Bile, secreted by liver cells, is continuously secreted and has the functions of digesting fats, protecting the liver, and promoting absorption. The amount of bile remains in dynamic balance and may increase or decrease due to various factors. The total amount of bile secreted by the liver each day is approximately 800-1000mL. Increases or decreases in bile can have a significant impact on our health, especially when liver function is abnormal.

Normal Bile Quantity

The normal daily secretion of total bile for healthy individuals is approximately 800-1000mL. Bile is secreted by the liver, passes through the left and right hepatic ducts, and is stored in the gallbladder. The gallbladder has a powerful concentrating function, able to concentrate bile more than 10 times, with a maximum capacity of 60-80mL. The daily amount of bile secreted by the liver also varies depending on the amount of water consumed and the types of food eaten. Consuming large amounts of fatty tissue or protein, for example, can lead to increased bile secretion, resulting in bile volumes exceeding 1000mL.

Functions of Bile

1. Digestion of Fats

Bile is a digestive fluid that emulsifies fats, although it does not contain digestive enzymes. Bile also plays a crucial role in the absorption of fats. Components such as bile salts, cholesterol, and lecithin in bile reduce the surface tension of fats, allowing them to emulsify into many small droplets, thereby facilitating the digestion of fats.

2. Protection of the Liver

During non-digestive periods, bile is stored in the gallbladder. When needed, during digestion, bile is released from the gallbladder into the duodenum. This bile then gradually digests the food we consume, allowing our intestines to absorb and utilize the nutrients in the food. Residual food particles are then passed into the large intestine and excreted from the body. Storing bile in the gallbladder also helps protect the liver and gallbladder. However, it is important not to allow bile to remain in the gallbladder for too long, as this can lead to increased bile concentration and potential damage to the gallbladder, which may trigger gallbladder inflammation.

3. Promotion of Absorption

Many people experience indigestion, which can lead to poor absorption of nutrients from food. Long-term indigestion can result in symptoms such as malnutrition and anemia. Experts point out that these symptoms are often caused by insufficient bile secretion. It is important to protect the liver and gallbladder to promote adequate bile secretion, which can facilitate digestion and absorption. Bile salts, when reaching a certain concentration, can polymerize to form micelles. Fatty breakdown products in the intestinal cavity can then be incorporated into these micelles, forming water-soluble complexes that facilitate the absorption and utilization of fatty digestion products. Therefore, maintaining regular eating habits throughout the day is crucial.