Is Drinking Coffee Bad for My Gallbladder?

Coffee. Some people love it, some people hate it, and some people can’t live without it…even when they should.

When you have gallbladder issues, you’re always on the hunt to find out what causes the pain or what you can do to prevent the pain. But, as a coffee drinker, you probably haven’t given it much thought, right?! It’s part of your daily routine, and then later on in the day, you may experience gallstone pain and then have to sit back and think about what it was you ate or drank earlier to cause the discomfort. Even having a little bit of knowledge about your triggers can be helpful to helping you feel your best. So, let’s discuss the effect that coffee may have on you and your gallbladder.

What Effect Does Coffee Have on My Gallbladder?

While coffee may seem innocent, it may not be the best option for people who have gallstones. When drinking coffee, or any caffeinated beverage, the caffeine causes the gallbladder to contract, making the inflammation and pain even worse than it already is. This results in discomfort for hours at a time with minimal, if any, relief.

However, if you do not have any gallstones present, then caffeinated black coffee may actually help reduce the risk of gallstones, as it lowers the cholesterol concentrations in bile and works to flush out early-stage formations of gallstones.

What Are Gallstones?

Gallstones are hard, pebble-like stones typically made up of cholesterol that accumulate in your gallbladder. Your gallbladder is an organ located underneath your liver. These gallstones can vary in size and amount. Some gallstones may not even cause harm or pain to your body; however, when the gallstones do cause pain, it can be excruciating and most often leads to the removal of the gallbladder.

How Can I Be Proactive?

This is a great question and one that should be asked more often (and before it’s too late). If you are prone to gallstones, then some helpful dietary approaches include:

• Eating plenty of high-fiber foods (fruits, vegetables, beans, and brown rice)
• Consuming enough healthy fats (olive oil and fish oil)
• Avoiding refined carbohydrates, sugar, and unhealthy fats (fried foods and baked goods)

If you suspect that you are having some gallbladder problems, please contact Dr. Patrick Moore immediately so that he can help determine if you have gallstones or if gallbladder surgery may be in your future.

For more information about gallbladder surgery, please contact Patrick Moore MD, FACS by calling 951-477-5700.