What foods irritate the pancreas

Pancreatic cancer is one of the scariest for doctors. The reason is that it usually does not give symptoms, until it is in an advanced stage. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose in its earliest stages, the most common being that when symptoms appear it is already quite advanced. Therefore, there are no clear symptoms that indicate the presence of pancreatic cancer at an early stage. On many occasions it is diagnosed by chance by performing an imaging test for another reason.

Therefore, it is essential to try to prevent this pathology. The diet has a lot to say. In fact, a healthy diet reduces the risk of suffering from this disease. Instead, consuming certain foods can increase it.

What is the relationship between what we eat and the pancreas?

The exocrine function of the pancreas is vital in the digestive system, since it is responsible for digestion, mainly of fats, through the secretion of pancreatic enzymes in the intestine. On the other hand, the endocrine function of the pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, which causes glucose to pass into our tissues. Taking this into account, excesses in the diet and increased fat consumption will influence the damage that occurs in the pancreas in the long term.

What foods are good for the pancreas?

As we said at the beginning, diet can reduce the risk of suffering from diseases related to this organ. A healthy, balanced diet should be followed, with the consumption of fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. Do not abusing prepared or pre-cooked foods, trying to eat as homemade and natural as possible.

Which are the worst for the pancreas and why?

Saturated fats and processed foods. Patients should also take into account the presence of harmful chemicals in processed foods, as well as the consumption of alcoholic beverages, which is one of the main aggressors of pancreatic tissue.

It is also important to eat foods that are as natural as possible. For example, in the case of cereals, you must avoid refined ones, since they may be forcing the pancreas. This is the case of bread, rice or white pasta.

It is also recommended to consume sugary soft drinks and industrial pastries and jelly beans in moderation.

Can a bad diet increase the risk of pancreatic cancer?

Indeed, a diet rich in saturated fats and smoked and processed meats has been postulated as a risk factor for pancreatic cancer in many studies. In addition, obese and overweight people are at greater risk of suffering from this disease. On the other hand, it should be noted that tobacco is one of the main factors for the development of this tumor.

How does pancreatic cancer face?

When pancreatic cancer is in an initial stage, it often does not produce symptoms, being one of the causes of the poor prognosis of this cancer. In other words, when it is detected, it is often already at an advanced stage, although with technological advances in imaging tests and the ease of access to them, these tumors are increasingly being detected at earlier stages.

However, When this cancer produces symptoms, they are usually non-specific, the most frequent being fatigue, abdominal pain and weight loss, with or without jaundice (yellowing of the skin and soft eyes). In these cases, you must make an appointment with your doctor to assess the possibility of performing the necessary tests to confirm or rule out the diagnosis.