16 Superfoods to Eat to Prevent Hemorrhoids

Dealing with hemorrhoids is painful and can be somewhat embarrassing. However, it is quite a common condition, and quite treatable in most cases.

Often, hemorrhoids are temporary due to extra pressure in the area- from issues like pregnancy, constipation, or other temporary conditions. For some people, however, it can be difficult to stop hemorrhoids from reoccurring on a regular basis.

If you are one of the unlucky people who suffer from recurring hemorrhoids, you may want to cut down on your chances of suffering from hemorrhoids again by adding these hemorrhoid superfoods to your diet. These foods have ingredients that are particularly helpful in preventing hemorrhoids.

The Real Cause of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the rectum. The veins are always present, but they flare-up when extra pressure is placed on the area. This can happen for two reasons- 1- extra stress on the area from conditions like sitting for too long, pregnancy, constipation, or engaging in certain active sports. 2- weak veins that leak fluid into surrounding tissues.

You can prevent hemorrhoids by resolving both of these issues. Luckily, there are many foods that are quite effective at eliminating both of these problems!

The Best Superfoods for Hemorrhoids

Carrots

Carrots contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is effective in reducing inflammation. Carrots also have antioxidants, which help improve the health of the veins and work to reduce total inflammation in the body. Carrots contain both vitamin C and vitamin K, two vitamins that work to improve vein health. In fact, a 2007 study published in the Journal of Vascular Research found that vitamin K levels were lower in individuals with varicose veins. Since hemorrhoids are essentially external varicose veins, the same ingredients that will prevent varicose veins from forming will also reduce your risk of hemorrhoids.

Blueberries and Bilberry

Both blueberries and bilberry are almost equally effective in strengthening vein health and preventing the development of hemorrhoids. Blueberries and bilberry are quite similar and have many of the same benefits. Both blueberries and bilberries contain anthocyanins, which neutralize enzymes that destroy connective tissue. Blueberries and bilberries contain nutrients that repair damaged proteins in blood vessels and other nutrients that provide additional benefit to the vascular system.

Avocado

This little green vegetable is surprisingly healthy for the body and hemorrhoids. Avocados have large concentrations of vitamin C and E, which are both essential for healthy veins. Avocados also contain glutathione, which is one of the best antioxidants available in food sources. Glutathione is also necessary for vitamin E and C to work effectively.

Oats and Buckwheat

Buckwheat and oats contain rutin, which is a flavonoid that promotes vascular health. Some studies have suggested that low levels of rutin in the diet could increase a person’s chances of having varicose veins or hemorrhoids. Oats and buckwheat also contain all eight essential amino acids needed for tissue repair, and fiber that can help prevent binding.

Ginger

Ginger is a highly effective food that has a variety of benefits, from fighting inflammation to settling an upset stomach. Ginger benefits vein health by dissolving fibrin in blood vessels and by improving circulation. Fibrin causes veins to become hard and may contribute to hemorrhoid outbreaks. Raw ginger is the most effective at controlling inflammation and vein health.

Asparagus

Asparagus contains nutrients that work to strengthen veins and prevent them from rupturing. Since hemorrhoids can be somewhat prone to rupturing, adding asparagus to your diet can help prevent this from occurring. You may also want to try eating asparagus if you are experiencing an outbreak to reduce the pain and swelling in the area.

Beets

Beets are often a neglected food, because of their strange flavor, but beets pack a variety of powerful hemorrhoid-fighting ingredients. The main ingredient in beets that help prevent hemorrhoids is betacyanin. Betacyanin works to reduce levels of homocysteine in the blood, which is an amino acid that damages blood vessels.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain several of the most beneficial nutrients for hemorrhoids. Tomatoes contain rutin, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and the antioxidant lycopene, which is one of the most effective antioxidants.

Cucumbers

The somewhat flavorless cucumber is surprisingly beneficial in fighting hemorrhoids. It contains several of the nutrients needed to prevent hemorrhoids and fight weak veins. Cucumbers contain vitamin C, the somewhat elusive vitamin K, a variety of beneficial minerals, and fiber, which can help prevent constipation. Cucumbers also contain high levels of anti-inflammatory ingredients. Leafy Greens Dark leafy greens, like spinach, kale, and dark lettuce contain a wide variety of nutrients that can help prevent hemorrhoids. Some of the most beneficial ingredients in greens include antioxidants, vitamin C, and vitamin K.

