The pancreas, an organ located at the back of the stomach, is about 12 to 20 cm in size and is an organ responsible for secreting hormones and digestive enzymes. In particular, hormones such as glucagon and insulin are secreted from α and β cells in the islet of Langerhans in the pancreas to regulate glucose metabolism through the production and suppression of sugar. When the function of the pancreas is reduced, abnormal secretion of hormones occurs due to abnormal endocrine function. In particular, abnormal secretion of insulin, the main hormone secreted by the pancreas, causes insulin resistance in each tissue of the body and, at the same time, causes diabetes mellitus due to an increase in blood sugar.
In addition, abnormal endocrine function of the pancreas causes the occurrence of related diseases such as pancreatitis and increases the risk of pancreatic cancer by acting as a factor in the formation of malignant tumors. In order to manage the pancreas in a healthy way, it is important to improve and change lifestyle habits such as diet control, alcohol consumption control, and smoking cessation. In particular, if you consume excessively high-fat and high-calorie foods over a long period of time, it is the main cause of inflammation including impaired secretion of digestive enzymes in the pancreas. It is important to consume them regularly. So today, let’s look at information about the various foods that have a beneficial effect on the pancreas and the foods that have a bad effect on the pancreas.
5 foods good for pancreas
1. Broccoli
In order to effectively manage the health of the pancreas and prevent various diseases related to the pancreas, regular consumption of broccoli is very helpful. The abundance of flavonoids in broccoli is known to help suppress the formation of cancer cells that cause pancreatic cancer. Besides broccoli, cabbage, one of the representative vegetables of the cruciferous family, is also known to be effective for pancreatic health. It is said that it can help improve the health of the pancreas and reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer due to the abundant vitamin U in cabbage, various components corresponding to A and B groups, and flavonols.
2. Garlic
Garlic, which is excellent for preventing various adult diseases and cancers with its excellent nutrients, is included in foods that are beneficial to the health of the pancreas. It is known that the complex action of various components such as various sulfur compounds and flavonoids and arginine contained in garlic helps to keep the pancreas tissue healthy.
There is also a study showing that people who consume garlic on a regular basis have a 54% reduction in the risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those who do not.
3. Sweet Potato
The glycemic index, also called the GI index, is a numerical measure of whether food is converted into glucose during the digestion process after ingestion and increases blood sugar levels. The higher the GI is, the more insulin is secreted through stimulation of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Since sweet potatoes are one of the representative foods with a low GI index, they are said to help improve organ function and protect the pancreas when consumed regularly. According to several studies published, there is also a result that if you eat sweet potatoes regularly, the incidence of pancreatic cancer can be reduced by 50%.
4. Spinach
Spinach, which is rich in various nutrients, is a vegetable that is effective in protecting the pancreas and helping to improve the function of the pancreas. In particular, spinach has a high content of luteolin, a flavone component, which is known to help suppress the formation of cancer cells, the cause of pancreatic cancer. It can be said that this effect is the reason that spinach is included in the main component of the diet for the treatment of various pancreatic-related diseases. Also, like spinach, green leafy vegetables such as kale and beetroot are also foods that reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer, so it is important to eat them evenly.
5. Hemp
Hemp is a sticky substance and has a high content of mucin, a type of glycoprotein. It is known that this mucin component protects the gastric mucosa and at the same time improves the digestion and absorption of protein smoothly, thus helping the health of the pancreas. Also, hemp has a high content of an enzyme called diastase that breaks down carbohydrates, and it is said that this digestive enzyme helps a lot in reducing the burden on the pancreas by promoting the smooth secretion of insulin. It is said that if possible, it is better to eat raw or slightly blanched, as the nutrients are destroyed when heated. If you are uncomfortable with the unique slippery texture of hemp, mix it with milk, yogurt, and honey and drink it in the form of juice.
Others
In addition to the foods listed above, dairy products such as cherries, mushrooms, beans, tomatoes, turmeric, and low-fat yogurt and milk are also included in foods that promote pancreatic health. In particular, various antioxidants contained in cherries are reported to help prevent pancreatic health and pancreatic cancer by reducing free radicals and other harmful substances that cause pancreatic dysfunction.
On the other hand, oily foods such as fried, fried, and stir-fried foods, as well as various processed foods, processed meat, and foods with high fat content, such as processed meat and instant foods, promote the secretion of digestive enzymes and bile, which puts a strain on the pancreas, so excessive intake is not recommended. It is not recommended to do so. In addition, it is important to control the intake of food that has been cooked with alcohol, coffee, and spices and salt added too much, as one of the factors that cause pancreatic dysfunction.
