On July 17, 2016, the "Sanfu" days officially began, marking the hottest period of the year. The term "Fu" signifies that the yin energy is suppressed by the yang energy and hidden underground. During the "Sanfu" days, eating more vegetables and fruits helps to prevent summer heat and reduce dryness. Moreover, fruits contain dietary fiber, antioxidants, and other beneficial nutrients. Studies have shown that diets and snacks that include fruit can reduce the risk of heart disease and obesity, and even prevent certain cancers. So, what fruits are good to eat during the "Sanfu" days? Below, we recommend 10 healthy fruits suitable for this period, so let's take a look.
1. Cherry Tomato
Cherry tomato, whose scientific name is Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme, is an excellent health food. It has a high sugar content of about 7-8 degrees, a sweet and fresh taste, and a unique flavor. It is both a vegetable and a fruit. In addition to all the nutrients of regular tomatoes, its vitamin content is 1.8 times that of a common tomato. It is listed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as one of the "four major fruits" for priority promotion.
Furthermore, cherry tomatoes contain special substances such as glutathione and lycopene, which can promote human growth and development, especially in children, and can also increase the body's resistance and delay aging. In addition, lycopene can protect the body from carcinogens in cigarette smoke and car exhaust. It can also beautify the skin and provide sun protection. The malic or citric acid in cherry tomatoes helps the stomach digest fats and proteins.
Cherry Tomato and Ham Pizza
2. Muskmelon
Muskmelon, also known as "sweet melon" or "white-billed melon," has flesh that is green, white, red, or orange-yellow, with a texture that is either crisp or soft, and a fragrant, sweet taste. Originally from the tropics, it is widely cultivated in many parts of China, with many varieties. Those from North and Northwest China are fragrant and sweet, while those from humid areas are more watery and milder. It is an excellent summer fruit. The famous Hami melon from Xinjiang is one of its varieties.
Muskmelon is rich in carbohydrates, citric acid, and has plenty of water, which can relieve summer heat, promote saliva production, quench thirst, and relieve restlessness. The convertase in muskmelon can convert insoluble protein into soluble protein, helping kidney patients absorb nutrients. Eating raw muskmelon can quench thirst and relieve dryness, and can also eliminate bad breath. Muskmelon is rich in nutrients such as malic acid, glucose, amino acids, betaine, and vitamin C, and has a good therapeutic effect on infectious fevers and thirst. However, it should be noted that the melon stem is toxic, and eating too much raw can cause poisoning.
Carved Muskmelon Turtle Boat Fruit Platter
3. Avocado
Avocado, also known as alligator pear, is a highly nutritious fruit containing various vitamins, rich fatty acids, and protein. It is also high in sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Its nutritional value is comparable to butter, earning it the nickname "forest butter." It can be eaten as a fruit, as well as in dishes and canned form.
Not only that, avocados are rich in potassium, folic acid, and abundant vitamin B6 and dietary fiber. In every 100 grams of raw avocado, 74.3% is water, containing 2 grams of protein, 15.3 grams of fat, and 7.4 grams of carbohydrates, providing 673.9 kilojoules of energy. It is a high-energy, low-sugar fruit. Avocados have a high fat content and contain a large amount of enzymes that aid digestion and cleanse the intestines. They also have important physiological functions such as lowering cholesterol and blood lipids, and protecting the cardiovascular and liver systems.
Avocado Yogurt Ice Pops
4. Lychee
Lychee is rich in nutrients, containing glucose, sucrose, protein, fat, and vitamins A, B, C, folic acid, arginine, tryptophan, and other nutrients, which are very beneficial to human health. Lychee has the effect of strengthening the spleen, promoting body fluids, regulating qi, and relieving pain. It's a good fruit to eat in hot weather. Moreover, modern research has found that lychee can nourish brain cells, improve symptoms like insomnia, forgetfulness, and vivid dreams, and promote skin metabolism, delaying aging.
Furthermore, Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that lychee is sweet and sour in taste, and warm in nature, affecting the heart, spleen, and meridians. It can stop hiccups, relieve diarrhea, and is a great dietary remedy for stubborn hiccups and "five更泻" (diarrhea at dawn). It also nourishes the brain, strengthens the body, whets the appetite, and promotes digestion. However, due to its warming nature, eating too much can easily lead to "heatiness" (上火). The wood of the lychee tree is solid, with an elegant grain, and is rot-resistant, making it a fine quality material.
Lychee with Glutinous Rice
5. Peach
Peaches have long been praised as "peaches of longevity" and "immortal peaches," and are also called "the best fruit under heaven" for their delicious flesh. Peach flesh contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, vitamin B1, organic acids (mainly malic and citric acid), sugars (mainly glucose, fructose, sucrose, and xylose), and volatile oil. In every 100 grams of fresh peaches, 88% is water, containing about 0.7 grams of protein, 11 grams of carbohydrates, and only 180.0 kilojoules of energy. Peaches are suitable for people with low blood potassium and iron-deficiency anemia.
Peach Jam Cake Roll
No cherry sauce cheesecake
Potato Cape
Chocolate barbuca bread
Sourbeans
Lobster congee