The Donguibogam does not view food simply as sustenance to fill the stomach. It notes that every food possesses its own unique nature, which can disrupt the balance and harmony of the body or sometimes serve as a remedy. In particular, regarding fruits, it focused on the cold and cool nature hidden behind their sweetness.
In modern times, fruit is called a treasure trove of vitamins and fiber, becoming synonymous with healthy eating. Through the lens of the Donguibogam, however, the view is somewhat different. Many raw fruits have a cold and cool nature, and the text warns that consuming them excessively when your body is cold or your digestive system is weak can impair spleen-stomach function. In Korean medicine, the spleen and stomach are vital organs that not only handle digestion and absorption, but also generate the body's energy and regulate water and dampness. When spleen-stomach function declines, food cannot be digested properly, and unnecessary waste called dampness-phlegm accumulates in the body, which can become a major driver of weight gain.
Think of the body as a warm furnace that burns food into energy. Adding too much cold fruit weakens the flame and leaves behind excess ash. In Korean medicine, sweet flavors support the spleen and stomach in moderation, but in excess, they burden the spleen and stomach and encourage dampness. Long ago, the Donguibogam suggested that understanding the state of your body and the nature of fruit is more important than simply assuming all fruit is healthy. If your body is already cold, continually eating cold fruit can contribute to weight gain, even if that fruit is packed with vitamins. Keeping the body warm and dry remains a foundational principle of healthy weight management.
