Danish researchers measured cholesterol levels just after the Christmas holidays. Result: they are 20% higher than in summer.
Foie gras, yule log, petit fours, turkey… End-of-year holiday meals aren’t really made for losing weight. The days that follow often act as a detox to recover from excesses. Moreover, all this food, usually coupled with a lot of alcohol, increases the risk of having a myocardial infarction.
9 out of 10 people have a high rate on Boxing Day
Danish researchers have been interested in the consequences of these feasts on cholesterol and the result is clear. By analyzing more than 25,000 people, the researchers concluded that cholesterol levels after the holiday season are 20% higher than they are in the summer. Researchers estimate that the risk of having high cholesterol is six times higher after Christmas meals. The results of their study were published in the international journal Atherosclerosis.
The study found that nine out of ten participants had high cholesterol levels after Christmas. “Our study shows that cholesterol levels are influenced by the fatty foods we eat at Christmas time,” says Dr Anne Langsted, one of the study’s authors. “The fact that so many people have high cholesterol levels right after the Christmas holidays is very surprising.”
Expect to have high cholesterol
The researchers thus specify that if one must consult a doctor just after Christmas meals, it is better to be prepared for the announcement of a cholesterol level at a higher level than usual. “There is a great risk of high cholesterol if you see a doctor and have your cholesterol tested just after Christmas. This is important to be aware of, both for doctors treating high cholesterol and for those wish to keep their cholesterol levels low”, continues the researcher.
Too much cholesterol in the blood can lead to clogged arteries, increasing the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Hypercholesterolemia is also the cause of one in two heart attacks, according to the French Federation of Cardiology. In France, nearly one in five people has too much cholesterol in their blood, most often men.
Recover well from Christmas meals
To recover from all that food during the holidays, following detox diets is not necessarily the best solution. It is therefore better to keep it simple and start by avoiding leftover Christmas meals so as not to continue storing. Preferring light meals, staying well hydrated, avoiding alcohol and exercising are the best ways to recover as quickly as possible from these excess foods and extra pounds.
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