UNAIR NEWS –  Fasting requires Muslims to endure thirst and hunger from morning to evening. Not getting food intake for a long time, gastric acid can rise due to the absence of food that can be processed by the liquid.

To UNAIR NEWS on April 4, 2022, dr. Muhammad Miftahussurur MKes., SpPD., PhD., UNAIR Vice Rector for Internationalization, Digitization and Information explained that gastric acid often rises during fasting because the stomach is empty. It can cause aches and pains in the stomach that interfere with daily activities.

Furthermore, Dr. Miftah explained that in choosing food for iftar or suhur, fasting Muslims are advised to pay attention to three things, type, amount and schedule.

“I, very often, recommend patients to believe that fasting will be able to reduce or even cure gastric complaints. As long as it is carried out properly according to the recommendations,” said dr. Miftah.

Islam, he continued, has given guidance to people how to fast properly and correctly. The example of eating order, he said, is given at the time of breaking the fast, by prioritizing takjil as an appetizer to avoid excessive pressure on the stomach that rests after a few hours, and then followed by a large meal while avoiding getting their stomach full and closed with suhur.

“Habits like that often become problems. Not eating suhur, eating before bed causes gastric disorders recurring,” explained Dr. Miftah.

On the other hand, he continued that certain foods can affect the stomach. For example, spicy and sour foods can directly irritate the stomach. In addition, milk and coconut milk can slow intestinal peristalsis to empty food.

“We also know foods that can produce a lot of gas. In Javanese terms, it is known as polo pendem, such as beans, cassava and so on. Therefore, the composition of food when breaking the fast or suhur is very important apart from consuming vegetables and fruit both in quantity and quality and of course consuming sufficient water, “said Dr. Miftah.

For fiber, dr. Miftah recommends more chewing. Religion, he said, recommends chewing more than 30 times so that the stomach does not work too hard, especially during fasting.

In the end, dr. Miftah emphasized that you should fast according to the essence that has been recommended by religion. “Adjust your diet, avoid stressful conditions to resolve gastric disorders during fasting,” he concluded. (*)

Author: Muhammad Suryadiningrat

Editor: Nuri Hermawan