Is It Okay to Eat Popcorn When You Have Gallstones?
Digestive HealthGallbladder

Can Popcorn Cause Gallbladder Attacks?

Can Popcorn Cause Gallbladder Attacks?
Westend61/Getty Images
By
Updated on August 6, 2025
by

The gallbladder is a small but mighty organ that helps you digest fats. But when it doesn’t function the way it should, it can cause trouble in the form of gallbladder attacks. While genetic factors and underlying health conditions are generally to blame for gallbladder attacks, certain foods may also raise your risk.

That said, are your beloved snacks (like popcorn) among those problematic foods? Find out whether popcorn or other corn products, such as tortilla chips, are bad for your gallbladder, plus tips for preventing attacks.

First, What Is a Gallbladder Attack?

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located near the liver. It's essentially a storage center for bile — a fluid that helps digest fats. Occasionally, this bile forms stones (aka gallstones), which can block the bile from leaving the gallbladder. When this blockage occurs, it's referred to as a gallbladder attack.

The primary symptom of a gallbladder attack is acute pain. But symptoms like nausea, bloating, and gas can also occur, especially after meals. Some people also experience fever, chills, and vomiting along with yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (a condition known as jaundice). And when you experience an attack, it can last several hours or until you pass the gallstones.

It’s important to note that gallbladder attacks can be serious, so if you’re experiencing symptoms or suspect an issue with your gallbladder, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider as soon as you can.

What Causes Gallbladder Attacks?

While it's not exactly clear why gallstones and gallbladder attacks happen, there are a few theories experts have as to why gallstones form and lead to a gallbladder attack.

  • ‌Too much cholesterol in your bile:‌ If your liver excretes more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve, it may form into crystals and eventually stones.
  • Excess bilirubin in your bile:‌ When your body breaks down red blood cells, you create bilirubin. An excess amount of bilirubin can form gallstones, and if the gallstones block your bile ducts, you can experience a gallbladder attack.
  • ‌Gallbladder is not emptying correctly:‌ This can cause bile to become concentrated and form gallstones.

What you eat has the potential to trigger a gallbladder attack, too. Any food high in cholesterol (like red meat, fried foods, and oils) and low in fiber (like refined grains) can increase your risk of gallstones and, thereby, a gallbladder attack.

Can Popcorn Cause a Gallbladder Attack?

If you're not allergic to corn, popcorn itself can actually be a nutritious, whole-grain choice even when you have gallbladder issues. This is because popcorn is high in fiber, which is key for a gallbladder-friendly diet.
But it isn’t really popcorn itself that can cause a gallbladder attack, but more the toppings that you might add to your popcorn that can potentially cause gallbladder issues. For reference, air-popped popcorn with minimal toppings is low in trans fat and cholesterol. But high levels of trans fat and cholesterol can contribute to gallstone formation.

That said, adding toppings like butter, cheese, or chocolate (all of which can be high in fat) to popcorn can increase your chances of a gallbladder attack. Keep in mind: This doesn’t mean the occasional sweet snack is a surefire way to cause gallbladder problems. But if you’re eating a diet that’s already high in cholesterol and fat, snacks like these can aggravate your risk.

Other Foods That Can Cause Gallbladder Attacks

Foods that can possibly trigger a gallbladder attack and contribute to gallbladder dysfunction include:

  • Butter
  • Fried foods
  • Foods high in sodium (salt)
  • Fatty and processed red meats (like bacon or sausages)
  • Full-fat dairy products (like yogurt or whole milk)
  • Condiments with high sugar content (like ketchup or barbecue sauce)
  • Soda and energy drinks
  • Refined carbohydrates (pizza, pastries, pasta, sugary desserts)

Who’s at Risk for Gallbladder Conditions?

In addition to gallbladder attacks, other gallbladder conditions include gallstones and gallbladder disease. While anyone can develop gallbladder dysfunction, some factors can increase your risk.

  • A high-cholesterol diet
  • A family history of gallbladder disease
  • Underlying conditions like obesity, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, or cirrhosis
  • Female sex, age 60 or older, or both
  • Cholesterol-lowering drugs, which can reduce cholesterol in the blood but increase it in the gallbladder

How to Prevent Gallbladder Attacks

While it’s not always possible to completely prevent gallbladder attacks, there are things you can do to decrease the frequency and severity of gallbladder attacks. These include:

  • Have a regular exercise routine.
  • Eat a well-balanced diet that includes lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
  • Avoid foods that are high in sugar, sodium, saturated fats, and refined carbohydrates.
  • Don’t skip meals.

The Takeaway

  • A gallbladder attack is caused by excess cholesterol or bilirubin in your gallbladder.
  • A diet high in saturated fat, sodium, and sugar can increase your risk of experiencing a gallbladder attack.
  • While popcorn on its own likely won’t trigger a gallbladder attack, high-fat toppings like butter or chocolate increase your risk.
  • Choose popcorn toppings that are low in fat and eat other low-fat foods to prevent gallbladder dysfunction.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Galled by the Gallbladder? NIH News in Health. June 17, 2024.
  2. What Causes a Gallbladder Attack? Johns Hopkins Medicine. April 4, 2025.
  3. Hess J. Popcorn: A Healthy, Whole Grain Snack. Agricultural Research Service. 2021.
  4. Tehrani AN et al. Dietary fiber intake and risk of gallstone: a case–control study. BMC Gastroenterology. April 11, 2023.
  5. Gallstones. Johns Hopkins Medicine. February 27, 2025.
  6. Gallstones. Mayo Clinic. April 16, 2025.
  7. What To Eat (and Avoid) When You Have Gallbladder Issues. Cleveland Clinic. March 31, 2025.
  8. Gallbladder Disease. Cleveland Clinic. July 30, 2025.
  9. Gallbladder Pain. Cleveland Clinic. July 30, 2025.
  10. Shanmugam H et al. Physical activity modulating lipid metabolism in gallbladder diseases. Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases. May 12, 2021.
Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
Julie Cunningham

Julie Cunningham, MPH, RDN, LDN, CDCES

Medical Reviewer

Julie Cunningham is a registered dietitian-nutritionist and a certified diabetes care and education specialist.

Cunningham received a bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University in North Carolina. She subsequently completed a master's degree in public health nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Cunningham has worked in women's and children's health, cardiology, and diabetes. She has written for Abbott Nutrition News, Edgepark Medical HealthInsights, diaTribe, Babylist, and others. She is also the author of 30 Days to Tame Type 2 Diabetes.

A resident of beautiful western North Carolina, Cunningham is an avid reader who enjoys yoga, travel, and all things chocolate.

See full bio

Allison Forsyth

Author

Allison Forsyth is a Seattle-based health and wellness writer. She specializes in translating complex medical and nutritional information into accessible, actionable content for diverse audiences. Her expertise includes nutrition science, diabetes management, fitness optimization, and food safety.

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network