Gallstone attacks can be extremely painful, just speak to those who have suffered a bout. Gallstones can form when bile, stored to help the body digest fat, hardens into irregular “stones;” the stone(s) potentially blocking the normal exit of bile from the gallbladder and distending the organ in a very painful attack.

Now comes an intriguing study out of the University of East Angla School of Medicine in Norwich, U.K. which claims that one to two glasses of wine daily may help prevent gallstone formation by one third as compared to non-drinkers. The results of the study were presented in May, 2009 at the Digestive Disease Week conference in Chicago by Dr. Andrew Hart. Previous studies have suggested that alcohol, in general, may offer a preventative effect on gallstone formation.

Dr. Hart and researchers culled the dietary habits of more that 25,000 men and women, noting that 267 patients developed gallstones. The researchers then compared the drinking habits in this population with those who obstained. They found that ~6 ounces of wine per day resulted in a 32% lower risk of gallstones. In fact, the more the participants consumed, the lower the risk. Note, however, that at some point, the risks of excessive alcohol intake do outweigh the benefits, although that threshold is not identified. Clearly, this is still another study that adds further questions and confusion to the true benefits of wine and alcohol consumption. Needless to say, there are many more studies to come over the years that will, hopefully, clarify these, as of yet, unanswered questions.

Tags: gallbladder, gallstones, wine