8 Foods That Are Perfect For A Healthy Pancreas
One of the most intricate and essential parts of the human body is the digestive tract. Starting in your mouth when the food enters your body, it extends all the way down through the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. The food then leaves the body, having been processed and extracted of its nutrients.
There are also several other organs that keep this process running smoothly, one of them being the pancreas. It is responsible for neutralizing and regulating acidic food, doing so by using enzymes, which also help the body digest proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids present in the food we eat. The pancreas is also responsible for producing insulin and maintaining blood glucose levels.
A healthy pancreas means a strong digestive system, and there are a few things you can do to ensure that it stays that way. This includes eating foods that are good for them. Keep reading to find out what they are!
1. Turmeric
Coming from the ginger family, turmeric is available in fresh and powdered forms. Providing a bright yellow hue, it is used to flavor and color various dishes around the world, being especially prominent in Asian and Indian food.
But the use of turmeric in places like India isn’t just for its flavor. It is touted for its various health benefits, like pain relief thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Similarly, it may help relieve sensations of burning in the pancreas, as well as help it produce insulin, which will aid in the regulation of blood sugar levels and the prevention of diabetes.
2. Garlic
Garlic isn’t just good for warding off vampires, but also several very human ailments like indigestion, infections, obesity, diabetes, etc.
Garlic is one ingredient that almost all cuisines around the world love, and that’s thanks to its flavor. But it also makes digestion a smoother process, boosts your immune system, and maintains the health of several organs, including the pancreas. Furthermore, it contains antibiotic properties, which are in turn boosted when combined with certain other foods like onion, honey, and fenugreek, to name a few.
3. Spinach
Being a rich source of iron and Vitamin B, spinach is another great addition to your diet for pancreatic health. Vitamin B nourishes the organ while iron helps reduce inflammation. Spinach also contains an abundance of MCDG, known for providing natural protection against the risk of pancreatic cancer, and fighting cancer cells.
Spinach can be enjoyed in a number of ways, from salads and tarts to pasta and soups. Stirfry it with some garlic and onions, pair it with some rice, and you’ve got a healthy weeknight meal ready to go!
4. Broccoli
Cruciferous vegetables, a group of diverse vegetables such as cabbage, kale, cauliflower and of course, broccoli, are touted for their cancer-fighting abilities. They can also contribute to the overall health and wellbeing of your pancreas. Such vegetables are also full of flavonoids, antioxidants essential for the cleansing of the human body.
5. Grapes
Red grapes are another fruit that you can add into your daily diet if you’re concerned about pancreatic health. This is mainly due to their content of a powerful antioxidant substance called resveratrol. Not only does this reduce inflammation, but it may also even help get rid of cancerous cells in the pancreas.
You can have a handful of raw red grapes as a light and healthy snack every day, or add them to your breakfast routine.
6. Sweet Potatoes
You might have heard that certain foods that resemble some of our internal organs can actually be good for the organ they look like. For instance, celery for bones, tomatoes for the heart, walnuts for your brain, etc. Following this theory, sweet potatoes, that look a lot like your pancreas, can provide a lot of benefit for them.
But this theory has much more to provide than just appearance. There is actually scientific evidence that eating sweet potatoes may help reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer by up to 50%! Sweet potatoes are also low on the glycemic index, which means they are suitable for diabetics as they slow down the release of sugar into your bloodstream.
7. Oregano
Several of the issues arising in your pancreas may be attributed to oxidization. This is something that can be counteracted with the use of oregano in your diet. The herb doesn’t just provide a wonderful aroma to your food, but also an antioxidant effect that contributes to the overall health of your body. Furthermore, oregano is also anti-hyperglycemic, which makes it perfect for the pancreas.
8. Dandelion
Detoxification of the body is a very important process. And while the human body is equipped to handle the task on its own, there’s nothing wrong with giving it a helping hand now and then.
For instance, regular consumption of dandelion tea can aid in the cleansing of the liver and pancreas. Furthermore, it removes damaged tissue and helps in the production of bile juice in the pancreas. Certain studies have also suggested that dandelion root may be effective in fighting cancerous cells (without actually damaging the noncancerous cells).