Peanut butter is a common spread in numerous people’s daily meal plans, especially for breakfast. This nut butter is highly nutritious and peanut butter is a good alternative to dairy butter. However, many peanut butter lovers got affected by gallbladder attacks.
So the question arises here. Can peanut butter cause gallbladder attacks? No peanut butter does not cause a gallbladder attack. In fact, Regular consumption of peanut butter five times a week or more can reduce the risk of gallbladder disease by 25 percent (1).
However, too much consumption of peanut butter is associated with gallbladder-related problems. Surplus consumption of peanut butter can cause a gallbladder attack as it is high in fat and free from vitamin C.
Let’s check the detailed analysis of the relationship between peanut butter and gallbladder attack and how to prevent it.
Why Does Peanut Butter Cause Gallbladder Attack?
Peanut butter is a rich source of both total fat and saturated fat. A 100 gram serving of natural peanut butter contains 51.1 grams of total fat and 10.1 grams of saturated fat (2). The same serving also does not contain another essential vitamin aka vitamin C.
All of these three factors are associated with gallbladder problems or even the formation of gallstones. But why do these factors cause gallbladder problems?
Well, studies have shown that too much intake of high-fat foods increases the risk of biliary cholesterol (3). Our bile system can not able to dissolve biliary cholesterol in case of high production, which in turn converts into crystals.
These trapped crystals produce gallbladder sludge. With time, the crystals become stones and occlude the ducts which ultimately produce the gallstone disease (4).
Moreover, some other common causes of gallbladder problems are (5, 6):
- Inadequate intake of vitamin C
- Consumption of high carb diet
- Obesity
As peanut butter is moderately high in carbs and does not contain vitamin C, it may cause gallbladder problems. Also, the high density of saturated fat can cause gallbladder attacks through obesity. As saturated fat can increase the risk of obesity (7).
Can Peanut Butter Cause Gallbladder Pain?
Surplus intake of peanut butter can cause gallbladder pain because of its high fat component. According to studies, consumption of fat-rich foods can trigger gallbladder contraction which in turn promotes gallbladder pain (8).
Furthermore, the absence of vitamin C in peanut butter can be another reason behind long-time gallbladder pain. As vitamin C is very beneficial for gallbladder problems, the deficiency of this vitamin may prevent quick relief from gallbladder pain.
Also Check:- Can Peanut Butter Cause Constipation?
Can Peanut Butter Cause Gallstones?
Gallstones occur due to cholesterol supersaturation. High intake of fatty foods is one of the major contributors to cholesterol overload. As peanut butter is a rich source of fat it can cause gallstones in case of surplus intake.
Moreover, less consumption of vitamin C is also associated with gallstone formation. The zero vitamin C component of peanut butter may indirectly promote gallstones in case of low consumption of other vitamin C rich foods.
However, peanut butter is a rich source of monounsaturated fat which is beneficial for the prevention of gallstones. That’s why a controlled intake of peanut butter may not trigger gallstone problems.
Can Patient With Gallstone Eat Peanut Butter?
It is a wise idea to avoid high fat peanut butter if you are facing gallbladder issues or gallstones. The high fat and zero vitamin C nutrient value of peanut butter may worsen your condition.
How To Prevent Peanut Butter Gallbladder Attacks?
The first and foremost way to prevent gallbladder attacks during peanut butter consumption is to reduce intake of this. A controlled intake of peanut butter with other fiber and vitamin C rich foods can help you to prevent gallbladder attacks.
Studies have shown that intake of high fiber foods reduces the risk of gallbladder attacks (8). On the other hand, a low-carb diet is also associated with a reduced risk of gallbladder problems.
That’s why high fiber and low carb foods should be your second privilege to stop gallbladder attacks. Some other foods can also be beneficial. These are (9):
- Foods rich in monounsaturated fat
- Omega-3 fatty acid rich foods like fish and olive oil
- Vegetables with a high protein component
- Fruits
- Coffee
Also Check: Is Peanut Butter Good For Stomach Ulcers
Will Peanut Butter Upset My Gallbladder?
Peanut butter is a great source of mono-saturated fat and fiber. These two nutrients help to maintain a healthy gallbladder. That’s why peanut butter will not upset your stomach.
However, peanut butter is also high in saturated fat and total fat. Surplus consumption of peanut butter can upset your stomach by causing an over intake of saturated fat and total fat.
Final Thoughts
Peanut butter is a healthy nut butter that is widely consumed throughout the world. However, peanut butter is high in fat and does not contain vitamin C. Both of these two factors can trigger gallbladder attacks.
Also, peanut butter is a rich source of saturated fat which may promote gallstones by promoting obesity. Furthermore, peanut butter is high in carbs also. The consumption of high carb foods is one of the most common reasons for gallbladder problems like:
- Gallbladder pain
- Gallstones
That’s why although peanut butter contains gallbladder-friendly monounsaturated fats the other nutrient combinations of this healthy nut butter may create trouble for gallbladder patients.
