Nourish the Liver and Kidneys: Three Fish to Eat for Summer Wellness.

As summer arrives, the water warms and fish become plump. This is not only the peak season for fish production but also when they are most nutritious and have the freshest, most delicate flavor. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that each fish has its own specific health benefits. So, what fish should you eat in the summer to nourish the liver and kidneys? You might want to try these three types of fish, which are both nutritious and delicious, beneficial for the liver and kidneys. Let's take a look at them together.

1. Sea Bass — Nourishes the Liver and Kidneys

The Northern Song Dynasty pharmacopoeia, "Jiayu Bencao," records that sea bass can "nourish the five organs, strengthen muscles and bones, harmonize the stomach and intestines, and treat water retention." This shows how extensive the nourishing effects of sea bass are. From a modern nutritional perspective, sea bass is rich in nutrients such as protein, vitamin A, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. It has the effect of nourishing the liver and kidneys, benefiting the spleen and stomach, and resolving phlegm and stopping coughs, making it very beneficial for those with insufficient liver and kidney function. Sea bass has tender, white flesh without a fishy smell, and its meat is shaped like garlic cloves, making it best suited for steaming, braising in soy sauce, or stewing.

Steamed Sea Bass

2. Grass Carp — Warms the Stomach and Brightens the Eyes

Grass carp in late spring and early summer is one of the most affordable freshwater fish. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which is beneficial for blood circulation, making it a good food for people with cardiovascular diseases. Grass carp is also rich in selenium, which has anti-aging and skin-nourishing effects. For those who are thin and have a poor appetite, grass carp is tender but not greasy, whets the appetite, and is nourishing. The Qing Dynasty's "Medical Collection of Essentials" records that the head of a grass carp is "especially good when steamed and eaten." You might also try steaming and eating the grass carp head.

Grass Carp Balls

3. Mandarin Fish — Strengthens the Spleen and Nourishes the Blood

For hundreds of years, the mandarin fish has topped the list of "seasonal delicacies of spring." This is because its meat is tender and plump, with few bones and no gallbladder, making it the premier freshwater fish of the season. "Compendium of Materia Medica" states that its meat "can deficiency and fatigue, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and replenish vital energy," making it suitable for people with weak constitutions and poor appetite. Modern nutrition shows that mandarin fish contains nutrients such as protein, fat, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and selenium. Its meat is tender and very easy to digest, making it suitable for children, the elderly, and those with poor digestive function. Mandarin fish is not high in calories and is rich in antioxidants, making it an excellent choice for ladies who want to beautify themselves but are afraid of gaining weight.

Squirrel Mandarin Fish