Can I eat bananas with gallstones? Overview
Have you been diagnosed with gallstones? Do you also enjoy eating bananas?
You might be wondering whether it’s safe for you to continue eating bananas while having gallstones. You are in the right place to find out.
As we know, dietary factors have a huge impact on gallstone development, for example, the risk increases with:
High-fat
Low-fiber
Low-calcium
Low-Vitamin C
Obesity
Rapid weight loss
Before discussing if you can eat bananas with gallstones let’s have a little banana 101
Can I Eat Bananas with Gallstones
Banana is one of the most beloved tropical fruits.
Aside from being a delicious snack, it has quite a lot of beneficial nutrients which can have a positive impact on our cardiovascular health, digestion, and metabolism.
Unfortunately, no scientific studies are researching the exact relation between banana consumption and gallstone disease, but we can just break down the nutrients in bananas and analyze their probable effects on gallbladder health.
Let’s look at energetic value and important nutrition facts about banana
100 grams of banana is just 89 calories
Total fat – 0,3g
Cholesterol – 0 mg
Potassium – 358 mg
Total Carbohydrates – 23 g
Protein – 1,1 g
Vitamin A- 1,3%
Vitamin C – 15%
Calcium – 0,4%
Iron – 1,4%
Low fat
While having gallstones, physicians always advise patients to switch to a low-fat diet and minimize cholesterol consumption, since fats increase strain on already diseased gallbladder and cholesterol can be one of the main culprits for stone development.
Bananas, as noted above, basically have no fat and 0 mg cholesterol – making it a safe snack for those with gallstones.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble dietary supplement with a bunch of benefits for health.
According to an NCBI population-based study conducted in Germany, regular Vitamin C supplementation has protective effects for gallstone disease development.
In a study, those who consumed vitamin C additives had much lower gallbladder disease rates than those who took no Vitamin C.
Although not as much as citruses like oranges and grapefruits, bananas also have some content of vitamin C, approximately 10mg can be found in 1 banana.
Have a Healthy Weight
Being overweight disrupts the hormone balance, especially in women, and therefore the possibility of gallstones increases.
Fat in the waist area makes gallstones problems worse.
However, while trying to lose weight, you should avoid excessively heavy diets and aim to reach the right weight over time, with a long-term nutrition program. Because unhealthy nutrition also increases gall problems.
Banana is a very diet-friendly food.
Many studies are highlighting the connection between obesity and a higher risk for gallstone formation.
That being so, it’s often advised to slowly normalize BMI to avoid gallstone disease or its complications.
Banana is a very weight-loss-friendly fruit, with only 89 calories per 100 grams, low-fat and high-fiber content.
Remember that it’s important for weight loss to be gradual and not drastic, since rapid weight loss was observed to increase the risk for gallstone development.
Fiber
Fiber is a well-known remedy for digestive problems, there is a study specifically researching the positive effects of soluble fibers on cholesterol gallstone development.
1 Banana has on average 3 mg of total fiber per serving.
What’s more interesting is the content of insoluble – starch fiber, in unripe, green bananas, which can almost act like prebiotics – aiding in digestion and weight loss.
Exercise Regularly
Can I Eat Bananas with Gallstones – Exercise
Be active during the day and do not stop moving despite getting older.
Because sports and exercises are good for hormone balance, they also reduce inflammation, stimulate the digestive system and allow you to lose weight without the need for diet.
Moderate exercise for 30-60 minutes every day will support many people.
What Can I Eat For Gallstones?
High fiber foods: If you get 30-40 grams of fiber every day, your risk of gallstones decreases. Broad beans, sprouts, nuts, fresh vegetables and fruits will provide enough support in this regard.
Beets and dandelions: These vegetables are particularly beneficial for liver health and have detoxifying effects. They also improve bile flow and facilitate the breakdown of fats.
You can also use these foods to make vegetable smoothies, and add potassium-rich avocados, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and bananas.
Unrefined healthy fats: Coconut oil is one of the most easily digested fats by the body and has medium-chain fatty acids. It is very important to consume healthy fats during the day.
You should consume enough fat at each meal to equal a tablespoon. Extra virgin olive oil is another type of anti-inflammatory oil with many benefits.
A diet rich in vegetables: Individuals who follow the bile diet prefer mainly uncooked fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. While these foods contain plenty of water, electrolytes, antioxidants, and fiber, they are low in salt and fats.
Following a vegetarian diet also reduces the risk of gallstones because it avoids processed meats and dairy products.
Quality proteins: Consuming foods that contain organic proteins also reduces the pressure on gall.
You can opt for chicken, turkey, red meat, fish, and organic protein powders, but make sure all meat products are organic and natural.
Consume Plants, Acids and Enzymes That Are Good for Your Gallstones
Thistle (150 milligrams twice a day): Thistle has been shown to increase bile flow and detoxify the liver and gall bladder.
It also has antioxidant effects, blocks toxins, improves protein synthesis, has antifibrotic effects and regulates the immune system.
Turmeric (1000 milligrams per day): Turmeric is a very active spice and the anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin in it can reduce bile problems.
Dandelion root (500 milligrams with meals): Dandelion has been used for centuries for digestive problems and supports the liver and regulates gall flow.
Barberries: This herb is used for the treatment of digestive problems, fights infections and cleans the gall and liver.
Rosemary oil: Mix three
In conclusion
It is safe to eat bananas while having gallstones, it can do you no wrong since it has no fat, can aid you in weight loss and has other beneficial nutrients like fibers and Vitamin C.
Always contact your doctor before making any drastic changes in your diet.
References:
https://www.nutritionvalue.org/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
