It can be counteracted by the addition of sour foods. Metal is associated with hot, pungent, aromatic. Metal is dispersing. A diet that has an excess of pungent is associated with muscle knots, slack pulse, a damaged Shen, and unhealthy fingernails and toenails. It can be counteracted by the addition of bitter foods.
Water is associated with salty.
Salty is softening. A diet that has an excess of salty is associated with deficient muscles and flesh, lack of strength in the large bones and depression. It can be counteracted by the addition of sweet foods.