Introduction: Early summer is a period of metabolism, where yang-energy is externalized and yin-energy is internalized. Consequently, the circulation of qi and blood becomes more vigorous, manifesting on the body's surface. As spring transitions to summer, what fruits are most nourishing and healthy for our bodies? Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) experts tell us that fruits with the effects of promoting the production of body fluids, quenching thirst, moistening the throat, and relieving dryness are the best choice for replenishing the body's energy. However, there are also dos and don'ts for eating fruit. Be sure to understand the properties of fruits to make healthy choices! Below, we recommend 10 types of fruits suitable for early summer, a treat for all fruit lovers.
1. Loquat
The name "loquat" is a homophone for the Chinese musical instrument "pipa," and its name is actually related to the fruit's shape resembling this instrument! Loquats are more commonly grown in southern China. Unlike most fruits, they bloom in autumn or early winter and ripen from spring to early summer, earning them the title "the only fruit tree in the plant world that possesses the qi of all four seasons." The sugar in loquats is mainly fructose, which is also the main source of their sweetness and is even higher than in watermelon, another fruit rich in fructose. Fructose is the sweetest of all sugars, but it raises blood sugar levels more slowly than glucose, which is undoubtedly beneficial for diabetics. Loquats are rich in potassium. Potassium and sodium are a "frenemy" duo; a high-potassium diet can play a significant role in balancing high blood pressure caused by a high-sodium diet. On par with mangoes, they are greatly beneficial for protecting vision. In addition, loquats have certain medicinal value, with functions of moistening the lungs, relieving coughs, and quenching thirst. "Chuanbei Loquat Paste" is a well-known Chinese herbal medicine.
Loquat Jam
2. Cherry
Cherries are adorable in shape, pleasant in color, sweet and sour in taste, and convenient to eat, making them a true "people's person" in the fruit world, loved by all ages. More delightfully, as a typical representative of dark-colored fruits, cherries are highly nutritious. Cherries contain more lycopene than most fruits, which has antioxidant, anti-aging, and even certain anti-cancer effects. The mineral potassium content in cherries is almost the same as that of bananas, a well-known "high-potassium" fruit, and is very helpful for stabilizing blood pressure. Similar to loquats, cherries are also rich in retinol equivalents, which help protect vision and boost immunity.
Many people believe that red foods are very effective for supplementing iron, so they think cherries are also a great source of iron. This is actually a misconception. Whether in terms of "quantity" or "quality," cherries are not a reliable source of iron; animal-based foods are needed for effective iron supplementation.
Chocolate Cherry Pie
3. Strawberry
Strawberries are hailed as the "queen of fruits," with their fresh, tender red flesh, juicy texture, sweet and sour taste, rich aroma, and abundant nutrients. The nutrients in strawberries are easily digested and absorbed by the body, and eating them won't cause you to catch a cold or get "heaty" (a concept in TCM). In TCM, strawberries are considered cool-natured, sour, and non-toxic, with effects of moistening the lungs, promoting the production of body fluids, clearing heat from the blood, strengthening the spleen, and sobering up. Eating strawberries often in early summer is both delicious and refreshing.
However, it is important to note that before eating fruit, the most crucial step is disinfection and cleaning. Strawberry skins often have pesticide residues. Besides washing them thoroughly under running water, they should also be soaked in clean water for at least half an hour.
Strawberry Matcha Mousse Cake
4. Grape
In TCM, grapes are considered sweet, slightly sour, and neutral in nature, with effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, benefiting qi and blood, stimulating the appetite, promoting the production of body fluids, and promoting urination. For those with poor appetite during the hot summer, eating grapes often can help stimulate the appetite. The abundant fruit acids in grapes aid digestion, and eating more grapes can strengthen the spleen and stomach. They are very suitable for when one's appetite is poor in early summer, and they are even more delicious when eaten frozen.
Furthermore, research has found that grapes can prevent blood clots more effectively than aspirin and can lower the body's serum cholesterol levels and reduce the aggregation of platelets, playing a certain role in preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Eating a moderate amount of fresh grapes daily not only reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease but is also particularly beneficial for the health of patients with ischemic heart disease and atherosclerotic heart disease. The flavonoids in fresh grapes can "cleanse" the blood and prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques. The darker the grapes, the more flavonoids they contain, but the heart-protective effect is even better if the grape skins and seeds are eaten together.
Grape Juice
5. Watermelon
One of the main fruits of the summer season. Watermelon is sweet and cold in nature. It affects the heart, stomach, and bladder meridians. Its functions are to relieve summer heat, clear vexation, promote the production of body fluids to quench thirst, and promote urination to lower blood pressure. It can be used for conditions of summer heat excess, fluid loss from sweating, vexation and thirst, and scanty urination. It is also rich in potassium salts, which can replenish the body's potassium lost through excessive sweating.
More noteworthy is that the watermelon rind also has high medicinal value. In TCM, the rind is called "Xigua Cuiyi" (Green Watermelon Garment) and has effects of clearing summer heat, purging fire to relieve vexation, and lowering blood pressure. It also has certain therapeutic effects for anemia, dry throat, chapped lips, and for patients with cystitis, ascites, and nephritis. Additionally, because watermelon rind is rich in vitamins C and E, rubbing it on the skin or mashing it into a paste and applying it to the skin for 10-15 minutes before washing it off can have effects of nourishing, softening, beautifying the skin, and preventing and treating heat boils. Fresh watermelon rind can be pickled with salt to make a side dish.
Watermelon Lime Drink
Pepper cutters
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