I regularly eat these 2 fruits to keep my spleen and sto.mach clean and healthy: Affordable yet effective

They can easily “reduce the burden and strengthen” the spleen and stomach, especially for modern people who are sedentary and have irregular eating habits.

When the spleen and stomach are weak or stagnant, problems like bloating, indigestion, fatigue, and thick tongue coating may occur. If you want your spleen and stomach to be “healthy and clean,” you don’t need complicated diets—just eat more of these two common fruits daily. They can effectively “lighten the load and boost strength” for the digestive system.

That’s exactly what I needed, so I followed this routine: eating apples and papayas every day.

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Apple: The “miracle fruit” for spleen and stomach

When it comes to nourishing the spleen and stomach, apples deserve the title of “king” thanks to their outstanding effectiveness and easy availability. With their mild and balanced nature—not too hot or too cold—apples are safe to eat whether you have spleen deficiency, dampness, or internal heat. Apples are considered a “national fruit,” suitable for all ages to maintain digestive health.

The key benefits of apples for the spleen and stomach come from two main components:

• Pectin: A soluble fiber that acts as a gentle “cleanser” for the intestines. It absorbs oils, waste, and harmful bacteria, helping clean the bowels and reduce the digestive burden. It also stimulates bowel movement, improving constipation and sticky stools, keeping the digestive tract clear and smooth.

• Malic acid and other organic acids: Unlike strongly acidic fruits like hawthorn or lemon, the acids in apples are mild. They gradually stimulate gastric juice secretion, aiding the breakdown of hard-to-digest foods like protein and fat. Eating an apple after meals can help relieve bloating, belching, and sluggish digestion, strengthening the stomach and spleen.

How I eat apples:
I eat 1 fresh apple daily. But if you have weak digestion and are prone to diarrhea, try steaming or cooking apples. Heating helps release pectin more easily and reduces irritation. Cooked apples also have an astringent effect, helping relieve diarrhea while gently protecting the digestive system.

Papaya: A powerful “assistant” for digestion

If apples are like a gentle “regulator,” papaya is a strong “assistant” for the spleen and stomach. With its warm nature, papaya is particularly suitable for those with weak digestion who often feel bloated after oily meals.

Its effect comes from papain, a unique enzyme that directly breaks down protein into small, easily absorbed amino acids. This gives extra “strength” to the digestive system, easing its workload. For example, after eating braised pork or fried chicken, a little papaya can quickly reduce bloating and nausea, preventing food stagnation and fermentation in the stomach.

Additionally, papaya is rich in vitamin C and fiber, which not only promote bowel movement and waste elimination to keep the digestive tract “clean,” but also provide nutrients, improve digestion, and prevent deficiencies caused by poor absorption.

How I eat papaya:
I usually eat ripe papaya, about 3–4 slices per week.
For best results, eat papaya at room temperature—papain loses activity at low temperatures, so avoid storing ripe papaya in the fridge.

If you have cold-type spleen deficiency and are prone to stomach chills, you can cook papaya with red dates and ginger to warm the body, balance the coldness, and still nourish the digestive system.

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Habits that damage the spleen and stomach to avoid

Nourishing your spleen and stomach is not only about eating the right fruits but also avoiding harmful habits.

• Limit raw and cold foods (like iced milk tea, frozen fruit, sashimi): Cold/raw foods harm the spleen and stomach yang energy, weakening digestion. Even in summer, consume in moderation.

• Avoid overeating: Overloading the stomach burdens digestion, leading to stagnation and long-term weakness.

• Don’t sit or lie down immediately after meals: A 10-minute walk after eating helps digestion and reduces food retention.

• Reduce late nights: Staying up late disrupts the “repair time” of the spleen and stomach (9–11 PM is their meridian activity peak), gradually leading to weakness.