Diet to Cure Piles

Piles, more commonly known as hemorrhoids, are bulging veins that are located in your anus or rectum. The National Center for Biotechnology Information states that hemorrhoids are particularly common in pregnant women and in women who have just given birth. Pain and itchiness are among the most common symptoms associated with hemorrhoids. Diet and nutrition may help treat your hemorrhoids, although you should always clear the use of nutritional therapies with your physician first.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are an exceedingly common health problem. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that approximately 75 percent of Americans develop hemorrhoids at some point in their lives, and that people between the ages of 45 and 65 are most commonly affected by this health problem. In addition to pain, discomfort and itching, possible signs and symptoms associated with hemorrhoids include blood in your stool and tender lumps near your anus.

A Helpful Diet

A helpful diet for hemorrhoids, notes naturopathic physicians Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno, co-authors of "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine," includes plenty of high-complex-carbohydrate foods that are rich in dietary fiber, such as wheat bran, broccoli and green beans. Other foods that may be particularly helpful in addressing this health problem include flavonoid-rich foods such as blackberries, citrus fruits, cherries and blueberries. Flavonoids are a type of plant pigment known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action. Flavonoid-rich foods help improve the strength and integrity of your vein structures.

Highlighted Food

Blueberries may be a helpful food in treating your hemorrhoids. Blueberries are one of the richest dietary sources of flavonoids, including quercetin, cyanidin and malvidin. According to horticulturist Jennifer Trehane, author of "Blueberries, Cranberries and Other Vacciniums," blueberries have historically been used in treating hemorrhoids, water retention in your legs, varicose veins and bruising. The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council states that blueberries contain significant amounts of vitamin C, which helps promote connective tissue formation, healthy gums and blood vessels.

Considerations

Hemorrhoids, though not a life-threatening health problem, may lead to several serious health complications, including blood clots and severe bleeding. If you develop the common signs and symptoms associated with this condition, report to your family physician to be properly evaluated and diagnosed. Your doctor can counsel you on relevant allopathic and complementary alternative therapies to help resolve your problem. A larger body of scientific research evidence may be needed to examine the true effectiveness of some foods traditionally used in treating hemorrhoids.