Based on PubMed | Does eating chicken increase the risk of gallbladder cancer?

Eating chicken is not known to increase the risk of gallbladder cancer. Current medical guidance lists gallstones, older age, female sex, certain infections, obesity, and chronic gallbladder inflammation as the major risks; specific evidence linking poultry (like chicken) to gallbladder cancer is lacking. ^{[1] [2]}

What we know about gallbladder cancer risk

• Gallstones are the strongest known risk factor for gallbladder cancer. ^[3]
• Other established risks include being age 70 or older, female sex, certain ethnic/geographic backgrounds, porcelain gallbladder (heavy calcium deposits in the gallbladder wall), chronic inflammation, and infections such as repeated Salmonella (typhoid) exposure. ^{[4] [5]}
• Obesity is commonly present among people who develop gallbladder cancer, and dietary patterns characterized by high carbohydrates and low fiber are noted in many of these individuals. ^{[2] [5]}
• Health organizations emphasize that there is no confirmed way to prevent gallbladder cancer, reinforcing the focus on known risks rather than unproven dietary links. ^[1]

Diet and gallbladder cancer: what the evidence suggests

• Large clinical and patient‑education resources highlight general dietary patterns (e.g., high‑carbohydrate, low‑fiber diets) in people with gallbladder cancer, rather than implicating specific meats like chicken. ^{[2] [5]}
• Some case‑control studies in high‑risk regions have associated higher intake of fried foods and certain lifestyle factors (e.g., tobacco use, environmental exposures) with greater risk, but they do not single out poultry as a cause. These studies suggest that how food is prepared (for example, deep‑frying) and overall diet quality may matter more than the specific choice of lean meats such as chicken. ^{[6] [7]}

How chicken fits into a balanced eating pattern

• Skinless chicken is a source of lean protein and can fit into eating patterns that support a healthy weight, which is important because excess body weight is linked with higher gallbladder cancer risk. ^{[2] [1]}
• Choosing cooking methods that reduce added fats and charring such as baking, poaching, steaming, or stir‑frying helps limit inflammation‑related exposures and keeps total calories in check. ^[1]
• Emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains (fiber), legumes, and healthy fats alongside lean proteins like chicken supports overall metabolic health and may lower risks associated with obesity and chronic inflammation. ^{[2] [1]}

Practical tips if you’re concerned about risk

• Maintain a healthy weight through balanced eating and regular physical activity, as obesity is associated with increased gallbladder cancer risk. ^{[2] [1]}
• Favor higher‑fiber foods and limit refined carbohydrates to improve bile composition and metabolic health. ^[2]
• Limit frequent deep‑fried foods, which have been associated with higher gallbladder cancer risk in regional case‑control data. ^[6]
• Manage gallstones and biliary symptoms promptly gallstones are the leading risk factor. ^[3]
• Discuss personal risk factors (family history, prior biliary disease, infections) with your clinician for tailored advice. ^{[4] [1]}

Bottom line

Based on current medical knowledge, there is no evidence that eating chicken specifically increases gallbladder cancer risk, whereas factors like gallstones, age, sex, obesity, certain infections, and chronic inflammation are more clearly linked. ^{[3] [1] [2] [5]}