Summer seasonal peaches and watermelons... To choose the sweetest, you need to check 'this'

When choosing peaches, it is best to select ones without surface scars, with even fuzz, and many freckles. Also, they should emit a sweet aroma from the stem, and the stem area should not be cracked. Peaches should be stored at room temperature or refrigerated at around 0 to 1 degrees Celsius to enhance their sweetness. If stored at lower temperatures, the sweetness may diminish.

Peaches, with their sweet aroma, are fruits that are good for relieving stress and fatigue. The abundant asparagine, glutamine, and citric acid in peaches help alleviate stress, and the vitamins and minerals inside peaches assist in eliminating fatigue. Peaches are also beneficial for anti-aging. This is because the beta-carotene component in peaches inhibits the activity of reactive oxygen species that cause cell aging. Especially, peaches rich in water and vitamins help restore skin damaged by strong summer sunlight.

Cantaloupe is also in season from June to August. When purchasing cantaloupe, it should have a bright color, deep lines, and a fresh-looking stem. Cantaloupe with high water content helps promote effective diuretic action and is rich in potassium and vitamin C, which aids in summer health management. In particular, the antioxidant components in cantaloupe are more abundant in the skin than in the flesh. The cantaloupe skin has a high flavonoid content, making it effective in preventing aging and lowering cholesterol in blood vessels. When eating the skin, it should be thoroughly washed with baking soda or similar agents, and thinly sliced to be added to cold noodles or sashimi, which enhances the texture.

When choosing a representative summer fruit, watermelon, it is good to select one with a shiny skin and well-defined black stripes. Also, the stem should be green and not dried out to ensure it is fresh. A well-ripened watermelon produces a clear, hollow sound like 'tong-tong' when gently tapped, rather than a dull 'clunk' or 'thud'.

Watermelon has a high water content of 92%, making it good for hydration during the hot summer months when you sweat a lot. It also has a diuretic effect, which helps people who frequently experience swelling or are on a diet. However, it is advisable to avoid eating watermelon with beer. Both beer and watermelon have a cooling effect on the body, and consuming them together is not recommended.

Sour plums are also an essential summer fruit. When choosing plums, it is good to select ones with shiny, firm skin and pointed ends. Additionally, those without stains or blemishes on the surface are more delicious. The main nutrients in plums are vitamin K and polyphenols, which help increase bone density and prevent osteoporosis. The vitamins in plums also help eliminate fatigue and boost immunity. Plums contain pectin, which is effective in preventing constipation. However, because plums are high in acidity, people with weak digestive systems should be cautious not to eat too many, as it may cause diarrhea or stomach pain and other digestive issues.