Pancreas under pressure: Everyday foods that could be harming you
The pancreas is responsible for two key functions in our body: the production of enzymes necessary for digestion and the secretion of hormones that control blood glucose levels. To enable it to function at its best, it is advisable to eliminate or limit certain ingredients in your daily diet. Few people know that even raw fruits and vegetables can burden the pancreas.
3:11 PM EDT, June 15, 2024
Alcohol and smoking
Frequent alcohol consumption harms not only the liver but also gradually destroys the pancreas. This is especially important for people struggling with pancreatic issues and patients suffering from diabetes to remember. High-alcohol beverages are one of the main reasons for problems with this organ. Statistics show that constant alcohol consumption is responsible for up to 90% of pancreatitis cases. It is also worth noting that smoking cigarettes can contribute to chronic or acute pancreatitis.
Raw fruits and vegetables - be careful not to overdo it
While raw fruits and vegetables are considered very healthy products, in some instances, they can be harmful. In many cases, it is an individual issue. If consuming even a tiny amount of raw fruits or vegetables causes bloating and other digestive problems, it is better to opt for steamed vegetables. Such ailments should also prompt us to visit a gastroenterologist.
Heavily processed meat products can be harmful
Too much meat, mainly processed and fried, negatively affects the pancreas and increases the risk of inflammation of this organ. Frying meat causes compounds with carcinogenic properties to form. Regular consumption of heavily processed products certainly will not improve health. Canned meats, pâté, and sausages raise cholesterol levels in the blood, so healthy individuals and patients with pancreatic problems should avoid them.
Excessive sugar always harms
Excess sugar in the diet increases the risk of overweight and obesity and serious illnesses, including pancreatic and intestinal disorders. Sugar lurks in our diet in many forms. It is important to remember that the so-called white death hides not only in the sugar bowl but also in sweets and other food products. Besides refined sugar in food and drinks, there is also a harmful substitute—glucose-fructose syrup.
Fried and fatty dishes? Better to avoid those
Consuming fatty, fried, and hard-to-digest dishes certainly will not bring health benefits. Fatty meals significantly burden our bodies. Such food raises bad LDL cholesterol in the blood, leads to fatty liver disease, and burdens the pancreas. A much healthier alternative is baked dishes without added fat or steamed dishes.
Do you spread butter on your bread? Do it less often
The pancreas does not like popular additions to salads or dishes—we are talking, of course, about cream and mayonnaise. A good way to spare this organ is to limit spreading bread with fat, such as butter or margarine.
