If you’ve ever had gallstones, you already know how painful and overwhelming they can be. In most cases, gallstones are recurring, and surgery is the only way to remedy the condition. Recent studies have shown that drinking coffee can reduce your risk of developing gallstones by as much as 23%.
However, it’s also said that you should not drink coffee when you’re having symptoms of a bad gallbladder since it can make the symptoms and the gallstones worse. So, is coffee bad for your gallbladder? Yes, and no, it seems. We’ll discuss this and more in the blog below.
What Are Gallstones?
The gallbladder is an organ near your liver that stores bile being produced by your body. Gallstones are hard, small deposits that can end up in your gallbladder. The stones are painful and usually require surgery to remove them. Gallbladder disease and gallstones are typically genetic, and if anyone in your family has had either, you need to talk to your doctor to see what you can do to prevent this from happening to you.
How Does Coffee Affect the Gallbladder?
While coffee might help reduce the risk of developing gallstones, it can also make the symptoms of gallstones worse.
The caffeine in the coffee causes the gallbladder to contract, making the inflammation and pain worse than it already is. Most doctors recommend avoiding caffeine altogether when you’re suffering from an inflamed gallbladder.
What Are the Symptoms of a Bad Gallbladder?
Now that you know that coffee can be good for preventing gallbladder issues but can make symptoms worse if your gallbladder is already inflamed, you might be wondering if you’re suffering from a bad gallbladder.
Symptoms of Gallbladder Issues
- An abdominal pain that can be dull or sharp; the pain is often worse after eating fatty food
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Shaking
- Fever
- Chills
- Right abdomen tenderness
- Clay or light-colored stool
- Yellowing in the skin and eyes
- Feeling like the abdomen is full
Coffee & Your Gallbladder: Final Thoughts
So in answer to the question, “Is coffee bad for your gallbladder,” the answer is both yes and no. Drinking coffee can keep you from developing gallbladder issues. However, it can make your symptoms worse if you already have a condition and the gallbladder is inflamed.
If you have gallbladder problems, you should contact your doctor for an appointment before the symptoms become a full-blown emergency.
Featured Image Credit By: Chad Madden, Unsplash
