We know how uncomfortable a pain can be, and especially when it comes to stomach pain from gallstones, you definitely need immediate relief. Gallstones are basically hardened deposits of bile – the digestive fluid in the body. Some gallstones cause no symptoms and therefore no surgery is necessary. But sometimes gallstones come down to constant, intense pain in the upper or right middle of the abdomen. This is the case where you need proper medical care.
Formation of gallstones
Doctors think gallstones are the result of excess cholesterol in your bile. Cholesterol forms crystals and possibly stones when your liver excretes more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve. So the main reason is too much cholesterol. Now the question is: can bananas affect or cause gallstones?
Causes:
Excess Cholesterol: These calculations are usually the result of this excess cholesterol that your bile cannot dissolve. So that the remaining cholesterol eventually turns into stones.
Too much bilirubin in the bile: If your bile contains too much of a chemical called 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 the result of fatty, processed and sugary foods. Therefore, there are certain foods, not necessarily fatty foods, where people have doubts if they may have gallstones. One of them is banana, if you can have a banana in gallstones? Does banana make gallstones worse? Let’s read further to find out more.
Can I eat banana in gallstones?
To cure most stomach problems, diet always plays a central role. It is rightly said that what you eat is directly proportional to your physical condition and your abdominal health. So let’s see what is the relevance of bananas to cure gallstones and its symptoms.
As our main objective is to make our gallbladder store and concentrate the bile so that our small intestine can break down fat. The health of our gallbladder depends a lot on our overall diet. Let’s see how bananas can help.
Bananas are excellent as a balanced, healthy diet with nutrition.
They provide a lot of fiber. (Also read: 10 high-fiber vegetables you should eat every day)
They support the health of the gallbladder because they are low in sugar and saturated fat.
A medium-sized banana satisfies 3% of your 12% daily fiber.
If you regularly eat bananas and other fresh products, you are less likely to develop gallstones that require surgery.
Bananas are great for your digestive health. Having a medium-sized banana a day will help prevent bloating, gas, and stomach cramps. Bananas contain fiber and water which aid and improve the digestion process. This way, your gallbladder is not stressed.
Apart from that, you should take note of several foods to avoid as they could worsen your condition with gallstones and also, several foods that you can include in your diet to avoid the risks of surgery.
Read also: A high-fiber diet reduces the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes
Foods to avoid in gallstones:
Fatty, fried or processed foods: these foods are more difficult to break down and can therefore lead to the formation of gallstones.
Foods containing more than 3 grams of fat: a high intake of saturated and trans fats will put additional pressure on the breakdown process and could facilitate the formation of gallstones.
Red meat and dairy products: these foods are high in protein but also high in fat. Therefore, these fat intakes can put pressure on your gallbladder, resulting in the formation of gallstones.
Some foods you can incorporate to prevent gallstones:
Healthy fats rich in omega-3, such as nuts, cold water fish, flax seeds. These are good options for healthy fats that can help protect your gallbladder.
Drinking coffee in moderation can help keep your gallbladder healthy as it contains certain substances that help balance certain chemicals and stimulate the gallbladder’s effects.
Eating calcium through dark leafy greens, yogurt, cheese, and moderate amounts of orange juice can help.
Folic Acid, Magnesium and Vitamin C: Some fresh fruits and vegetables are an incredible source of these nutrients. These include red and green peppers, broccoli, kiwi, citrus, strawberries and tomatoes. Magnesium is found in soy milk, almonds, cashew nuts, peanuts, spinach, yoghurt and bananas. Folate can be found in fortified cereals, beef liver, spinach, and black-eyed peas. These nutrients protect your gallbladder. (Also read: Benefits of Probiotics)
Fiber is the preferred answer to many stomach problems. If you consume a lot of fiber, less mud will accumulate in your gallbladder, improving function and preventing gallstones from forming. Eat enough legumes, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds as high-fiber sources in your diet.
When should a doctor be consulted?
If you have symptoms like:
You may experience sudden sharp pain in the upper right part of your abdomen, in the middle of your abdomen or directly under your breastbone.
Nausea or vomiting.
Pain in the right shoulder.
Back pain between shoulders.
Fever accompanied by abdominal pain.
Throbbing pain after taking your meals.
Take away
Therefore, these are eating habits that you can teach to get rid of gallstones and take care of the health of your gallbladder. You also need to get used to certain lifestyle changes, which include regular exercise, an active lifestyle, and not a sedentary lifestyle with unhealthy habits. Get into the habit of drinking plenty of water, not skipping meals, eating fiber, and eating what you eat.