What is bile and where is it produced?

Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.

Bile is a complex fluid containing water, electrolytes and a battery of organic molecules including bile acids, cholesterol, phospholipids and bilirubin that flows through the biliary tract into the small intestine. It is produced continuously by the liver, the largest internal organ in the human body. The liver synthesises bile from cholesterol and other metabolites, and then secretes it into the bile ducts. From there, it is stored and concentrated in the gallbladder until it is needed for digestion.

Bile plays a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats. When you eat a meal that contains fat, the gallbladder contracts and releases stored bile into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. The bile acids in bile emulsify the fat droplets, breaking them down into smaller particles that can be more easily digested by the enzymes in the small intestine. This process is essential for the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Bile also helps in the excretion of waste products from the body. Bilirubin, a waste product resulting from the breakdown of red blood cells, is eliminated from the body through bile. The liver processes bilirubin and other waste products, and these are then incorporated into bile and excreted in the faeces.

In summary, bile is a vital digestive fluid that is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It plays a key role in the digestion and absorption of fats, as well as the excretion of waste products from the body.