4 Fruits That Can Worsen Dampness | Singapore TCM Health Guide

As Singapore enters the cooler months of autumn, our body’s yang energy naturally draws inward, and the digestive system (spleen and stomach) weakens. Many people rely on fruits for hydration and nutrients, but not all fruits are suitable for this season.

Some fruits can actually increase dampness (湿气) in the body, leading to fatigue, bloating, sticky stools, and sluggishness.

Here are 4 fruits to eat in moderation this autumn to avoid the dampness trap:

1. Mango: Sweet but Increases Damp-Heat

Mangoes are rich and sweet, but in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), they are considered a damp-heat fruit and high in sugar.

Too much mango in autumn can lead to sugar and damp-heat buildup, causing sticky tongue coating, bloating, and stools that stick to the toilet bowl.

👉 Tip: Limit to half a medium-sized mango each time. Those with weak digestion should eat even less.

2. Cold Watermelon: Damages Spleen, Traps Dampness

Watermelon is naturally cooling, and when eaten chilled, its coldness intensifies. In autumn, this can weaken the spleen, which prefers warmth.

Overeating cold watermelon damages spleen yang, making it hard to process fluids, leading to dampness.

Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach pain, cold hands and feet, or body heaviness.

👉 Tip: Eat only 1–2 small slices, and choose watermelon at room temperature.

3. Durian: Over-Nourishing Creates Phlegm and Dampness

Durian, the “King of Fruits”, is warm in nature and can boost yang in moderation. But it is also heavy, high in sugar and fat.

In autumn, slow metabolism means excess durian leads to phlegm-dampness, causing phlegm in the throat, oily skin, or lethargy.

👉 Tip: Limit to 1–2 seeds per time, and avoid eating with alcohol or other heaty foods.

4. Plums: Cooling Fruit That Weakens Spleen

Plums are sweet, sour, and cooling, which can increase internal damp-cold.

In autumn, too many plums worsen spleen deficiency, leading to diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and heaviness in the body.
👉 Tip: If you are prone to dampness, it’s best to avoid plums in autumn.

Healthier Fruit Choices to reduce dampness

To keep the spleen healthy and reduce dampness:

Choose apples, oranges, and pears — fruits that are neutral, gentle, and easier to digest.
Eat fruits at room temperature rather than chilled.
Focus on moderation rather than over-indulgence.

By caring for your spleen and avoiding foods that increase dampness, you’ll keep your body light, energised, and ready for the autumn season in Singapore.