Food for Piles: Cure Piles Naturally with Food

November 6, 2023

Piles, also known as hemorrhoids, is a painful disease. In this condition, the swollen blood vessels around the rectum and anus will stretch under pressure. This may happen for a number of reasons, such as a low-fibre diet, constipation, pregnancy, or even lifting heavy items. The most common cause of piles is sitting in one place for a long time, especially in the toilet. This causes blood to pool in your legs and lower body, putting pressure on your colon.

Piles or haemorrhoids can be both internal and external, and it is possible to have both types of piles at the same time. Internal hemorrhoids develop inside the rectum and rarely cause discomfort. The symptoms of internal piles can be pain, itching, swelling, and bleeding. External piles develop around the anus and can be quite harmful compared to internal piles. It is important to know the symptoms of external piles to cure them before they reach a dangerous condition. One of the common symptoms is bleeding, and itching, pain, or swelling around the anus may be experienced.

The development of piles depends on many factors, but the food you eat and your lifestyle are the two most important factors. A fibre-rich diet and other nutrition can help prevent the cause of hemorrhoids. If you do not consume an adequate amount of fibre-rich food in your daily diet, then it may lead to constipation or hard stools, which is the main reason for the development of piles.

There are many pile-treatment foods that can help deal with hemorrhoids. It is essential to include the right foods in your diet, and it is important to know which foods you should include and which you should avoid because certain foods can worsen your symptoms or even cause hemorrhoids.

Fiber-rich foods fall into the good category of foods that help increase stool volume, prevent constipation, and promote proper bowel movements, which directly contribute to preventing and treating hemorrhoids. Let us now shed light on both bad and good foods for piles.

Best food to treat and prevent piles

Piles are a painful condition that affects both men and women. To prevent or treat this painful condition, you can take advantage of the below-mentioned foods:

Legumes

These foods are high in fibre and antioxidants, which help flush out toxins from the body and improve your digestive health. Legumes help prevent constipation, which is the most common reason for the development of piles. Eating lentils, peas, soybeans, peanuts, and broad beans increases blood flow, bulks up your stool, and reduces other symptoms associated with piles.

Whole grains

Whole grains are one of the best fibre foods for piles. Whole grains, like brown rice, quinoa, barley, oats, and whole wheat, are high in fibre and nutrients, which help soften tools, prevent strain during bowel movements, and reduce the risk of developing piles. Eating whole grains on a daily basis can also aid in maintaining a healthy blood sugar level.

Fruits

Fruits like apples, bananas, grapes, and oranges are rich sources of fibre, vitamins, and minerals that help improve digestion, promote smooth bowel movements, and reduce the symptoms associated with piles. Always remember not to eat fruits without peeling them, as some essential nutrients and minerals are hidden in their peels.

Root vegetables

Root vegetables like turnips, beets, rutabaga, carrots, sweet potatoes, and potatoes are known for having an immense amount of fibre. They can help improve your digestion and prevent the onset of piles by keeping your gut healthy.

Bell pepper

Eating bell peppers proves to be effective in treating or preventing piles, as they contain high amounts of fibre and 93% water. This helps to pass your stool easier and prevent straining. Including this wonderful food in your daily diet can reduce the risk of piles or other types of anal bleeding.

Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables

Cabbage, kale (leaf cabbage), broccoli, arugula, and Brussels sprouts are known to be the best foods for piles. Cruciferous vegetables contain a substance called glucosinolates, a natural chemical found in these vegetables that can kill the harmful bacteria that cause haemorrhoids to flare up.

Squash

Squash vegetables add colour to your plates and provide an immense amount of fibre for your body. Squash like pumpkin, yellow squash, butternut squash, and zucchini also contain many essential nutrients to maintain healthy digestion. So, if you are suffering from symptoms like constipation and diarrhoea, which are common symptoms of piles, squash can help treat them.

Food to Avoid in Pile

Low-fibre food items may worsen your symptoms of existing piles or even be the cause of piles. Therefore, if you are suffering from piles or have any symptoms, you should avoid low-fibre foods. Here are some foods to avoid in piles:

White flourcontains a very high amount of carbohydrates, which can cause constipation, which is a common reason for developing piles. White bread, pasta, momos, and bagels are made from white flour; you should avoid eating them.

Dairy products: foods like milk, cheese, and other heavy cream products should be avoided. These foods lead to constipation and cramps in the stomach, which flare up the disease. Yoghurt contains probiotics, which are the food for prebiotics (good bacteria) and thus can be consumed.

Caffeinated beverages: Foods like coffee and tea are low in fibre and may increase the pain and make it harder to pass stool. People with piles should avoid having these beverages.

Alcohol: People with piles are recommended not to consume alcohol; it makes your condition worse. Alcohol makes you dehydrated and dries up your stools.

Spicy food can increase blood flow to the rectal area and cause inflammation and pain. To avoid discomfort and digestive problems after eating spicy foods, it is better to avoid or limit the intake.

Processed meat: These processed meats are very low in fibre and have high sodium. Consuming less processed meat in piles is best.

In short, eating healthy foods (rich in fibre) is the best way to prevent or treat piles. Consuming the foods mentioned above will help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with piles. If your symptoms don't improve or worsen, you can try Ayurvedic medicine for piles to get relief. However, before starting any medication, make sure to check with your healthcare provider to make sure it's safe and suitable for you.

You do not need to follow any special diet or fancy diet plan for piles. Just make sure you include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans, and try to avoid dairy products, spicy foods, wheat flour, caffeine, meat, eggs, and fish.