Does drinking water infused with red dates (jujubes) cause internal heat (excessive body heat according to traditional Chinese medicine)?

Generally, drinking an appropriate amount of water infused with red dates (jujubes) does not cause heatiness (excessive internal heat according to traditional Chinese medicine). However, excessive consumption may lead to heatiness. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Red dates have multiple health benefits, including invigorating the spleen and stomach, replenishing qi, nourishing blood, and calming the mind. Drinking red date-infused water in moderation can supply essential nutrients and benefit overall health. Under normal circumstances, moderate consumption of red date water does not cause heatiness. The calcium, iron, flavonoids, and other components in red dates can help soothe liver tension, relieve depression, nourish blood, and calm the mind. It also has a sedative, sleep-inducing, and blood pressure-lowering effect on individuals experiencing irritability or insomnia.

However, red dates are warm in nature, and excessive consumption may lead to excessive internal heat accumulation, causing symptoms of heatiness such as dry mouth, sore throat, and constipation. Additionally, individuals with a naturally hot constitution, those prone to heatiness, or those currently experiencing fever from a cold, or suffering from excessive internal damp-heat (a TCM condition), should avoid consuming large amounts of red date water to prevent aggravating internal heat and triggering or worsening symptoms of heatiness.

In daily diets, attention should be paid to food diversity and balance, avoiding excessive intake of any single food item to maintain overall health.