10 Foods That Help In Healing The Pancreas And Maintaining Its Health

The pancreas secretes essential enzymes and hormones that are needed to sustain important biological functions, including your metabolism. The importance of this organ becomes even more evident when one struggles with pancreatic disorders such as diabetes, which can slowly but steadily damage various organs if left untreated or managed poorly.

Thus, keeping the pancreas healthy can’t be stressed enough. There are many ways to do so, but the most important one is perhaps getting your diet in order. This article discusses the role of the pancreas in the body and the food items that can help heal this vital organ.

# Leafy green vegetables

Leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale contain vitamin K, which is shown to reduce tissue inflammation.

Studies have also shown a link between the consumption of dark green leafy vegetables and a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer.

# Purple-skin fruits

Purple-skin fruits such as blueberries and red grapes contain anthocyanins. One of many antioxidant flavonoids found in the skin of fruits, anthocyanins can have beneficial effects on blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity.

# Turmeric root

Turmeric root, part of the ginger root family, is the yellow-orange spice common in Indian food. Its bioactive compound curcumin can help reduce inflammation.

Studies have shown that curcumin can decrease the incidence of developing diabetes from prediabetes, decrease inflammation in pancreatitis, and inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer.

# Licorice root

Licorice root has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine for treating digestive ailments as well as bacterial and viral infections.

It is also known to curb cellular inflammation involving neutrophils in acute pancreatitis and may prove beneficial in pancreatic cancer management.

# Probiotics

Probiotics are live cultures of bacteria and yeast. Foods with live cultures such as Greek yogurt, sauerkraut, and kefir protect the digestive tract by improving the microbiome.

It has been studied that an imbalance in the gut microbiome caused by an overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria (a dysbiosis) can manifest itself as pancreatic disorders. Yogurt is one of the best dietary sources of good bacteria that can help fix this imbalance and restore a healthy gut environment.

Consuming 3 servings of low-fat or fat-free yogurt that contains active probiotic cultures can facilitate easier digestion, protect the pancreas, and improve the overall digestive system.

# Cruciferous vegetables

Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, contain the flavonoids apigenin and luteolin and sulfur-containing compounds that provide the bitter flavor.

These flavonoids and compounds also possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which studies have shown may help prevent cell damage and reduce inflammation markers.

# Sweet potato (batatas)

Sweet potato (or batatas) is considered a valuable medicinal plant due to its antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties.

In a recent study, white sweet potato exhibited antihyperglycemic effects by inducing pancreatic cell regeneration and improving insulin resistance.

# Garlic

Garlic and its sulfur-containing compounds offer many benefits including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Studies also show that it can reduce toxicity of the pancreas.

# Reishi mushrooms

Reishi mushrooms are strong anti-inflammatory and prebiotic agents. Studies have shown that the digested carbohydrate in this kind of mushroom inhibits pancreatitis through microbiota regulation.

# Ginger

Ginger is an anti-inflammatory herb that also improves the biochemical parameters for type 2 diabetes, including lowered glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and improved insulin resistance and sensitivit