Pineapple juice may help relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, according to research funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Published research does not suggest that pineapple juice helps gallbladder problems. Some gallbladder disorders can prove fatal, so consult a medical professional before trying pineapple juice or any alternative remedy to treat gallstones or gallbladder disease.
Pineapple Gallbladder Cleanse
A gallbladder cleanse, which consists of drinking olive oil and a fruit juice such as pineapple juice, is an alternative remedy for gallstones. Gallstones may accompany gallbladder inflammation, Sometimes gallstones block a duct in your gallbladder, a life-threatening condition. A pineapple and olive oil cleanse is supposed to dissolve gallstones so they can exit your body through your stool. The olive oil will work as a laxative, but the pineapple juice will unlikely dissolve gallstones, according to MayoClinic.com.
Side Effects
If you're allergic to pineapple, drinking pineapple juice to treat gallbladder problems could cause hives, difficulty breathing and, in severe cases, anaphylactic shock. Seek emergency medical care if, after drinking pineapple juice, you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing and swelling of your throat. Side effects of olive oil include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. If a cleanse calls for any additional ingredients, such as herbs, research possible side effects before using.
Drugs
A medical professional is more likely to recommend drugs than the non-scientifically proven pineapple and olive oil gallstone remedy. If you have small gallstones -- less than 15 millimeters in diameter -- you may be prescribed an oral medication called ursodeoxycholic acid to break up your gallstones. If this doesn’t work, or if you have gallstones larger than 15 millimeters in diameter, your doctor may recommend you have the medications tert-butyl or monooctanoin infused into your gallbladder to dissolve your gallstones.
Considerations
Shock wave therapy is another possible treatment option for dissolving gallstones. Surgery to remove your gallbladder may become necessary if your gallstones are obstructing a gallbladder duct. You don't need a gallbladder to maintain good health, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Childbirth increases your risk of getting gallstones, but breastfeeding may offset the risk. Drug therapy, like a pineapple cleanse, may not work. When drugs do work, they may take up to two years to dissolve gallstones.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Gallbladder Cleanse: A 'Natural' Remedy for Gallstones?; Michael F. Picco; Feb. 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gallbladder Disease; Feb 2010
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Research Shows Promise of Pineapple Extract for Inflammatory Bowel Disease; March 2008
- "Clinical Immunology"; Bromelain Treatment Decreases Secretion of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Chemokines by Colon Biopsies in Vitro; J.E. Onken, et al.; March 2008
- Univeristy of Maryland Medical Center: Food Allergy
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