Maintaining a calm heart is essential for life. During the Dog Days of Summer, middle-aged and elderly individuals should frequently consume these four items to strengthen and protect the heart, soothe the mind, and aid sleep.
As we are currently in the Dog Days of Summer, this period can be quite challenging. Although the temperatures are not reaching 40 degrees, they can feel much hotter compared to last month’s 40-degree weather, often characterized by humidity and dryness. Once you step outside, you are bound to sweat, making your skin sticky and making it difficult to sleep comfortably at night.
This kind of weather poses significant harm to the body, consuming energy and physical strength, and severely impacting the heart. This gives rise to the saying, “Maintaining a calm heart is essential for life.” During the Dog Days of Summer, middle-aged and elderly people should eat these four items to replenish Yang energy, strengthen and protect the heart, keep the heart younger, soothe the mind, and get through this period smoothly.
1. Red beans
Red beans are not only excellent for dispelling dampness but also have great heart-nourishing effects. During the Dog Days of Summer, it’s beneficial to consume more red beans, which can be made into desserts or cooked in soups.
[Red Bean and Barley Soup]
Ingredients: red beans, barley, clear water
After thoroughly washing the red beans and barley, place them in a small basin and soak in an appropriate amount of clear water for over an hour; soaking helps save time when cooking. Next, transfer them to a pot, add clear water, and start cooking. After boiling on high heat, simmer on low heat for one hour, until the beans are completely soft. Turn off the heat, ladle out, and enjoy.
2. Lotus seeds
Lotus seeds are also excellent for heart nourishment, having soothing effects on the mind. Consuming more lotus seeds improves sleep at night and helps to dispel dryness and provide moisture.
[Lotus Seed and Mung Bean Soup]
Ingredients: lotus seeds, mung beans, glutinous rice, clear water
After cleaning the mung beans and glutinous rice, place them in a pot, add an appropriate amount of clear water, and start cooking. After bringing it to a boil over high heat, switch to low heat and continue cooking for 30 minutes. Then prepare the lotus seeds: after cleaning, add them to the pot and continue cooking for another 30 minutes before serving.
3. Tomatoes
Consuming tomatoes during the Dog Days of Summer helps replenish fluids, provides lycopene, and offers vitamin C, making them highly nutritious. These red foods also have commendable heart-nourishing effects.
