Bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, an organ directly attached to the liver. The gallbladder sends bile through the common bile duct to the duodenum, the first and shortest section making up the small intestine.

How is bile formed?

Bile is formed by filtration in response to osmotic gradients created by the transport of osmotically active solutes into the bile canalicular lumen. Water and small solutes enter the biliary space passively via solvent drag (514).

What helps to produce bile?

Bitter foods are great at stimulating bile production. You can choose from all dark green leafy vegetables, as well as beetroot, artichokes and pickles. Drinks such as roasted dandelion root tea, lemon tea, celery juice and coffee all stimulate bile production.