10 Foods That Help Heal The Pancreas

Illustration orig. – © joshya, fotolia.com (under license).

Note – we have been advised to state that the information in this article is not applicable to type 1 diabetics. If you have type 1 diabetes please consult your doctor before making dietary changes. Located just below the stomach, the pancreas plays an important role in the human body – keeping our blood sugar levels at normal levels. When blood sugar becomes too high, it affects other parts of our body, slowing our healing and damaging our blood vessels. This is why problems with the pancreas often translate to type 2 diabetes, a condition where the body is unable to control the amount of glucose circulating in the bloodstream.

Because the pancreas is very easily damaged by an unhealthy diet, there are certain food items that you can include in your meals and snacks to boost its health. Scientific studies have indicated that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is inversely associated with pancreatic cancer (reduces risk).

1. Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables out on the market. Rich in antioxidants and a substance called sulforaphane, broccoli is able to reduce serum cholesterol, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress – all contributing factors to pancreatic damage. ^[1] Another study in 2012 was able to prove that broccoli supplementation significantly reduced levels of serum insulin concentration among diabetic patients. ^[2]

2. Garlic

Garlic is not only good for cardiovascular health, it is also an excellent food item that has anti-hyperglycemic and lipid-lowering properties – properties that improve the glycemic control and pancreatic health. In a 2013 study, garlic capsules (with and without metformin intake) was able to improve fasting blood glucose levels. ^[3]

3. Red Grapes

The next time you make a salad, think of adding some red grapes! Red grapes have high levels of polyphenols and resveratrol, two substances that improve carbohydrate metabolism in the body and glucose transport into the cells. They are able to effectively moderate the insulin sensitivity of the pancreas. ^[4][5]

4. Blueberries And Cherries

Despite popular belief that fruit intake increases blood sugar levels and is bad for people affected by diabetics, it is actually the opposite! A 2014 Finnish study revealed that intake of berries, in particular, was able to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. ^[6] This can be attributed to the anti-inflammatory properties of berries, which reduces vascular damage to the pancreas caused by diabetes. ^[7]

5. Red Reishi Mushrooms

Used in traditional Asian medicine for hundreds of years, the red reishi mushroom was a popular choice among royalty and the upper class to manage a variety of ailments. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it may be able to prevent the inflammation of pancreatic tissue which can lead to cancer. ^[8]

6. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are not only a good source of much need carbs, they also are thought to have significant benefits for pancreatic health. An astonishing study published in 2000 revealed that sweet potato intake was able to regranulate pancreatic islet B-cells, which are responsible for insulin production. ^[9]

7. Tomato / Tomato Soup

One of the biggest lifestyle contributors in preventing pancreatic cancer is the intake of fruit and vegetables. Tomatoes are very high in lycopene, which is regarded as a potent cancer-fighting agent able to reduce your risk for pancreatic cancer. ^[10]

8. Spinach

A substance found in spinach called MGDG (monogalactosyl diacylglycerol) is a potent cancer-fighting substance because it inhibits DNA replication in cancer cells. A 2013 study revealed that it was able to slow the growth of cancer cells in the pancreas, as well as promote cancer cell death or apoptosis. Note that this was an in vitro study and the bioavailability of the spinach compound after digestion was not ascertained. ^[11]

9. Tofu

Protein malnutrition is one of the most dangerous effects of pancreatic cancer. To build up protein without causing damage to other parts of the body can be tricky. Tofu is a good source of much needed protein without the harmful effects of having too much meat in the diet.

10. Natural Yogurt

Natural yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, with the additional benefits of probiotics which help prevent infections and boost the body’s immune system. This is one of the most natural ways to protect the pancreas and prevent damage to the pancreatic tissue.