Woman Who Drank Thai Iced Tea Daily For 10 Years Develops Nearly 50 Gallstones

A Thai woman has gone viral on social media after sharing her experience of undergoing multiple surgeries to remove nearly 50 gallstones, which she believes may be linked to her long-term habit of drinking Thai iced tea every day.

The woman took to Facebook to warn others about her condition after seeking medical treatment for persistent abdominal pain. She posted photographs of gallstones that had been removed during surgery, attracting widespread attention from netizens.

According to her post, she had consumed at least one glass of Thai iced tea daily for approximately 10 years. On some days, she drank two glasses and admitted that she rarely drank plain water during that period.

She explained that she eventually developed pain beneath the right side of her ribcage, prompting her to seek medical attention. Doctors later diagnosed her with gallstones and scheduled a series of operations to remove them.

Three Surgeries Required

The woman revealed that she had already undergone two surgeries and was preparing for a third procedure. While no photographs were taken during the first operation, images from the second surgery showed a significant number of gallstones that had been removed.

Doctors reportedly estimated that she had nearly 50 gallstones in total.

Her story quickly gained traction online, with many social media users expressing shock at the number of stones discovered and questioning whether drinking Thai iced tea could directly lead to the condition.

The post also sparked discussions about the importance of staying hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet.

Doctors Say Gallstones Have Multiple Causes

While the woman suspects that her daily Thai iced tea consumption contributed to the problem, medical experts generally caution against drawing conclusions from a single case.

Doctors say gallstones can develop due to a variety of factors, including genetics, diet, obesity, ageing, rapid weight loss and certain underlying medical conditions.

There is currently no conclusive evidence that drinking Thai iced tea alone directly causes gallstones. However, excessive consumption of sugary beverages may contribute to broader health concerns and could potentially increase health risks when combined with other lifestyle factors.

Health professionals advise individuals experiencing persistent abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right side of the abdomen, to seek medical evaluation as early diagnosis can help prevent complications.

Although the woman’s experience has generated widespread interest online, experts emphasise that gallstones are typically the result of multiple contributing factors rather than a single food or drink.