During the hot summer, as the function of the spleen and stomach begins to decline, so people always suffer from a bad appetite. However, eating bitter foods can help recover the function of the spleen and stomach and improve the appetite. Scientific studies also found out that, bitter foods contain a lot of amino acids, vitamins, alkaloids and saponins
, which have the effects of antibiosis and antiphlogosis, promoting digestion, increasing appetite, refreshing the brain, as well as eliminating the fatigue. Following are some typical examples of bitter foods.

First, bitter gourd
Bitter gourd is very nutritious. It can either be made as cold dish or cooked with other food. Bitter gourd can increase the appetite, help digestion, eliminate fatigue, pure the heart and improve the eyesight.

Second, sow thistle
Sow thistle can make people feel at ease and energetic, strengthen human body and improve the eyesight. Sow thistle can be processed into salted delicacy, which is the best dish in summer, because it is not only tasty and appetizing, but also can relieve the summer heat and restlessness.

Third, dandelion
Dandelion not only can be made as a dish, but also can be used as medicine for the treatment of some diseases. It has the effects of detoxification, protecting the liver, promoting digestion, lowering blood pressure, antibacterial, anti-cancer and so on.

Fourth, folium llicis latifoliae
Folium llicis latifoliae has various effects, such as clearing the heat and detoxifying, relieving cough and reducing phlegm, refreshing brain and improving eyesight, losing weight, preventing cancer and radiation, reducing blood fat, lowering cholesterol, etc. As a result, it plays an important role in the treatment of some diseases such as pharyngitis, stomatitis, hypertension, obesity, and acute enterogastritis.

Fifth, bitter almond
Bitter almond contains very abundant nutrition, with a large number of fatty acids, protein and various kinds of free amino acids and mineral substances. However, bitter almonds contain about 3% toxic ingredients, which should be removed by being boiled in the high-temperatured water. Bitter almond is an important medicine, with three major effects of moistening the lung, promoting digestion and releasing out the poison gas.

Sixth, fagopyrum tataricum
Fagopyrum tataricum is rich in protein, fat, vitamin B2, rutin, vitamin P, chlorophyll and other nutrients. It can reduce the permeability of the blood capillary, maintain the circulation of the microvascular, reduce cholesterol in human body, and also has the effect of balancing the blood and invigorating the brain.

At last, you should pay attention not to eat too much of bitter food each time. Otherwise it will easily lead to nausea, vomiting and other discomfort.