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Researchers studied the diets of 25,639 people over 10 years Photo: PA Scientists previously knew that moderate levels of alcohol could protect against gallstones, but did not know how much was needed.
Gallstones occur when bile from the gallbladder, which is normally fluid, forms stones.
They can be extremely painful and treatment is often surgery to remove the gallbladder. Around one in 10 people will develop gallstones, which can be caused by infections, family history or too much cholesterol. Researchers from the University of East Anglia studied the diets of 25,639 people over 10 years. During that time 267 of the volunteers developed gallstones. Overall, those who consumed two units of alcohol a day saw their chances of developing gallstones fall by one third. Every unit drunk a week cut the chances by three per cent, the study found. "These findings significantly increase our understanding of the development of gallstones," said Dr Andrew Hart, senior lecturer in gastroenterology at the university. "Once we examine all the factors related to their development in our study in Britain, including diet, exercise, body weight and alcohol intake, we can develop a precise understanding of what causes gallstones and how to prevent them." Dr Hart presented his findings on at the Digestive Disease Week annual meeting in Chicago. A standard 175ml glass of wine, or one pint of beer, contain around two units. Women are warned that they should not drink more than two to three units a day and men that they should limit their intake to between three and four units a day.
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