulate with the protein in dairy products into lumps, which not only affects digestion and absorption but can also cause bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Therefore, do not drink milk or eat other dairy products immediately after eating kiwi.
Kiwi Smoothie
9. Pomelo
It's pomelo season again. With its rich fragrance and sweet and sour taste, it is the undisputed star fruit of autumn. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that pomelo is sweet-sour and cold in nature, and can regulate qi, transform phlegm, moisten the lungs and clear the intestines, nourish blood, and strengthen the spleen. Modern nutrition has also confirmed that pomelo is rich in organic acids, vitamins, minerals, and active substances, and has effects such as lowering blood sugar and reducing blood clots.
A freshly picked pomelo is not at its best. It's best to let it sit indoors for a few days, generally two weeks, allowing the fruit's water to gradually evaporate. At this point, the sweetness increases and the taste is better. Pomelo is cold in nature; people with a weak spleen and diarrhea will experience worsened symptoms after eating it, so those with a cold constitution should not eat too much.
10. Citrus
Autumn is also the season for citrus, also known as mandarin oranges. They contain a large amount of vitamin C. Citrus essential oil, extracted from the peel, can enhance human immunity, calm the nerves, eliminate anxiety and psychological stress, and has strong anti-aging effects. When used in hair care, citrus essential oil can have a refreshing effect and remove dandruff.
Citrus contains a large amount of carotene, which is converted into vitamin A after entering the bloodstream 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. Therefore, citrus should not be eaten in excess. If you develop "orange jaundice," you should consume a moderate amount of vegetable oil and drink plenty of water to accelerate its dissolution, conversion, and excretion.
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11. Sugarcane
Sugarcane has the effects of clearing heat and moistening dryness, promoting fluid production to quench thirst, and detoxifying and promoting rash eruption. For autumn coughs caused by yin deficiency and lung dryness, eating sugarcane is most suitable. The juice of sugarcane is sweet and delicious, making it a fine fruit among others. Analysis shows that sugarcane juice accounts for about 70% of the fruit, with a sugar content of up to 17%, hence it is known as the "sugar water warehouse." For those who are overly tired or hungry and dizzy, eating two sections of sugarcane can restore their spirits.
A word of caution: do not consume sugarcane excessively. The sugar content of sugarcane is 12-17%, and overconsumption can lead to vomiting, dizziness, irritability, numbness in the limbs, and confusion. Moldy sugarcane must not be eaten.
Sugarcane and Water Chestnut Drink
12. Pomegranate
Autumn is the season when pomegranates are widely available. Pomegranates are nutritious and also a great health fruit. The pomegranate peel contains various alkaloids. The water extract of pomegranate peel has inhibitory effects on various skin fungi in test tubes, and the decoction can also inhibit the influenza virus. Pomegranate is also the best remedy for a hangover. If you drink too much, eating some pomegranate in a timely manner can help relieve the discomfort of drunkenness. Pomegranate has a powerful sterilizing effect, containing boric acid and tannins that can eliminate bad breath. It can also regulate the body's fluid balance, making it an ideal weight-loss food.
Although pomegranates are good, you should not eat too many. People with poor gastrointestinal function should eat less. Generally, an average person can eat one medium-sized pomegranate a day, while the elderly and those with poor gastrointestinal function can eat half. People with acute pelvic inflammatory disease, urethritis, and a cold should avoid eating pomegranates. Those with weak lung qi and lung diseases, such as bronchial asthma, should also avoid eating too many.
persimmon cake