Summer is the season when watermelons ripen, and many people enjoy tasting watermelons in hot weather to relieve heat and thirst. However, from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, not everyone is suitable for consuming a large amount of watermelon in summer, especially for certain groups, caution is advised.
Watermelon, being cooling in nature, may cause digestive issues such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, especially when the body’s yang energy is already strong in summer. Excessive consumption of cold foods may burden the spleen and stomach, affecting their functions. For individuals with poor spleen and stomach functions or a cold constitution, it is advisable to consume watermelon in moderation or avoid it. A cold constitution is characterized by insufficient yang energy, cold hands and feet, and additional consumption of cold foods can exacerbate this condition.
In particular, individuals with a deficient spleen and stomach have weak digestive abilities and are prone to diarrhea. Consuming watermelon in summer may worsen these symptoms. People with deficient kidney yang, characterized by weak yang energy and aversion to cold, may find it challenging to harmonize their yang energy even in the relatively abundant yang energy of summer when consuming cold foods can worsen their constitution.
Of course, consuming watermelon in moderation poses no significant issues for most people and can provide a cooling sensation and essential nutrients. The key lies in individual constitution differences; those with good health and strong spleen and stomach functions can enjoy watermelon normally, while those with a cold constitution or weak spleen and stomach should limit their intake.
In summary, from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the cool nature of watermelon may not be beneficial for spleen and stomach health, especially for those with a cold spleen and kidney yang deficiency. Healthy individuals can consume watermelon moderately and benefit from its advantages. It is recommended to adjust diet based on personal conditions, consult professional traditional Chinese medicine opinions when necessary to maintain bodily balance. In summer, it is important to maintain regular routines, avoid excessive exposure to high temperatures, hydrate properly, and use fans or air conditioning reasonably to cool down. For individuals with cold constitutions, consuming warm foods like garlic chives, ginger, and longans can harmonize internal yin and yang, promoting health.
