Recommended! Five Foods for Nourishing Yang in Summer.

During the hot summer, people all long for a cool feeling. However, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that in this season, the body's "yang" energy is dispersed from the inside to the surface of the body, leaving the interior weak. Furthermore, modern people tend to eat more cold and icy foods in the summer, making it especially important to nourish the "yang" energy.

1. Walnuts

The walnut kernel is rich in nutrients, containing 15-20 grams of protein, a higher amount of fat, and 10 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams. It also contains various trace elements and minerals essential for the human body, such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron, as well as multiple vitamins like carotene and riboflavin. It is beneficial to the human body and one of the most popular nuts among the public. TCM considers walnuts to be "warm" in nature, beneficial for nourishing the kidneys and moistening the intestines. On scorching summer days, walnuts, rich in high-antioxidant substances like arginine, oleic acid, and vitamin E, can help our bodies effectively prevent aging.

Walnut and Cheese Crisps

2. Ginger

As the saying goes, "Eat radishes in winter and ginger in summer." This is because the ancients believed ginger could elevate "yang" energy. In fact, a certain component in ginger has antibacterial properties, and its pungent aroma can stimulate appetite, making it a true summer favorite. Moreover, as an essential condiment, the compounds in ginger, such as gingerol and diarylheptanoids, have strong antioxidant and free radical-scavenging effects. Eating ginger can also combat aging, and for the elderly, regular consumption can help reduce "age spots."

3. Onions

The nutritional content of onions is very rich. They are not only high in nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, folate, zinc, selenium, and fiber, but they also contain two special nutrients—quercetin and prostaglandin A. These two special nutrients give onions many health benefits that cannot be replaced by other foods. Eating raw onions can prevent colds. It is also a food rich in powerful antioxidants that can inhibit aging caused by free radicals.

Broccoli, Onion, and Beef Ribs Stir-fry

4. Chinese Yam

Chinese yam has the effects of nourishing and strengthening the body, aiding digestion, stopping spontaneous sweating, and stopping diarrhea. It is primarily used for treating diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, coughing due to lung deficiency, diabetes, frequent and short urination, spermatorrhea, leukorrhea in women, and chronic enteritis due to indigestion. In the summer, the spleen and stomach are weak, and the body's energy consumption is also high. Chinese yam, with its nourishing effects of tonifying the middle "qi" and strengthening muscles and the spleen, can replenish "qi" without causing stagnation, thus better regulating the function of the spleen and stomach.

5. Dried Shrimp

These small dried shrimp have the effects of tonifying the kidneys and strengthening "yang," as well as regulating "qi" and stimulating the appetite. In the summer, you can make a quick soup and toss some in for a delicious and highly nourishing meal. Furthermore, shrimp is rich in magnesium, which plays an important regulatory role in heart function and can effectively protect the cardiovascular system. It can reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, prevent arteriosclerosis, and at the same time, dilate the coronary arteries, which is beneficial for preventing hypertension and myocardial infarction.

Chinese Yam and Dried Shrimp Congee