Obese Women May Face Higher Risk Of This Condition

Obese women may have a higher risk of gallstone disease ^[1] , according to a new study in the journal Hepatology.

Researchers from Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark found that gallstone disease ^[2] -- which is when people develop pebble-like gallstones in their gallbladders -- is more likely to affect older women who are not very physically active, as well as those who drink less alcohol and take hormone replacement therapy.

The findings, published in the journal Hepatology ^[3] , are based on data from 77,679 people. For the study, researchers used a Mendelian randomization approach -- according to a statement, this means employing "a method using genetic variation to study the impact of modifiable risk factors as the cause of a disease" -- to see how lifestyle factors could affect risk for gallstones.

After following up 34 years later, researchers found that 4,106 of the study participants had developed gallstone disease that causes symptoms. (Gallstones don't often cause symptoms ^[4] , but when they do, they can lead to pain and inflammation, as well as complications such as infection, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports.)

Researchers found that not only are women more likely to have gallstones than men, but there was also a significant link between weight and gallstone risk -- particularly, for every 1 kilogram per meter squared increase in BMI, there was a 7 percent higher risk of gallstone disease.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, gallstones are a lot more common in women ^[5] than in men. As many as one in four women will have gallstones by the time they reach 60, and and up to half of women will have gallstones by the time they reach 75. Meanwhile, just one in five men will have gallstones by the time they reach 75.

UMMC explained why women are more likely to have gallstones ^[6] :

In general, women are probably at increased risk because estrogen stimulates the liver to remove more cholesterol from blood and divert it into the bile.

The best way to prevent gallstones ^[7] is to not skip meals and maintain a healthy weight, according to the Mayo Clinic. Dramatic weight loss can also increase risk.

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BEST: Fruits And Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are great for digestion because most are high in fiber, King says. Bechtold adds that the fiber in produce has an added benefit of regulating bowel movements.

BEST: Whole Grains

Whole grain foods, including brown rice and wheat, also contain lots of fiber, making them another top food group good for digestion, King says. (Obviously this advice may not apply for people with chronic conditions like celiac disease or other gluten sensitivities, since wheat contains gluten.)

BEST: Bananas

While all fruits and vegetables are generally good for digestion, bananas in particular are great because they don't irritate the stomach. That's why they're part of the "BRAT Diet" for vomiting or diarrhea -- that is, the bananas, rice, applesauce and dry toast diet. "Those are the four things that tend to be the easiest tolerated amongst people and they tend to be bland, so they won't irritate the stomach like other foods," King says. They are also good for replacing the body's electrolytes, she adds.

BEST: Water

"Water is excellent for digestion, and that's one thing I think people don't drink enough of," King says. Water helps the digestive process because it helps move things through the intestines.

BEST: Ginger

Spices and herbs like ginger, turmeric and peppermint are great for settling an upset stomach, King says. Try drinking ginger or peppermint tea, or sucking on a peppermint lozenge.

BEST: Probiotic-Containing Foods Like Yogurt

Probiotics are good for the digestive system because they contain good bacteria that crowds out any bad bacteria that you may have in your gut, King says. You want to look specifically for foods that contain <em>live</em> bacteria, such as yogurt and kefir.

BEST: Prebiotic-Containing Foods Like Asparagus And Oats

Prebiotic foods contain a type of fiber the <em>probiotics</em> feed off of to multiply, "so it’s good food for your good bacteria," King says. Prebiotics are found in foods such as asparagus, onions, lentils and whole grains.

WORST: Spicy Foods

Spicy foods can be bad for digestion because they may trigger acid reflux symptoms for some people, King notes.

WORST: Caffeine

Similarly to spicy foods, those containing caffeine can also trigger acid reflux, as it relaxes the esophageal sphincter -- the flap that keeps what you've eaten down in your stomach -- causing food to come back up into the esophagus, King says. What about coffee, which is high in caffeine yet always seems to help us "go?" King says coffee is powerful for triggering peristalsis -- the term for movement of food through the intestines -- it does contain caffeine, which means it can still cause reflux. But it could help someone who is struggling with constipation, she notes.

WORST: Acidic Foods Like Soda

Like spicy and caffeinated foods, acidic picks like soda can also trigger reflux, King says.

WORST: Foods High In Saturated Fat

Fatty foods can induce heartburn and diarrhea due to poor absorption of fat, Bechtold says. King adds that you can tell if your diet contains too many high-fat foods because your stool will float to the top of the toilet. This is a sign that you might want to cut back on the saturated fat.

WORST: Alcohol

Alcohol also relaxes the esophageal sphincter, which can then trigger acid reflux, King says. Bechtold adds that it can induce inflammation in the stomach.