The human body is a complex and well-thought-out device in which there is nothing superfluous. Each organ performs its own function, and human life largely depends on the clear and coordinated operation of all systems. The role of the liver in the body is difficult to overestimate - it is an important link in digestion, hematopoiesis, energy and fat metabolism, it neutralizes and removes toxic substances from the body, preventing poisoning. That's why it needs to be protected. The question arises - what is the effect of coffee on the liver, does drinking such a strong and potent drink harm its functioning? Interestingly, doctors did not always answer this question unambiguously.
The effect of coffee on the gallbladder
Coffee has an ambiguous effect on the gallbladder and other organs. When using it, there may be benefits and harm. The effect largely depends on the condition of the organ.
Coffee drinks stimulate contraction of the walls of the gall sac and provoke intense production of bile. In the presence of stagnant processes, there is a positive effect. Coffee prevents the formation of stones and the development of cholecystitis. It has been scientifically proven that the risk of these pathologies is reduced by 45%.
However, in the presence of stones in the bladder, a completely different effect is observed. Espresso is not able to dissolve them. Due to additional stimulation of motility, the walls of the organ are damaged and the bile ducts become clogged. As a result, the inflammatory process begins.
Secrets inside coffee
Coffee contains several components: alkaloids (caffeine, trigonelline), protein, carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, fat, water.
Caffeine is on everyone's lips, and it plays a decisive role in the effect of the drink. It has been established that SMALL doses of caffeine excite the central nervous system, thereby enhancing all metabolic processes, increasing heart rate, breathing, and causing the activation of certain hormones.
Why did we focus on the phrase “small doses”? The effect depends on the portion. In their natural environment, coffee plants produce an aroma to ward off pests. Some insect larvae die from prolonged exposure to coffee alkaloids (including caffeine). There is reason to think...
Small doses of caffeine excite, large doses depress the nervous system
But what we know is not the same aroma of coffee as in nature. When beans are roasted, a complex compound is formed - kafeol , which has not yet been able to be artificially recreated. It is the kafeol that gives the enchanting aroma. The shades of smell are associated with the method and degree of roasting of the beans, that is, the structure of the caféoli.
Let's return to alkaloids. Caffeine is not destroyed by high temperatures. But trigonelline, when processed in this way, turns into nicotinic acid, . Its deficiency leads to dire consequences, especially if a person lives in hot countries. It is not surprising that coffee comes from the tropics and subtropics. For Europeans, fortunately, there are many other products from which a person can get nicotinic acid other than coffee.
The beneficial properties of coffee are also associated with the presence of organic acids (malic, chlorogenic, acetic, citric). They stimulate digestion, activate intestinal and gallbladder peristalsis.
Is it possible to drink coffee with cholecystitis?
If you have cholecystitis, you need to follow a strict diet. Coffee drinks are completely excluded. True, not everything is so categorical. With the right approach and compliance with all other conditions, you can drink coffee for cholecystitis.
The main thing is to constantly monitor the condition of the body. Pain should not increase after drinking coffee.
It is best to consult your doctor first. Treating yourself to your favorite Americano or cappuccino is allowed during a period of stable remission, when attacks and severe pain are not observed. Doctors often do not prohibit drinking coffee for cholecystitis. When making a decision, they rely on the characteristics of the course of the disease and the condition of the body.
Safe doses of coffee
Scientists have found that two teaspoons of ground natural coffee per glass of water (200 grams) at one time is acceptable for the stimulating effect of caffeine.
Above this norm, the substance becomes depressing for the brain, and, therefore, triggers a number of negative commands in the body.
However, coffee standards are relative. The presence of diseases, age, gender, body weight, even a person’s character are directly related to the effect of caffeine. It is almost impossible to derive any ready-made formula.
Drinking coffee drinks for cholelithiasis
It is forbidden to drink coffee if you have gallstones. When consumed, the organ contracts and stones are directed towards the ducts. Due to this, the pain intensifies, and the pathology enters the acute stage.
