Eid al-Fitr is a momentum for gathering after fasting for a month. Various dishes will be served to celebrate with family and other relatives, such as chicken curry, rendang, gulai, and other foods. However, these foods need to be watched out for because they can cause high blood cholesterol. High cholesterol levels in the blood can cause various diseases, such as ruptured blood vessels and gallstones.
What Are Gallstones?
Gallstones are crystal deposits that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. These deposits are composed of cholesterol, bilirubin, and bile fluid. There are two main types of gallstones:1,2
1. Cholesterol gallstones: The most common type, consisting mostly of cholesterol and yellow in color.
2. Pigment gallstones: Dark brown or black in color, formed due to excessive bilirubin content in the bile.
Generally, gallstones have no symptoms and are found accidentally. However, this disease can cause pain in the upper abdominal area, vomiting, nausea, especially after consuming foods with high cholesterol or excessive spicy. Until now, it is not clear what causes gallstones. However, doctors suspect that gallstones can form due to several things, such as when bile contains too much cholesterol, bilirubin, or the gallbladder is not completely empty during the process of excreting bile fluid.1,2
The Relationship Between Eid Food, Cholesterol and Gallstones
Typical Eid dishes are often rich in cholesterol and saturated fats that can have a negative impact on health. Coconut milk is the main ingredient in many dishes such as chicken opor and rendang. One cup of coconut milk alone contains 2.5 times the recommended daily maximum limit of saturated fat. In addition, Eid cakes made from butter, eggs, and flour also contribute to high cholesterol levels.3
Gallstones form when substances in bile exceed their solubility limits. These substances will precipitate and become trapped in the bile layer, which over time will undergo a process of crystallization and combine to form larger stones. Cholesterol is the main component often found in gallstones. Cholesterol gallstones usually occur in individuals who suffer from diabetes or other metabolic disorders.1
Tips for Maintaining Cholesterol After Eid
Several ways that can be done to maintain cholesterol levels during Eid include:4
1. Reduce intake of saturated fats, such as red meat and trans fats from butter.
2. Limit consumption of high-cholesterol foods, such as egg yolks, shrimp, liver, and offal.
3. Increase consumption of soluble fiber, such as fiber from apples, red beans, and pears.
4. Limit salt intake, maximum 2300 mg per day (equivalent to 1 teaspoon of salt).
5. Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes five times a week.
The dishes on Eid are indeed very appetizing, especially when eaten with family. However, we also need to take precautions so that we do not experience health problems after consuming the dish.
References:
1. Mark W. Jones, dkk. Gallstones (Cholelithiasis). StatPearls. Last reviewed: August 17, 2024. Available at: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459370/
2. Mayo Clinic Staff. Gallstones. Mayo Clinic. Last reviewed: August 20, 2021. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallstones/symptoms-causes/syc-20354214
3. Andika Widyatama. Awas, Makanan Lebaran Ini Bikin Kolesterol Tinggi. Klik Dokter. Last reviewed: June 7, 2018. Available at: klikdokter.com/info-sehat/jantung/awas-makanan-lebaran-ini-bikin-kolesterol-tinggi?srsltid=AfmBOopqgfa8 -sNUcunrL5OkkN1CbGfghRKGRE5DjsniDZmiYJ2pOWGG
4. Fadhli Rizal Makarim. 8 Tips untuk Mencegah Kolesterol Naik Pasca Lebaran. Halodoc. Last reviewed: May 5, 2022. Available at: https://www.halodoc.com/artikel/8-tips-untuk-mencegah-kolesterol-naik-pasca-lebaran