Spicy snacks can actually damage the gallbladder. how could that be?

For those of you who love spicy food, of course you are immune to the sensation of exploding heat in the mouth. Especially if you just eat spicy snacks with small portions. Even though it looks harmless, that doesn't mean you can snack on it as much spicy as you like, you know. The reason is, spicy snacks can actually eat away at your gallbladder slowly.

Most eating spicy snacks can damage the gallbladder

Source: Clean Food Crush

Snack or snack with a spicy taste sometimes makes some people addicted. This is because a chemical in chilies called capsaicin can trigger the secretion of endorphins, hormones that can relieve stress and trigger feelings of happiness. So do not be surprised if after eating spicy food, you can be more relaxed and addicted to eating it again and again.

However, no matter how strong your body is with a spicy taste in a snack, that doesn't mean you can eat it every day, especially in large quantities. Be careful, eating too many spicy snacks can actually damage the gallbladder.

This was experienced by Rene Craighead, a 17 year old girl from Tennessee. Quoted from LiveScience, Rene had to undergo gallbladder surgery after eating four large spicy snacks a week. He initially complained of stomach pain, but over time the pain got worse and lasted for days.

What do spicy snacks have to do with the gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a small organ located near the liver that functions to store and release bile into the intestine. This bile is used to digest fat into fatty acids.

Dr. Sabrena Noria, an assistant lecturer in surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, revealed that consumption of spicy snacks does not actually harm the gallbladder directly. The reason is, food will only be digested in the stomach and directly absorbed by the intestines, meaning it does not pass through the gallbladder first.

Apparently, the problem lies in the high fat content in snacks which is a factor in triggering inflammation of the gallbladder. When high-fat snacks begin to be digested by the stomach, the gallbladder will produce cholecistokinins to help digest fat from food.

The higher the level of digested fat, the more the gallbladder contracts to produce more bile. As a result, this can trigger inflammation and increase the risk of gallstones.

Symptoms of inflammation of the gallbladder are characterized by a sharp abdominal pain accompanied by a burning sensation in the stomach. This condition can be aggravated if you continue to eat fatty foods and drink alcohol.

Relax, you can still eat spicy snacks, as long as…

Basically, all types of spicy snacks are actually safe for consumption as long as they have a distribution permit from the POM. By having a distribution permit number (NIE) from the BPOM, this means that the food is considered safe in terms of its composition, nutritional content and packaging.

The most important thing is to limit the portion of spicy snacks you consume, even if your body looks healthy and fine after consuming them. Especially for those of you who have ulcer disease or GERD, you should avoid this spicy snack so that it doesn't worsen your disease.

Don't forget to also read the nutritional value contained in the snack packaging. That way, you can find out how much fat is in these snacks. But keep in mind that most snacks are high in fat, so you should read their nutritional value first.

If you begin to experience symptoms of gallbladder inflammation, you should immediately improve your diet. Avoid eating high fat foods, spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, and dairy products which can interfere with the health of your digestive organs.

As a solution, replace it by eating lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and other high-fiber foods which are certainly healthier for you.