In the hot summer, people always yearn to find ways to cool themselves and uplift their spirits. In traditional Chinese beliefs, eating melons and fruits is considered an ideal way to beat the heat and maintain health. Especially during the “three dog days,” known as the hottest period of the year, people rely on consuming cooling foods to help their bodies withstand the high temperatures. In this article, we will explore six types of melon foods that not only help dispel heat but also contribute to maintaining good health, with some claiming they can even extend life to the age of ninety-eight!
Eat melons in summer, live until ninety-eight
There is an ancient saying in China: “During the scorching summer, eat melons to replenish your body.” This phrase reflects people’s wisdom in choosing summer foods. Melon fruits are considered ideal summer foods due to their juicy and cooling nature. Different types of melons have various effects, including dispelling heat, moisturizing, promoting salivation, and benefiting the spleen and stomach. Some even believe that prolonged consumption of certain melons can prolong life, especially during high-temperature periods like the “three dog days,” demonstrating their value and efficacy.
Consume these 6 melons in the dog days to cool down and enjoy summer
Watermelon
Watermelon is one of the most popular fruits in summer. It not only tastes sweet but is also rich in moisture, providing excellent heat-relieving effects. Watermelon is rich in water content and various vitamins, quickly replenishing the body’s lost fluids and electrolytes in hot weather. Additionally, watermelon contains an ingredient called “citrulline,” which helps lower blood pressure and maintain cardiovascular health. Proper consumption of watermelon can also help with diuresis and reduce edema, making it particularly suitable for individuals with a tendency towards water retention.
Winter melon
Winter melon is known as a “natural diuretic” in summer. It is rich in water and fiber, effectively aiding in eliminating excess fluids and toxins from the body, thus dispelling heat. Winter melon is also rich in vitamin C, B vitamins, enhancing the body’s immune system, combating common summer colds and viral infections. When cooked, winter melon can be stewed with lean meat, soybeans, and other ingredients, not only producing a fragrant taste but also providing rich nutrition, becoming a beloved summer food in many households.
Cucumber
Cucumber is a common ingredient on summer dining tables. Its crisp texture and refreshing taste are well-loved. Cucumbers contain a large amount of water and fiber, aiding in cleansing the intestines and promoting digestion. Cucumbers are also rich in vitamin C and K, beneficial for the skin, helping maintain its hydration and elasticity. Furthermore, cucumbers are rich in selenium, aiding in antioxidant effects and slowing down aging. Eating cucumbers not only quenches thirst but also replenishes the body with necessary fluids and nutrients.
Bitter melon
Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd, is a highly medicinal melon food. It has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, lowering blood sugar, and reducing blood lipids, making it an ideal health food for summer. Bitter melon contains a substance called “bitter melon extract,” which can promote insulin secretion, helping regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, bitter melon contains various vitamins and minerals, significantly aiding in regulating the body’s acid-base balance and enhancing immunity. Although not everyone enjoys its bitter taste, consuming an appropriate amount of bitter melon in summer can bring health benefits.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is rich in various nutrients, including β-carotene, vitamins C and E, as well as minerals like zinc and potassium. Pumpkin not only tastes sweet but also has the effects of dispelling heat, nourishing the lungs, and supplementing deficiencies while benefiting qi. In summer, consuming pumpkin appropriately can help regulate the body’s fluid metabolism and electrolyte balance, alleviating fatigue and symptoms of dry mouth and throat. Pumpkin is also considered an ideal beauty food, aiding in maintaining skin radiance and elasticity, reducing the formation of wrinkles and age spots.
Luffa
Luffa is considered the representative of “summer beauty foods,” rich in mucilage and various nutrients that have significant benefits for skin and body health. Luffa not only dispels heat but also moisturizes the skin, promotes skin cell metabolism. Luffa is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, strengthening immunity and resisting external environmental harm. When cooked, luffa can be stir-fried with eggs, shrimp, and other ingredients, offering not only a delicious taste but also rich nutrition, a rare delicacy in the summer.
By consuming these six types of melon foods, not only can you cool down during the dog days but also provide the body with abundant nutrients, helping maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, it is essential to note that each person’s constitution and health condition are different, so moderate consumption is advisable. When selecting and preparing melon foods, try to choose fresh, uncontaminated ingredients to ensure their nutritional value and safety.
