Hemorrhoids occur in about one in every 20 people in the United States. More than half of adults over the age of 50 have this painful condition.
More serious cases of hemorrhoids may require haemoband intervention, but the condition only often requires treatment that prevents it from getting worse. Lifestyle changes help, and certain food choices can lessen the severity of this condition. Here’s what you should include in your diet if you have hemorrhoids:
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Researchers at the National Institute of Health recommend individuals with hemorrhoids to eat food high in fiber, which can help prevent them from developing diarrhea or constipation. Fiber-rich food includes fresh fruits and vegetables. You can never go wrong with freshly harvested and, ideally, organic plant foods.
Make sure to keep the skin on in apples, plums, and pears because this is where the insoluble fiber is. Insoluble fiber, or the “roughage,” does not dissolve, so it helps keep things moving through and out of your system.
Flavonoids, which help control hemorrhoid bleeding, are also found in the thin skin of fruits, as well as in brightly colored produce such as grapes, berries, tomatoes, kale and other dark, leafy vegetables. Avoid damaging the skins or leaves of these produce until you are ready to eat them. Also, avoid cooking to a point the color fades.
Grains
Whole-grain flour, stone-ground cornmeal, and buckwheat are rich in insoluble fiber, so eat these instead of white bread, crackers, and pasta. Cooked oats and barleys also give you a good amount of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves in the water, and it helps make your stool soft and easy to pass. This can prevent constipation and irritation that can worsen hemorrhoids.
Beans, Nuts, and Lentils
Eating legumes can help cover the recommended amount of fiber you need to consume per day, so make sure to include them in your diet. A half cup of kidney or black beans contains between 7 and 10 grams of fiber. Eating 20 almonds or pecans can also give you around 3 grams of fiber. You can easily incorporate them into your diet. Add or substitute meat for beans and nuts in your soups and salads.
Water
“Drink at least eight glasses of water every day,” as the common saying goes. Water is technically not food, but you need to consume plenty of it if you want to alleviate the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking as much water as you can, but if you cannot, find a substitute. You can also supplement your fluid intake with fruit juices and clear broths.
Hemorrhoids are a common condition, particularly among adults. They can occur in people with constipation or straining issues, pregnant women, those who have just given birth, overweight individuals, people who do a lot of heavy lifting, and those with a family history of the condition. If you have been suffering from this condition, remember that your diet can help. Make sure to consume fiber-rich food such as fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts, and lentils to alleviate the symptoms.
