Banana In Gallstones – Can I Eat Banana If I Have Gallstones?

We know how uncomfortable any pain could be and especially when it is stomach pain due to gallstones, you need immediate relief. Gallstones are hardened deposits of bile- the digestive fluid in the body. Some gallstones do not cause any symptoms and hence there is no need for any surgery. But sometimes, gallstones are all about some sharp constant pain in the upper right or middle of your abdomen. This is the case where you need proper medical attention. 

Formation of gallstones

Doctors believe that gallstones are the result of excess cholesterol that your bile contains. Cholesterol forms into crystals and eventually into stones when your liver excretes more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve. So, the major reason is too much cholesterol. Now, the question is- can bananas affect or cause gallstones? 

Causes:

• Excess cholesterol: These stones are usually the result of that excess amount of cholesterol that your bile cannot dissolve. So that the remaining cholesterol turns eventually into stones.
• Too much bilirubin in bile: If your bile contains too much of a chemical named bilirubin, it can contribute to the formation of gallstones.
• Concentrated bile due to improper emptying of the gallbladder can lead to the formation of gallstones.

Excess cholesterol and concentrated bile are a result of fatty, processed and sugary food. Hence, there are some food items, not necessarily oily food, where people have doubts if they can have in gallstones. One of them is bananas, you can have a banana in gallstones? Does banana aggravate gallstones? Let us read further to know more. 

Can I eat bananas in gallstones?

To cure most of the stomach-related problems, diet always plays a pivotal role. It is rightly said that what you eat is directly proportional to your fitness and abdominal health. So, let’s see what relevance does banana hold in curing gallstones and its symptoms.

As our main goal is to make our gallbladder store and concentrate bile so that our small intestine can break down fats. The health of our gallbladder depends a lot on our overall diet. Let’s see how banana can help with this.

• Bananas are great as a balanced, wholesome diet with nutrition.
• They provide plenty of fiber. (Also read: 10 Fiber-Rich Vegetables That You Should Eat Everyday)
• They support gallbladder health as they are low in sugar and saturated fat.
• An average-sized banana fulfills 3% of your 12% daily fiber requirement.
• If you regularly consume banana and other fresh produce, you are less likely to develop gallstones that require surgery.
• Bananas are great for your digestive health. Having an average-sized banana daily will help you prevent bloating, gas and stomach cramps. Bananas contain fiber and water both of which aids in better and smooth digestion processes. This way there is no stress on your gallbladder.

Apart from this, you have to take note of several foods that have to be avoided as they might aggravate your condition with gallstones and also, several foods that you can include in your diet to avoid the chance of surgery.

Also read: Fiber-Rich Diet reduces Risk of High Blood Pressure and Diabetes

Foods that you need to avoid in gallstones:

• Greasy, fried, or processed foods: Such foods are more difficult to breakdown and hence they can lead to the formation of gallstones.
• Foods with more than 3 grams of fat: A high intake of saturated and trans fats will put extra strain on the breakdown process and might make it easier to form gallstones.
• Red meat and dairy products: These foods are definitely high in protein but are also high in fats. Hence, such fat intakes can put pressure on your gallbladder resulting in the formation of gallstones.

Also read: 5 Food to Avoid in Gallstones

Some foods you can incorporate to prevent gallstones:

Healthful fats that are rich in omega-3 such as walnuts, cold-water fish, flaxseed. These are some good options for healthful fats that may help to protect your gallbladder.

If you consume coffee in moderation, it can help to keep your gallbladder healthy due to the presence of some substances in it that help in balancing certain chemicals and stimulate the action of the gallbladder.

Consumption of calcium through dark leafy vegetables, yogurt, cheese, orange juice in moderate quantity can help.

Folate, magnesium and vitamin C: Some fresh fruits and veggies are an amazing source for these nutrients. These include red and green peppers, broccoli, kiwifruit, citrus foods, strawberries, tomatoes. Magnesium can be found in soy milk, almonds, cashews, peanuts, spinach, yogurt and banana. Folate can be found in fortified cereals, beef liver, spinach, black-eyed peas. These nutrients help in protecting your gallbladder. (Also read: Benefits of Probiotics)

Fiber is the most preferred answer to many stomach issues. If you consume high fiber then you will let your gallbladder accumulate less sludge which will enhance its working preventing gallstones formation. Consume a sufficient quantity of legumes, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds as sources of high fiber in your diet.

When to See a doctor 

When you see the symptoms such as: 

• You might start feeling sudden sharp pains in the upper right part of your abdomen, the center of your abdomen, or just below your breastbone.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Pain in your right shoulder.
• Back pain between your shoulder bones.
• Fever with abdominal pain.
• Throbbing pain after taking your meals.

Take Away

Therefore, these are some dietary habits that you can inculcate to get rid of gallstones and take care of the health of your gallbladder. You also have to make yourself used to some lifestyle changes which will include regular exercising, having an active lifestyle and not a sedentary life with unhealthy habits. Make it a habit to drink lots of water, do not skip your meals, have a fibrous diet and have all nutrition with what you eat.

You can visit Pristyn Care specialist for gallstone problems or book online consultation to learn more about gallbladder problems and their treatment. You can see how Pristyn Care treats gallstones through laparoscopic surgery. 

Also read: How gallstones and pregnancy impact each other

Also read: Painful gallstones choking your life? Know what to do?