True, weak Americano with low-fat milk may be useful for gallstone disease. Positive effects are observed when used at the initial stage of pathology. The main thing is not to overuse and drink only in small quantities.
Special versions of the drink
For those who want to improve their cleansing properties and get more benefits, there are ethnic coffees with additives.
For example, in Chinese folk medicine, coffee is mixed with an extract of the Cordyceps tree fungus.
This product is often marketed as a weight loss drink, hepatoprotector, and immune booster. Yes, these properties are inherent in the mixture, but it cannot replace medications prescribed by a doctor. Coffee with cordyceps should be considered an interesting ethnic drink with beneficial properties.
Can I drink coffee after gallbladder removal?
Doctors have a negative attitude towards drinking coffee drinks within three weeks after surgery. During this period, it is extremely important to follow a diet and give up all foods that contribute to the formation of bile. The body needs time to get used to life without a bladder.
It is worth understanding that bile is an aggressive substance. Frequent and abundant release of it into the intestines can lead to aggravation of the problem. There is a risk of developing a peptic ulcer.
People who have undergone cholecystectomy are allowed to drink a cup of weak Americano at least 20 days after removal of the organ. You should resort to such actions only after they have been agreed with your doctor.
Coffee and liver - interesting facts
Opinions about the effect of coffee on the liver have always been controversial. According to the latest research data, it turned out that the drink has a lot of beneficial properties due to its rich composition. It includes:
- Caffeine – provides organ cells with oxygen and can speed up metabolic processes from 3 to 11%. Normalizes lipid metabolic processes, the disruption of which can lead to chronic hepatic dystrophy.
- Essential oils have an antimicrobial effect and stimulate the body's defenses.
- Nitrogen elements - synthesize protein structures, renewing liver tissue.
- Tanning components – prevent premature aging and apoptosis of hepatocytes, neutralize the effects of free radicals.
- Chlorogenic acid – promotes fat burning.
- Organic acids – regulate the acid-base balance.
- Minerals – contribute to the conversion of glucose into glycogen, which significantly helps the organ in performing vital functions.
The effect of natural coffee on the liver and gall bladder is different. The drink is especially dangerous for cholecystitis. Caffeine tones the gastrointestinal tract and increases the production of gastric juice. At the same time, the gallbladder releases more bile than necessary. As a result, the hollow organ stretches and increases in size: the patient feels aching pain and heaviness.
The absence of nerve endings in the liver can play a cruel joke on the patient. The patient learns about the pathology only in the later stages, when treatment is almost impossible. In 83% of cases this leads to death.
What drinks are allowed after cholecystectomy?
During the first few weeks, coffee drinks are prohibited. It is recommended to replace them with chicory. When the recovery period is complete, the following drinks are allowed:
- with milk;
- with added spices;
- natural, but weak drink. The main thing is that it is strained from the grounds.
You will have to give up classic espresso. When using it, the following negative changes are possible:
- diarrhea;
- bloating;
- painful sensations.
Instant coffee is prohibited. It contains a huge amount of chemicals.
Instant coffee
Useful facts about coffee refer to natural ground coffee. It’s worth talking separately about store-bought drinks, which contain stabilizers, preservatives and dyes necessary for long-term storage and a pleasant appearance.
Instant coffee is a dry extract of infusion made from coffee beans. The fruits taken are usually defective ones, those that are not suitable for the grain product. Using special processes and substances, natural coffee brewing is dried into a powder.
Does it contain caffeine, organic acids, and other microelements?
There is nothing worthwhile for human health. In addition, manufacturers, along with starch, which increases the volume of the product, add artificial caffeine. Excess caffeine in instant coffee, in addition to its depressant effect on the nervous system, can be addictive. Like all products containing large amounts of alkaloids (alcohol, for example).
According to technology, instant coffee cannot have a special exciting smell. The aroma comes from a specific substance called kafeol, which is extracted when the beans are roasted. Cheap synthetic flavors help fill this gap.
How to drink coffee correctly after organ removal
Before you treat yourself to a cup of Americano, you need to eat. An hour after eating, drinking a coffee drink is allowed. It is advisable to dilute it with plenty of milk.
