Can patients with gallstones eat persimmons?
Sep 29, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
In general, patients with gallstones can consume persimmons, but they should control the amount. If a patient's condition is stable, moderate consumption of ripe persimmons is acceptable. Ripe persimmons are rich in vitamin C, carotene, and dietary fiber, which are beneficial to health. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, persimmons also have effects of clearing heat, relieving deficiency-induced dryness, moistening the lungs, and resolving phlegm.
In general, patients with gallstones can usually eat persimmons, but they should control the amount consumed. The specific analysis is as follows:
If a patient's gallstone condition is stable, it is acceptable to consume moderate amounts of ripe persimmons. Ripe persimmons are rich in vitamin C, carotenoids, and dietary fiber, which are beneficial for overall health. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, persimmons have effects of clearing heat, relieving dryness, moistening the lungs, and resolving phlegm. People with respiratory issues may not only eat the fruit but also steep persimmon leaves as tea or use them as a mouth rinse to help cleanse the lungs and reduce phlegm.
When consuming persimmons, patients with gallstones should ensure the fruit is fully ripe, as unripe persimmons contain higher levels of tannic acid (tannins), which may combine with minerals from other foods to form compounds that are difficult for the body to absorb. However, these compounds do not directly affect gallstones themselves.
In daily life, maintaining a low-fat, low-cholesterol, and light diet, along with regular eating habits, helps support recovery. If a patient is experiencing an acute episode of cholecystitis or biliary colic, they should avoid eating persimmons or any other foods that might stimulate the gallbladder.
