Can drinking too much alcohol cause gallbladder problems?

Raise your glass for the age-old question: can drinking too much alcohol cause gallbladder problems? Well, my friend, let’s dive headfirst into this and explore everything you need to know about alcohol consumption and its link to our little green friend.

What is the gallbladder?

Before we get started, it’s essential to understand what we’re talking about here. The gallbladder is a small organ that sits just beneath the liver on the upper right side of your abdomen [1]. It acts as a storage unit for bile – an acidic liquid used in aiding digestive processes. Think of it like a flask of acid strapped to your torso.

How does alcohol affect the gallbladder

Now, back to business! Let’s address whether or not excessive drinking can cause issues with our trusty ol’ bile-storing buddy.
When you drink excess amounts of alcohol, which I’m sure many people haven’t done before…right?, it makes its way down into your small intestine instead of being absorbed through the stomach lining. This then triggers contractions in the gallbladder meant for moving bile from that area into digestion mode [2]. Crazy how smart our bodies are!

As good as this sounds however, constant triggering leads to persistent contraction which results in accumulation (and eventually led Zeppelin-style-grooves)  of unused bile within the sac leading to inflammation known around these parts (medical community) as “Alcoholic Pancreatitis” or “Huffing and Puffing Gourd”.

But wait there’s more!

The risks don’t stop there folks! The long term effect may lead one down a path towards developing sludge build-up due remaining residual accumulating inflammatory substances leading up/near that sac o’bile commonly referred to medical-y professionels ‘Cholesterolosis’ but for the rest of us: ‘Bile Sludge.’ Not fun!

Gallstones and Alcohol

Gallstones are a pretty common issue, with around one in every ten adults affected by them worldwide [3]. But can heavy drinking result in an increased risk? Yes…and No?? Hmm.

Let me explain

While it’s true that alcohol has been known to reduce gallbladder contractions, which might lead to fewer gallstone incidents. It’s important to note that heavy drinking alongside long periods of abstinence from drink have also been linked with worsening symptoms IN OTHER WORDS – BALANCE AND MODERATION ARE KEY. Something our forefathers knew all too well when they purchased their prohibitionist wares at one AM from the heavily guarded speakeasy across town…

But fear not!  The study notes where we don’t needa go back there anymore as “A Moderate amount of intake seems sufficient or even beneficial”

See kids, moderation is key – you heard it here first folks (even if your parents always said liquor was quicker).

So…what exactly does this mean?

In conclusion smartypants too much alcohol consumption certainly puts you at higher risk for developing gallstones and other issues related to bile discharge through inflammation /unproductive contraction syndrome…ewww/

However, moderate consumption is apparently A-OKAY. Balancing out life between obtaining necessary nutrients/pleasures light or hard will create harmony and maintain proper motion throughout ones own digestive unit

And avoid sludge build up please. Have a little respect for ole faithful.

It’s important—nay critical—for those who like to partake in an ice-cold brew after a long day of work/crying over past failed relationships/heavy taxing personal debate…we could name countless reasons why…. sorry let me collect myself …

It’s essential to understand the effects of what we’re putting into our bodies, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun along the way. Cheers to all, drinking responsibly or for some potential forbidden sludge build up, now go impress your friends with your newfound knowledge while enjoying either a beer…or tea.

References:

  1. What is the Gallbladder? (2020). Retrieved 11 November 2020, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallbladder

  2. Alcohol And The Digestive System – Addiction Center (2019). Retrieved 11 November 2020,

  3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases “Gallstones.” Updated: December 2017..

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