Spring brings nighttime cherry blossoms, summer brings stars, autumn brings the full moon, and winter brings snow. With these, sake becomes delicious enough. If it still doesn't taste good, it's a sign that something is wrong with oneself２４

Spring brings cherry blossoms, summer brings stars, autumn brings the full moon, and winter brings snow. With these, sake becomes delicious enough. If it still doesn't taste good, it's a sign that something is wrong with oneself."

This quote is from the character Hiko Seijuro in "Rurouni Kenshin."

During the twenty-four solar terms, June 6th to June 20th is called "Boushu."

During this time, Japan enters the rainy season, and humid and sultry days increase.

"Boushu" is a time when the damp and sultry heat affects the functioning of the stomach and intestines, leading to a state called "phlegm dampness," where excess qi accumulates in the body.

In traditional Chinese medicine, this condition is considered to be invaded by external humidity called "dampness." Especially for those whose stomach and intestines are weakened due to stress, poor water metabolism can easily lead to physical and mental discomfort, influenced by factors such as humidity on rainy days.

During the "Boushu" season, the seasonal ingredients are ① tomatoes ② green beans ③ cucumbers.

① Tomatoes, although often associated with summer vegetables, taste best in spring to early summer. Tomatoes that have been exposed to plenty of sunlight are rich in "sugar content," and have a deep flavor. Tomatoes contain various nutrients such as "lycopene," which has antioxidant effects, "vitamin C," which is beneficial for beautiful skin and preventing colds, and "vitamin E," which inhibits aging.

② Green beans were introduced to Japan during the Edo period by "Ingen Zenji," and became known as "Ingen beans." They are rich in nutrients, including all the essential amino acids needed to convert food into energy, "vitamin B1" and "vitamin B2," which are necessary for energy metabolism, and "dietary fiber," which is abundant in vegetables.

③ Cucumbers are over 95% water. Although they are recognized as having no nutritional value due to their high water content, when comparing nutrients per 100 kilocalories with other vegetables, they contain 1.4 times more "potassium" than eggplant, the same amount of "vitamin K" as lettuce, and 1.3 times more "vitamin C" than tomatoes.

If your body feels like it has absorbed water like a sponge, sweating is the key. The best way to do this is through exercise. When your mind becomes damp and humid, sweat it out.

According to the 2016 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "National Health and Nutrition Survey," 35% of men and 27% of women have a habit of exercise. In other words, about 70% of Japanese people do not exercise regularly.

For those who lack exercise, the risk of depression increases by 44%. Furthermore, making exercise a habit can reduce the risk of dementia by 40%.

If you're unable to exercise, bathing or sauna may also be beneficial.

There are two important factors that make meals delicious: being hungry and enjoying seasonal ingredients.

Enjoy seasonal ingredients, replenish your body and mind with nutrients, and let's get through life today as well.