For the first time, it is recommended to drink only a few sips. The body has gone without caffeine for a long time and this will be enough to get a boost of energy. After this, you should monitor the condition. If pain or other negative changes appear, you will have to give up coffee.
For diseases of the gall sac and after cholecystectomy, you need to adhere to a diet. As a rule, drinks containing caffeine are excluded. Their use is possible only after examination and approval by a doctor. Otherwise, the situation may worsen and more serious health problems may arise.
Foods that interfere with the flow of bile
The following products can reduce the formation and outflow of bile:
- animal fats in large quantities;
- freshly baked bread and pastries, flour products;
- concentrated fish broth;
- mushrooms;
- fried foods;
- smoked, salted, spicy dishes;
- coffee;
- carbonated drinks;
- onion and garlic;
- legumes
But you shouldn’t exclude them from your diet. Each product, like a small brick, participates in the construction of our body. With the right balance of foods, it will be strong and healthy. Not all foods that reduce the production and secretion of bile are harmful. Many of them are necessary in small quantities for the body. The main thing is that the diet is properly balanced.
Nutrition rules
Stagnation of bile or its insufficient production is a pathology that will not disappear by itself. To eliminate it, it is necessary to take special medications or change your diet. A diet for bile stagnation is drawn up by a doctor, since it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the person’s condition, the nature and causes of the pathology.
First of all, you need to find out which foods you need to exclude from your diet or severely limit their consumption. These are those that contribute to the stagnation of bile, its thickening. These are animal fats, especially pork and lamb, rich broths, smoked meats, canned food, spicy and salty foods. It is necessary to limit the amount of fiber in the diet - black bread, millet. Cocoa, chocolate, coffee, white flour products, legumes, mushrooms, carbonated drinks, spicy vegetables (garlic, radishes, radishes) are also harmful.
Nutrition for stagnation of bile should be organized in accordance with the rules:
- for normal functioning of the biliary tract, food must be warm;
- you need to eat in small portions, but often - up to 5-6 times a day;
- food needs to be boiled, baked or steamed;
- It is recommended to eat vegetarian soups, fermented milk products, and cereals daily;
- drink at least 1.5-2 liters of water every day.
A proper diet and healthy lifestyle will help normalize the digestion process.
Bile performs a number of useful functions in the body. It promotes the digestion of food in the intestines, helps it to be absorbed normally along with nutrients and fats, and also prevents the proliferation of bacteria. Disorders of bile outflow and gallbladder function lead to digestive problems. Such pathologies require treatment and adherence to a diet that includes choleretic foods. Their regular use serves as an excellent preventive measure for biliary dysfunctions and is part of their treatment.
What helps with bile stagnation
If a person produces little bile, his digestion process is disrupted. Most often, this is observed in people who follow an unhealthy diet with a lot of fat and white bread. According to statistics, bile stagnation is most often observed in obese people. They are advised to take measures to lose weight.
When bile stagnates, doctors prescribe special medications: Allahol, Odeston, Tsikvalon. There are many products based on herbal ingredients: “Holosas”, “Sibektan”, “Hofitol”. In addition, to improve the flow of bile, it is useful to engage in physical therapy. After all, a sedentary lifestyle is one of the main reasons for its stagnation. It is also very important to follow a special diet.
Herbs and spices
Spices will help cope with congestion in the bile ducts.
Herbs and spices such as turmeric, dill, fennel, parsley, cilantro, rhubarb, spinach, ginger have a good choleretic effect. For example, ginger is a natural spice that contains amino acids, B vitamins, vitamin C and A, magnesium salts, phosphorus, calcium, iron and other trace elements, which perfectly stimulates the flow of bile. Ginger can be added to teas and used in cooking. A simple and familiar plant, dill is widely used in folk medicine as a choleretic agent; in addition, dill increases the secretion of gastric glands and has diuretic and antispasmodic effects. The seeds are mainly used to prepare decoctions and tinctures. Use herbs and spices in cooking; they will not only reveal the taste of dishes, but also help in the fight against bile stagnation.
