Can grapes reduce internal heat?
Disease description:
I am a 28-year-old female. Recently, due to high work stress, I often feel internal heat and am prone to mouth ulcers. I heard that grapes can help reduce internal heat, but I'm not sure whether they are actually effective. I would like to know if grapes can indeed help alleviate internal heat.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Grapes have a certain effect in clearing heat and promoting body fluid production, but their ability to reduce excessive internal heat (fire) is relatively limited. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), grapes are neutral in nature and sweet and sour in taste, possessing functions of nourishing yin, moistening dryness, and replenishing fluids. They may help alleviate symptoms such as dry mouth and mild fire syndrome caused by internal heat and dryness. However, grapes contain relatively high levels of sugar, and excessive consumption may increase damp-heat in the body, which is actually counterproductive for reducing fire symptoms. Therefore, moderate consumption of grapes may help relieve mild fire syndromes, but they should not be solely relied upon to address severe cases of excessive internal heat.
To better regulate overall health, it is recommended to include grapes as part of a regular diet, combined with other heat-clearing and fire-pacifying foods such as mung bean soup, bitter melon, or pears to enhance effectiveness. It is also important to avoid consuming spicy, greasy, and irritating foods to reduce triggers for internal heat. Maintaining a regular lifestyle, getting appropriate exercise, and managing stress can help improve overall constitution. If symptoms of excessive heat persist or are accompanied by other discomforts, timely medical consultation is advised to identify the underlying cause and implement targeted treatment measures.
