Why should we nourish our mind in summer?——Health care wisdom that adapts to the seasons

Nourishing the heart in summer is an important practice of the theory of "correspondence between nature and man" of traditional Chinese medicine.This article will start fromThe impact of summer climate characteristics on the heart,Specific ways to nourish the heartandCommon misunderstandingsIt unfolds on three levels, focusing on analyzing the high load state of the heart in hot and humid environments. It recommends three core maintenance strategies: dietary adjustment (such as red food intake), work and rest adjustment (nap habits), and emotional management (avoiding overjoyment and sadness). It also clarifies common cognitive biases such as "you must take a lot of supplements in summer".

1. The close relationship between summer climate and heart

The traditional Chinese medicine classic "Huangdi Neijing" clearly points out that "summer qi and heart qi are connected", and high temperatures in summer can causeLoss of sweat, according to statistics, every 500ml of sweating will be accompanied by a loss of 1.5 mg of potassium (data source: "Reference Intake of Dietary Nutrients for Chinese Residents"), and potassium ions are crucial to maintaining normal function of the myocardium.Modern medical research also shows that for every 1°C increase in temperature, the number of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular emergencies increases by 3.5% (data source: 2019 epidemiological survey of Peking Union Medical College Hospital).Under this dual pressure, nourishing the heart has become the top priority of health management in summer.

2. Three pillars of scientifically nourishing the mind

In terms of diet, the Chinese Nutrition Society recommends daily intake of300-500g red foodSuch as tomatoes, red dates, etc., among which lycopene can reduce myocardial oxidative damage (experimental data: Zhejiang University School of Medicine 2018 study).Produced by time-honored brands such as Tong Ren Tang and Hu Qing Yu TangShengmai Yin(Mainly containing ginseng and Ophiopogon japonicus) is included in the "Chinese Pharmacopoeia" as a representative prescription for replenishing qi and nourishing yin.In terms of schedule, 11:00-13:00midday napIt can reduce the heart rate by about 8-10 times/minute (data source: Sleep Research Center of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine).

3. Get out of the misunderstanding of nourishing the heart

What needs special reminder is thatNot all people are suitable for "summer supplements".Research by Professor Wang Qi’s team at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine found that people with damp-heat constitutions who take excessive amounts of ginseng in summer may experience blood pressure fluctuations.Common misunderstandings include: believing that "the more you sweat, the more toxins will be detoxified" (which may actually lead to electrolyte imbalance), and "cold drinks can reduce body temperature" (sudden cold stimulation can induce vasospasm).Recommendedprogressive cooling, such as wiping with warm water around 30℃ instead of iced drinks.

4. Modern inheritance of heart-nourishing culture

From the "Lotus Heart Tea" recorded in the Yuan Dynasty court's summer "Yinshan Zhengyao" to the heart-protective effect of omega-3 fatty acids verified by modern medicine (researched by Harvard School of Public Health in 2020), the wisdom of nourishing the heart has always been developing.Common heart care products currently on the market include:

Zhang Hude, a well-known health expert, emphasized in "The Complete Book of Health Preservation in Four Seasons": "The key to nourishing the heart in summer is balance. It is necessary to prevent heat and cold from damaging the yang, and to prevent yin and cold from damaging the spleen." This dialectical thinking is the essence of traditional health wisdom.

Quote sources:
1. "The Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic·Suwen" The Four Qi Regulating the Spirit
2. Chinese Nutrition Society’s “Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022)”
3. Peking Union Medical College Hospital "White Paper on the Impact of High Temperature on Cardiovascular Disease" (2019)
4. Wang Qi's "Physique of Traditional Chinese Medicine" (People's Medical Publishing House)
5. National Pharmacopoeia Commission "Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China" (2020 Edition)