 |
| Samosas - iStock |
Toxins threaten health... Experts: Samosas and Qatayef are dangerous for the heart and stomach
With the sound of the Iftar cannon, Ramadan tables in Egypt transform into a sea of deep-fried foods, from samosas and qatayef to chicken and potatoes. But behind this delicious crunch lies a serious risk that fills hospital emergency rooms just hours after Iftar with cases of severe vomiting, acid reflux, heart palpitations, and stomach pain.
Doctors and specialists in Egypt reveal the dietary trap that threatens those fasting and the disaster of reused oils. Dr. Mervat El-Sayed, a consultant in emergency medicine and director of the African Center for Women's Health, warns of a digestive shock that can occur after a long fast.
She explains that consuming saturated fats all at once leads to temporary paralysis of the stomach and a significant slowing of food emptying, along with an increase in the secretion of burning acids. It also causes relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to severe heartburn, in addition to straining the pancreas and liver in processing heavy oils.
 | ||
Toxins threaten health... Experts: Samosas and Qatayef are dangerous for the heart and stomachWith the sound of the Iftar cannon, Ramadan tables in Egypt transform into a sea of deep-fried foods, from samosas and qatayef to chicken and potatoes. But behind this delicious crunch lies a serious risk that fills hospital emergency rooms just hours after Iftar with cases of severe vomiting, acid reflux, heart palpitations, and stomach pain. Doctors and specialists in Egypt reveal the dietary trap that threatens those fasting and the disaster of reused oils. Dr. Mervat El-Sayed, a consultant in emergency medicine and director of the African Center for Women's Health, warns of a digestive shock that can occur after a long fast. She explains that consuming saturated fats all at once leads to temporary paralysis of the stomach and a significant slowing of food emptying, along with an increase in the secretion of burning acids. It also causes relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to severe heartburn, in addition to straining the pancreas and liver in processing heavy oils.
|
Dr. Mervat reveals a surprising fact about repeatedly reusing oils, emphasizing that exposing oil to high heat multiple times produces harmful compounds such as acrylamide and oxidants. These not only cause acute gastritis but, in the long term, can also contribute to cardiovascular diseases. She warns against the myth that fried foods provide quick energy, stating that this energy is illusory and followed by lethargy and physical exhaustion.
For her part, Dr. Radwa Ahmed Shaheen, Assistant Professor of Nutrition at Ain Shams University, explains the disastrous effects of trans fats and high sugars, which raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol, paving the way for atherosclerosis and heart attacks. She clarifies that excessive sugar in qatayef (a type of stuffed pancake) disrupts the bacterial balance in the intestines, causing gas, bloating, and impaired absorption of essential nutrients.
 |
Avoid Starting with Fried Foods
To avoid emergency room visits, Dr. Radwa advises against starting Iftar (the meal to break the fast) with fried foods and recommends replacing them with warm liquids or dates. She also suggests limiting fried foods to once or twice a week at most.
She stressed the need to use oil only once and to stop using it if its color changes. She also recommended using the oven or air fryer to reduce the percentage of fats, and advised walking for 30 minutes after breakfast to support digestion, and completely avoiding these foods for patients with ulcers, heart and liver.
No comments:
Post a Comment