Before Duanwu, a 45-year-old woman who ate zongzi instead of regular meals fell into critical condition with acute cholangitis, the Liberty Times reported, with analysis pointing to repeatedly eating large amounts of the oily, slow-to-digest festival food at once.

Zongzi, glutinous rice and oily filling wrapped in bamboo leaves and steamed, can burden digestion. Overeating it over a short period strains the digestive system and can worsen symptoms in those with biliary disease.

Medical staff advise enjoying festival foods in moderation and eating in balance with vegetables and fluids; those with existing conditions should be especially careful.

Festivals are times shared over abundant food, but harming one's health halves the joy. Balance over quantity is the key to festival health.

Sinophone Bridge Times shares health information not to frighten but for everyday balance. Duanwu zongzi and Korea's songpyeon alike become true festivals only when joy and health go together.