How does a high cholesterol patient fast in Ramadan? And does coffee raise its levels? Does fasting reduce or raise cholesterol?

According to multiple studies, fasting in Ramadan has positive effects on the level of cholesterol in the blood.

A study published in the journal Plos One found that fasting Ramadan significantly improved cholesterol levels, as follows:

  • Fasting Ramadan has led to high cholesterol, also known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is good because it transports cholesterol from the body's organs to the liver, which clears the body of it. It is recommended that this type of cholesterol be above 40 mg/dL, preferably 60 mg/dL or higher.
  • Fasting Ramadan has led to a decrease in bad cholesterol, also known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and this type is bad because it leads to the accumulation of cholesterol in the walls of the arteries, which leads to hardening and causes heart disease, and it is recommended that its level be less than 100 mg / dL.

These effects persisted even after 4 weeks after the end of the Ramadan.

Does fasting reduce triglycerides?

According to a study published in the Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences, fasting Ramadan lowers triglycerides, a type of fat found in the body and whose main source is food.

It is the liver that converts fat into triglycerides, and its high percentage is associated with health risks, so it is recommended that it be below 150 mg/dL.

Foods that raise cholesterol in Ramadan

Here are some foods that are high in saturated fat and therefore may raise cholesterol, such as:

  • Cured meats such as sausages and mortadella.
  • Fried fast food.
  • Samosa.
  • Kunafa.
  • Luqaimat and fried sweets.
  • Prepared foods such as burgers and pizzas.
  • Fatty red meat (unfiltered).
  • Chicken skin.
  • Margarine.
  • The bottom line.
  • Cream.
  • Coconut oil.
  • Palm.
  • Margarine.

Does coffee raise fasting cholesterol levels?

This depends on the way the coffee is prepared, as it contains "diterpene", which are chemical compounds found in the oily substance in coffee beans, and this substance raises the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) when drinking coffee that is not "filtered" in a large amount, such as boiled coffee and French press coffee.

The two most important types of diterpene in coffee are:

  • Cafestol
  • Kawheol

In contrast, coffee brewed using a strainer (filtered coffee) contains much less deterpenes, which are separated through the strainer.

A cup of unfiltered drink contains 30 times more diterpene than its filtered counterpart, according to Harvard University.

A 2020 study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology analysed nearly 20 years of data from more than 51,20 people aged 79 to <>. The researchers studied people who drank filtered or unfiltered coffee or both.

The study found that drinking unfiltered coffee was associated with higher rates of heart disease and death compared to drinking filtered coffee.

The study also indicated that drinking filtered coffee is associated with lower mortality rates compared to drinking unfiltered coffee.

So, if you have heart problems or high cholesterol, consult your doctor about the types of coffee that are right for you.

Tips for a cholesterol patient in Ramadan

  • Take the treatment as directed by your doctor.
  • Reduce fried and fatty foods and sweets.
  • Focus on healthy trans fats, such as those found in olive oil and fish.
  • Economy in drinking coffee, especially unfiltered.