Fruits are classified by their cold and heat properties, and can be consumed for health maintenance based on one’s constitution!
Remember the list of fruits classified by cold and heat
Fruits are mainly divided into three categories: cold, warm, and hot.
Cold Fruits: Watermelon, mangosteen, cantaloupe, pear, banana, kiwi, persimmon, banana, kiwi, sweet melon, coconut, cherry tomato, etc.
Warm Fruits: Apple, grape, sugarcane, passion fruit, lemon, guava, pineapple, papaya, olive, pineapple, mango, etc.
Hot Fruits: Lychee, peach, longan, cherry, jujube, durian, papaya, orange, tangerine, etc.
Choosing Fruits Based on Body Constitution
Cold Fruits: Relieve Dryness and Heat
Cold fruits are considered to have a cooling effect, helping to relieve dryness and heat. They are effective in alleviating symptoms of excess heat such as red face, red eyes, swollen gums, dry mouth, short and red urination, dry constipation, and a red tongue with yellow dry coating.
Suitable for: Excess Heat Constitution
Generally, individuals with an excess heat constitution have a vigorous metabolism in summer, with a dominant sympathetic nervous system, sweating a lot, often having a flushed face, dry mouth, irritability, and constipation, and they particularly enjoy eating cool foods in summer.
Additionally, elderly individuals and children with poor gastrointestinal function should avoid cold fruits. If they really want to eat them, they can have a small amount after lunch and before dinner, but not excessively.
Warm Fruits: Most Nourishing
Warm fruits are relatively mild and suitable for most people. Generally, warm fruits can be consumed in larger quantities.
Suitable for: All Body Types
Warm fruits are gentle, and both cold and hot body types can consume them without severe reactions. This type of fruit is suitable for everyone.
Hot Fruits: Nourish Cold and Deficiency
This type of fruit has warming and nourishing effects, dispelling cold and replenishing deficiency, increasing body heat, and promoting energy metabolism.
Suitable for: Deficient Cold Constitution
For individuals with a deficient cold constitution, they often have qi deficiency and spleen deficiency, a low basal metabolic rate, and produce little heat, with cold extremities even in summer.
In comparison, this group tends to have a paler complexion and rarely feels thirsty, and they do not like to be exposed to cool things, including air-conditioned rooms. Therefore, consuming more warm fruits is undoubtedly a great way to replenish cold.
Healthy Fruit Consumption: 6 Key Points to Remember
1. Control the Quantity
No matter the type of fruit, it is important to control the quantity: excessive intake of cold fruits can cause stomach cold and diarrhea; hot fruits can easily lead to excess heat; even warm fruits, if consumed in excess, can lead to nutritional imbalance. The stomach has a limited capacity, and excessive fruit intake can lead to lower intake of staple foods, proteins, and other nutrients.
For example: Eating more than 3 oranges a day is not recommended; adults should ideally not consume more than half a pound of cherries a day; mangoes are hot in nature and should not be eaten in excess, 1-2 at a time is sufficient.
2. Pay Attention to Fruit Pairing
Fruits can also be paired based on their cold and heat properties. For example, if you eat too much durian, which can cause excess heat, the best way is to pair it with mangosteen. Mangosteen is known as the “queen of fruits” and is characterized by its ability to clear heat and reduce fire. In Thailand, it is common to eat mangosteen after durian.
3. Be Mindful of Eating Methods
For example: When eating lychee, it is best to prepare a small bowl of light saltwater. After peeling the lychee, soak it in saltwater for a while before eating, which can help reduce heat; additionally, pineapples are also best soaked in saltwater for half an hour before eating.
4. Eat According to Body Constitution
Individuals with an excess heat constitution should eat more cold fruits; individuals with a deficient cold constitution should pay attention to eating more warm fruits.
5. Avoid Cold Fruits if You Have Stomach Issues
According to Jin Xiaojing from the Gastroenterology Department of Nanjing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, many patients with stomach issues or stomach pain should actually eat less cold foods. Not only should they avoid cold drinks and cold dishes, but they should also limit cold fruits. Currently, most cases of fruit-related issues are due to cold symptoms. Each fruit has different cold and heat properties, and many people already have cold symptoms, and eating too many cold fruits can worsen their condition, such as stomach issues or worsening coughs, which mostly belong to this category.
6. Limit Hot Fruits if You Have Inflammation
Of course, some individuals have heat symptoms, and eating hot fruits can exacerbate their condition. The most common cases are patients with tonsillitis and pharyngitis, who mostly have yin deficiency and excess heat. Therefore, they may enjoy eating fruits. However, if they consume hot fruits like lychee, it can worsen their excess heat, making them feel worse. If they already have “fire” and then eat more, it is like adding fuel to the fire!
Different Fruits, Different Selection MethodsWatermelon
The larger the bottom circle, the thicker the skin!
The curled stem indicates it is sweeter!
Green is better than pale white!
Clear patterns indicate a good melon!
Mangosteen
The number of segments on the bottom indicates the number of segments in the fruit flesh,
more segments mean smaller seeds!
Freshness is indicated by a green stem!
Soft to the touch is better than hard!
Peach
A large and plump fruit is flavorful and juicy!
Those with a fragrant smell are sweeter!
Soft to the touch indicates perfect ripeness~
Lychee
The shell should be cracked and flat,
with visible seams indicating high ripeness~
A fruity aroma indicates freshness,
while a sour smell indicates it is no longer fresh~
Fruits with translucent flesh are fresher!
Dragon Fruit
Avoid skinny ones! The fatter they are, the more mature they are!
Orange
Fruits of equal size and weight are best,
harder ones are better than softer ones!
Fruits with large pores have thick skin,
those with small navels have better taste!
Papaya
The larger the belly, the sweeter it is!
Durian
Thinner shells have more flesh,
for the same size, lighter ones have smaller seeds.
The more small hills on the skin, the more flesh there is!
Banana
Both ends green indicate they have been processed,
avoid those with edges!
Mango
Spots indicate they are rotting from the inside,
The stem should not be wet,
The skin should not be wrinkled~
Hami Melon
Melons with coarse and dense net patterns are good,
Those with a dented bottom are good melons!
Source: People’s Daily, Health China
