The pancreas is a gland located deep in your abdomen that plays a significant role in the digestive process. The endocrine section of your pancreas produces and secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon into your bloodstream. These hormones regulate your blood sugar levels. The exocrine, or outer section of your pancreas produces and transports enzyme chemicals to your digestive system to aid in the absorption of nutrients from food. Pancreatic disorders can occur due to heredity or unhealthy lifestyle habits like excessive alcohol use. However, eating nutritious foods can improve your digestive process and promote healthy pancreatic functions.
Whole Grains
Foods like whole grains help your pancreas by providing essential nutrients like the B-vitamins and minerals such as iron. This is especially important in the case of pancreatitis, inflammation of the gland that inhibits the proper absorption of nutrients. Whole grain options include wheat bread or pasta, bran cereal, brown rice and oatmeal. Choose whole grains over refined white grains for the nutritive value as well as less additives from sugar, sodium and fat.
Cruciferous Vegetables
A diet high in daily vegetable servings may protect your pancreas from cancer development, according to Elizabeth Holly, PhD with the University of California San Francisco. Preliminary studies from UCSF researchers found a 50-percent reduction of cancer risk associated with five or more daily servings of vegetables. Not all vegetables serve the protective purpose, but cruciferous varieties may inhibit cancer formation. Broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, greens and radishes are amongst the cruciferous vegetables. These foods have sulfur compounds, antioxidants to fight harmful molecules and various vitamins and minerals important for digestion and overall bodily functions.
Fruit
Fresh fruit is nutrient- and antioxidant-rich to help protect your pancreas. It also serves to supply your body with natural sugars that convert to glucose in your bloodstream. In the event of inadequate pancreas hormone secretions, this helps your body maintain a steady level of glucose energy instead of rapid sugar spikes followed by a crash. Blueberries, cherries, strawberries and citrus are pancreas-healthy fruits to add to your daily diet.
Foods to Limit
A 2007 study by Jaroslaw Walkowiak et al. published in the "British Journal of Nutrition" explored the role of fatty meat in the diet and its inhibitory effect on pancreatic enzyme secretions. The result of the study found positive changes in pancreatic enzyme output with the exclusion of meat, but ongoing research is needed to determine the exact cause for this result. Replace fatty meats with baked, skinless poultry or fish to limit your unhealthy fat consumption, which may contribute to digestive problems. In the event of pancreatitis, avoid red meats, processed white grains and fried foods to minimize inflammation of the gland.
References
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: The Pancreas
- University of California San Francisco; High Vegetable Diet Linked to Protection Against Pancreatic Cancer; Elizabeth A. Holly, PhD; Sept. 15, 2005
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Pancreatitis
- Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: Nutrition and Pancreatic Cancer Risk
- British Journal of Nutrition; The Elimination of Meat From the Diet Selectively Decreases Pancreatic Elastase Secretion; Jaroslaw Walkowiak et al; 2007
- Linus Pauling Institute: Cruciferous Vegetables
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