Oysters

Oysters are high in the mineral zinc, which is helpful in keeping veins healthy and hemorrhoids away. A single serving of oysters (100 grams) contains over 500 percent of the daily recommended intake of zinc.

Try Fermenting Vegetables

Vitamin K is a vital nutrient that many individuals are lacking in, mainly because we eat far fewer fermented foods today than in decades past. According to a 2014 study published in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, vitamin K2 is essential for the health of blood vessels as well as many other areas of the body. However, there are few food sources of vitamin K2 in the modern diet.

Although many meats have vitamin K2, the commercialization of these foods dramatically lowers the K2 content in these foods, contributing to a lack of vitamin K2 overall. Luckily, there is a way to increase the vitamin K2 content in food- which is through fermenting. Fermenting vegetables creates a reaction between bacteria and enzymes that increases the vitamin K2 content of any vegetable.

Other Steps to Prevent Hemorrhoids

Diet alone will definitely help prevent hemorrhoid flare-ups, but may not stop them entirely. If you want to cure the problem once and for all, try employing some of these other steps:

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess strain and weight can aggravate hemorrhoids. Pregnant women often suffer from this condition more due to the excess weight and pressure placed on the area during pregnancy, during birth, and immediately after birth. However, individuals who are overweight may also be more likely to suffer from the condition due to extra pressure placed on the area. Eating a healthy diet can help drop unnecessary pounds that contribute to strain on the area and can lead to more frequent flare-ups.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise can help keep the digestive system regular, which can prevent hemorrhoid flare-ups. However, heavy lifting exercise can make hemorrhoids worse. If you suffer from frequent hemorrhoid outbreaks you may have the best results when you avoid heavy lifting exercises in favor of less-straining exercises, such as jogging or yoga. Exercise also can help maintain a healthy weight and promote circulation, all of which are beneficial in preventing hemorrhoids.

Don’t Avoid the Bathroom

Suppressing the urge to go can actually make the problem worse. You may not want to have a bowel movement if you have recurring hemorrhoids, but suppressing the urge will only make it more painful later. If you feel the urge to go, listen to your body and try to head for a bathroom as soon as possible.

Try Hemorrhoid-Fighting Supplements

A few supplements have been linked with a reduction in hemorrhoid pain and swelling. Some of the most beneficial supplements include:

Horse chestnut: According to New York University, horse chestnut may be an effective supplement in preventing hemorrhoid pain. One study found that supplementing with horse chestnut daily was able to objectively reduce pain, swelling, and itching in hemorrhoid patients within 2 weeks.

Butcher’s broom: Butcher’s broom may be another effective supplement in hemorrhoid relief. No studies have been conducted directly on the effectiveness of butcher’s broom for hemorrhoids, however, according to New York University, studies have been conducted on butcher’s broom as vein therapy, and it was shown to improve vein health-which will also benefit hemorrhoids.

Cascara sagrada: Cascara sagrada is a natural laxative that can be effective at lessening pain and constipation during a hemorrhoid outbreak. Studies show that cascara promotes faster, softer bowel movements because it triggers the body to eliminate stool before the intestines have time to remove excess water from the stool.

Keep Things Regular

Constipation is one of the worst hemorrhoid triggers. Constipation places more strain on the area, which leads to more pain and bigger hemorrhoids. Keeping things regular will help prevent bowel strain. You can promote a healthy digestive system with some of the following tips:

Drink water: Dehydration can lead to constipation, which will result in painful flare-ups.

Get enough fiber: In a healthy person, fiber will help move things along in the colon and prevent constipation. However, if you suffer from frequent constipation, adding extra fiber may make things more painful, instead.

You Can Prevent Hemorrhoids

Preventing hemorrhoid flare-ups is possible with the right combination of foods and lifestyle choices. Even if you suffer from hemorrhoids frequently, a variety of healthy foods, supplements, and lifestyle choices can reverse the painful swelling and help you live a pain-free life. For best results- both in the short term and the long term- follow all of the steps outlined above to become a healthier, happier you!