On October 8, Beijing marked the beginning of the Cold Dew solar term with a press conference hosted by the National Health Commission, where seasonal health tips were discussed. Dr. Xialin Tong, a renowned physician and academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, urged those who are overweight or obese to rethink the traditional notion of “gaining weight for winter” during the fall season and to maintain their weight loss efforts instead.
Dr. Tong stated, “The expression ‘autumn fat is gold’ reflects a cultural and physiological reality.” This saying stems from a time when dwindling food supplies in winter prompted people to gain weight in autumn as a preparation for the colder months. However, Dr. Tong cautioned that for individuals currently facing obesity, indulging in this practice can jeopardize their earlier weight loss achievements.
He explained that while summer often demands higher energy expenditure, autumn should be a period of replenishment for most. Yet, those who struggle with their weight need to be vigilant about their food intake. He recommends adopting a lighter diet, which includes foods like hawthorn, and suggests drinking teas such as pu-erh or black tea. Increasing one’s consumption of vegetables and fruits is also beneficial. Furthermore, incorporating regular exercise is key to burning excess fat, and non-pharmacological methods like gua sha or cupping can help boost metabolism.
As autumn progresses into winter, Dr. Tong addressed the widely held notion of “autumn dryness.” He pointed out that the temperature drop and accompanying dryness can result in symptoms such as dry skin and throats. To mitigate these effects, he advised people to focus on nourishing and hydrating their bodies.
He shared a remedy inspired by Qing Dynasty expert Wu Jutong, known as the “Five Juice Drink.” This involves juicing a combination of pear, lotus root, water chestnut, fresh reed root, and ophiopogon. To enhance the drink, one can add honey or brown sugar, or simply boil and cool it before consumption to help nourish the body and combat dryness.
“If you can’t find all these ingredients, using just one or two is perfectly fine. Alternatives like coconut water, fresh milk, fresh dendrobium, fresh lily, or fresh tremella work well too,” Dr. Tong suggested. The emphasis should be on creating simple, nourishing beverages at home that can help maintain hydration and relieve dryness during the autumn months.
