Men and women have different body constitutions, so do foods. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, every food has its own unique attribute and efficacy. In order to nourish and preserve health, one should choose the foods that fit his/her constitution in daily diet.
In general, foods are categorized into three basic attributes: Cold/Cool, Hot/Warm, and Neutral (not in relation to temperature) base on how the body’s response to that particular food.
Foods in Cold/Cool Nature:
Those foods generally have the efficacy of removing heat and resolving toxin that can be used for heat clearing and detoxification. Also, they are able to reduce the speed of metabolism as well as strengthen the immune system, which can mitigate and provide supplementary treatment to chronic diseases.
Foods with cold/cool attribute include watermelon, bitter gourd, mung bean (green bean), winter melon, cucumber, duck meat, wheat, etc.
Foods in Hot/Warm Nature:
Foods in this category in general are able to warm and replenish the body, which can be used for nourishing “Yin” (the energy that is being accumulated, assimilated, and stored for later use) and enriching blood, dispersing cold and removing dampness.
Green onions, ginger, garlic, chicken meat, lamb meat, longan, and lychee (litchi) are some of the foods in this nature.
Foods in Neutral Nature:
In general, foods belong to this group can help our body to maintain normal function that are suitable for any type of constitution. Those foods are able to strengthen spleen/stomach, and modulate “Qi” (essential energy) and tranquilize mind. In fact, whether one is strong or weak will also benefit from them.
Foods with this property including tomato, soybean, carp, milk, etc.
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In Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, pungent food can stimulate the production of stomach acid, saliva and its byproduct salivary amylase that helps facilitate peristaltic movement of gastro-intestine, dispel gas, and promote appetite.
