Dietary Fiber Reduces Risk of Gallstones
Dietary fiber may reduce the risk of gallstones, according to a new study published in BMC Gastroenterology. Using a case-control study design, researchers found that diets high in both soluble and insoluble fiber reduced the risk of developing gallstone disease by over 50%. This effect was strongest in older and overweight/obese people. Whole food, plant-based diets are naturally high in fiber and have numerous other known health benefits.1 This aligns with previous studies which have found fruit and vegetable intake to reduce risk of gallstones.2
References
- Tehrani A, Saeede S, Salehpour A, et al. Dietary fiber intake and risk of gallstone: a case–control study. BMC Gastroenterology. 2023;23(1):1-8. doi:10.1186/s12876-023-02752-0
- Zhang J, Xiong J, Xu W, et al. Fruits and vegetables consumption and the risk of gallstone diasease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine. 2019;98:28. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000016404