Hemorrhoids are characterized by swollen veins that surround your anus and rectum. They may be inside your colon, or they may protrude from your anus. Hemorrhoids may be caused by chronic constipation, pregnancy, obesity, lack of dietary fiber or heavy lifting, according to Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Although diet cannot cure hemorrhoids, avoiding certain foods may help alleviate pain and rectal itching associated with this condition.
Salty Foods
Salty foods, such as potato chips, french fries, pretzels, packaged peanuts and buttered popcorn may worsen pain associated with hemorrhoids, according to Don Barone, author of "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies." The sodium in salt can raise your blood pressure, causing the veins in your rectum and anus to bulge. This can cause intense discomfort during sitting or bowel movements.
Strong Spices
Strong spices may increase discomfort caused by hemorrhoids, according to Barone. Spices such as ginger, jalapenos, habaneros, clove, garlic and Indian curries may increase itching of your rectum and anus, although the reason is unknown. However, these spices do not cause hemorrhoids or worsen the bulging of blood vessels.
Saturated Fats
Saturated fats, found in pork, beef, dark-meat chicken and lamb, may aggravate hemorrhoids, according to Balch. They may restrict blood flow through the blood vessels of your anus and rectum, causing them to bulge and producing pain. Animal products are also difficult to digest and result in hard stools that are difficult to pass through your intestinal tract. This may increase strain during elimination, which puts pressure on rectal blood vessels.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.; 2010
- "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies"; Don Barone; 2003
