Hemorrhoids or piles, those swollen blood vessels that form in and around the anus, often develop due to constipation. When you’re constipated, you have to strain to pass a bowel movement, putting pressure on your rectum that leads to hemorrhoid formation. As a result, reducing your risk for constipation can also reduce your risk for piles. And, according to new scientific evidence, there are two diets that can help you prevent constipation: the Mediterranean diet and a diet that is plant-based. Here’s what you need to know.

The Science of How to Prevent Constipation with Diet

Researchers from Harvard and Mass General Brigham reviewed several long-term studies that analyzed the bowel and dietary habits of 96,000 adults. After comparing the Mediterranean diet, a plant-based diet, a low-carb diet, and diets high in red meat, saturated fats, sugar and processed food, they found some interesting results. According to findings published in the journal Gastroenterology, following the Mediterranea diet reduced your constipation risk by 16%. Following a plant-based diet helped reduce your risk by 20%. As such, researchers were able to conclude that, in order to prevent constipation, you should do more than just increase your fiber intake. In fact, they noted that eating more vegetables (especially tomatoes, and leafy greens) along with nuts and healthy fats could help keep you regular. In turn, that could lower your risk for developing both external and internal hemorrhoids.

When Diet Alone is Not Enough

Reducing hemorrhoid risk factors such as constipation can help protect you from hemorrhoids. But when you already have hemorrhoids, along with symptoms such as discomfort, itching and bleeding when you pass a bowel movement, a diet to prevent constipation will not help you find relief. At that stage, medical intervention may be necessary. So we invite you to learn more about HAE, a minimally invasive procedure that treats grade 2-3 internal hemorrhoids with minimal side effects and without overnight hospital stays. To see if you’re a candidate, contact our team to request a consultation at one of our three Georgia Endovascular locations.