The gallbladder is a storage facility of sorts; the liver produces bile, a substance that aids digestion, and stores bile in the gallbladder until it is needed. A gallbladder attack is a more common term for gallbladder disease. You can develop gallstones (medical term: cholelithiasis), a condition in which a hard mass is trapped in the gallbladder, or a blockage in the bile ducts through which the bile passes (a condition called cholecystitis, or biliary colic). Certain foods can worsen the intensity of a gallbladder attack or make you more likely to suffer from gallbladder pain. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), there are also foods that may be able to prevent gallstones and other forms of gallbladder disease.
Fat-Laden Foods
Bile is secreted to help digest fat, according to the University of Pennsylvania Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery. For this reason, fatty foods such as pastries, fried foods and snacks, and even meats that contain saturated fats, can intensify or provoke a gallbladder attack. Eating "healthy" fats, such as the monounsaturated fats found in flax seed products, fish oil and foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, do not always contribute to gallbladder attacks, according to the UMMC. People who eat a more Mediterranean diet containing olive oil and fatty fish may see a reduction in gallbladder disease.
Iron-Rich Foods
Heme iron, the type of dietary iron that derives from animal products such as red meats, may cause some people to develop gallstones. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that the risk of gallstones due to iron consumption is higher in men than in women. Non-heme iron, a nutrient that comes from vegetables and grains, does not seem to cause gallbladder attacks, according to the UMMC.
Carbohydrates
People who eat large amounts of carbohydrates, particularly refined carbs such as white breads, pastas and rices, may have an increased risk of gallbladder attacks. The culprit in this case is sugar, and these kinds of carbs convert to sugar once in the body. According to the UMMC, people who have high blood sugar or diabetes are more likely to suffer from gallbladder problems as well.
Foods That Reduce Risks
Dietary modifications may help reduce the risk of gallbladder disease in some people. The UMMC reports that drinking coffee and moderate amounts of alcohol--no more than two alcoholic drinks daily--may help decrease the risk of gallstones. For reasons that are unknown, caffeinated coffee can cause the gallbladder to contract, and lowers the amount of cholesterol in bile, which can contribute to gallstones. Full-caffeine teas and soft drinks do not promote the same effect on the gallbladder. Increasing dietary fiber, including eating tree nuts, may also help prevent gallbladder pain.
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