Six Summer Star Dishes to Eat

Introduction: After the Grain in Ear solar term, the height of summer is not far behind. During the most sweltering days of summer, what should we be eating? Here are six recommended "star vegetables" for the season.

Bitter Melon: Cooling and Fire-Extingishing

On hot days, eating bitter melon helps to cool down and reduce internal heat. The momordicoside and bitter principles it contains can strengthen the spleen and whet the appetite. The quinine-like alkaloids it contains have diuretic, blood-activating, anti-inflammatory, fever-reducing, and heart-clearing, eye-brightening effects. Bitter melon is also high in vitamin C, which helps prevent scurvy and boost the body's resistance. Furthermore, bitter melon contains a substance similar to insulin, which can lower blood sugar, making it an ideal health food for diabetics. Bitter melon is the most cooling of all common fruits and vegetables, so pregnant women and those with a weak spleen and stomach should consume it in moderation.

Tomatoes: Sun Protection and Skin Care

Under the scorching sun, sun protection is a major concern. The lycopene in tomatoes is a powerful antioxidant and anti-radiation bioactive substance that can effectively protect skin cells from damage by free radicals, UV rays, and other external radiation, preventing melanin production. Lycopene also exerts a strong antioxidant effect to protect the skin. At the same time, tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, which promotes collagen production and helps the skin maintain its elasticity and avoid sagging.

Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes

Garland Chrysanthemum: Increasing Appetite

Loss of appetite is a common problem in the summer heat. This is a good time to eat some garland chrysanthemum. It has a very unique, fresh fragrance and a crisp, tender texture that makes it easy to cook. It is rich in aromatic volatile oils. Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that aromatic plants can clear the senses, as well as soothe the middle, regulate qi, whet the appetite, and aid digestion—in other words, they can enhance appetite and promote digestion. Garland chrysanthemum is also rich in minerals like potassium, which helps regulate fluid metabolism and reduce edema.

Andrographis Paniculata: Relieving Summer Heat and Reducing Fever

Andrographis paniculata, also known as "Kudan Grass," is nature-cold and bitter in taste. The fresh herb can be used both as food and medicine, effectively relieving summer heat, reducing fever, and cooling the blood to reduce swelling. It is also effective to varying degrees for common summer ailments like acute bacillary dysentery, acute gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections, the common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, cholecystitis, oral and throat swelling, burns, and insect bites. It should be noted that Andrographis paniculata is cooling in nature, so people who are constitutionally weak, prone to diarrhea, or have a cold body constitution should eat it in moderation.

Cold-dressed Andrographis Paniculata

Amaranth: Supplementing Calcium and Strengthening Bones

Among the many vegetables in season during the summer, amaranth is also highly recommended. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, amaranth is sweet and cool in nature, affecting the large and small intestines. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, removing dampness and stopping diarrhea, and promoting urination and bowel movements. In the summer heat, eating some cooling foods is beneficial. Additionally, from a nutritional standpoint, amaranth is rich in various vitamins and minerals that the body needs. Its calcium content is particularly high; data shows that every 100 grams of amaranth contains up to 180 milligrams of calcium. Amaranth is also rich in other nutrients that aid calcium absorption, such as magnesium, potassium, and vitamin K, making it an excellent food for supplementing calcium and strengthening bones.

Asparagus: Clearing Heat and Promoting Diuresis

Asparagus is rich in various nutrients and is sweet and cold in nature, with the effect of clearing heat. It can be eaten when you have a dry mouth in the height of summer, are thirsty after exercise, or have a fever and thirst. Asparagus contains abundant flavonoids, which have strong antioxidant effects and are good for fighting aging. Furthermore, asparagus is a superfood for preventing bloating because its diuretic effect helps the body expel excess water, thereby relieving abdominal discomfort.

Sizzling Oil Asparagus