Is Pork Bad for Hemorrhoids? An Evidence-Based Guide

Hemorrhoids are extremely common, affecting nearly 75% of adults at some point in their lives. These swollen veins in the rectum and anus can cause symptoms like itching bleeding and pain. While hemorrhoids sometimes clear up on their own, making diet and lifestyle changes can help provide relief. But when it comes to food, is pork off-limits for hemorrhoid sufferers?

In this article we’ll analyze the evidence on pork’s effects on hemorrhoids. We’ll also provide tips for preparing pork and suggest some alternative protein options if pork seems to aggravate your symptoms.

What Causes Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids occur when the veins around the anus or lower rectum become swollen and inflamed. This happens when there’s excessive pressure in those veins. Potential causes include:

Constipation and straining during bowel movements
Sitting for long periods
Obesity
Pregnancy
Heavy lifting
Chronic coughing
Diarrhea
A low-fiber diet

While hemorrhoids sometimes go away on their own, making diet and lifestyle changes can help relieve the uncomfortable symptoms.

Does Pork Cause or Worsen Hemorrhoids?

There’s no evidence that eating pork directly causes hemorrhoids. However, some qualities of pork may potentially irritate existing hemorrhoids or make symptoms like constipation worse:

Low Fiber Content Pork lacks the fiber found in plant foods that helps prevent straining during bowel movements. Insufficient fiber intake is linked to constipation, a primary cause of hemorrhoids.
High Sodium Content: Processed pork products like ham, bacon, and lunch meats are very high in sodium. Excess sodium can cause water retention and exacerbate hemorrhoid swelling and discomfort.
Fat Content: Fattier cuts of pork take longer to digest and may cause stools to be harder and more difficult to pass. This can worsen constipation and irritation.

So while pork doesn’t directly cause hemorrhoids, choosing the right pork cuts and preparations may help minimize aggravating symptoms.

Tips for Enjoying Pork With Hemorrhoids

If you don’t want to fully eliminate pork from your diet, here are some tips to help prevent hemorrhoid symptoms:

Choose Lean Cuts: Opt for leaner pork options like tenderloin, Canadian bacon, bone-in chops, and roast. Avoid fatty ribs and sausage.
Limit Processed Pork: Minimize bacon, ham, smoked pork, and deli meats with added sodium.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water and non-caffeinated fluids daily to help soften stools.
Increase Fiber: Eat high-fiber plant foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds to prevent constipation.
Monitor Portions: Be mindful of overdoing it on portion sizes, which can contribute to GI discomfort.
Avoid Greasy Cooking Methods: Grilling, roasting, baking, or poaching pork is preferable over frying in oil, which makes it harder to digest.
Choose Your Spices Wisely: Black pepper, ginger, and cayenne may irritate hemorrhoids. Opt for anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric instead.

Making these adjustments to how you select, prepare and consume pork can help keep hemorrhoid aggravation at bay. But if your symptoms still act up, limiting or avoiding pork for a period may be beneficial.

Healthier Protein Alternatives to Pork

If you find you’re still having issues after modifying your pork intake, consider swapping it for other lean protein options. Here are some hemorrhoid-friendly ideas:

Boneless, skinless chicken or turkey breast
Fish like salmon, tuna, halibut and cod
Eggs and egg whites
Tofu and edamame
Whey protein powder
Lentils, beans, chickpeas, quinoa
Nuts like almonds, walnuts and pistachios

These options provide plenty of protein while avoiding some of pork’s drawbacks. Be sure to drink lots of fluids and eat ample produce like fruits, vegetables and whole grains to help maintain soft, regular stools.

Best Foods to Help Relieve Hemorrhoid Symptoms

Adjusting your entire diet to get more fiber and fluid can help with hemorrhoid management. Here are some of the top foods to incorporate:

High Fiber Foods

Fruits: prunes, pears, berries, figs, kiwis
Vegetables: artichokes, green peas, broccoli, sweet potatoes
Whole grains: oats, quinoa, wild rice, whole wheat pasta
Nuts and seeds: almonds, pistachios, chia seeds
Legumes: lentils, beans, split peas

Hydrating Foods and Beverages

Water, herbal tea, vegetable juice
Lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, celery
Melons, grapes, oranges, pineapples
Broths and soups

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Olive oil, coconut oil, avocados
Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel
Nuts like walnuts and almonds
Tomatoes, leafy greens, berries
Turmeric, ginger, garlic, cinnamon

Making dietary adjustments are key to both treating and preventing hemorrhoid issues. Pay attention to how your body responds and avoid any foods that seem to aggravate your specific symptoms.

When to See a Doctor About Hemorrhoids

While home treatment and over-the-counter medications can help provide relief for mild hemorrhoids, make sure to consult your doctor if:

Symptoms don’t improve after 1 week of home treatment
You experience severe pain or rectal bleeding
Hemorrhoids frequently recur
You have signs of an external thrombosis hemorrhoid (extremely painful lump)
Hemorrhoid symptoms interfere with daily life

For more severe hemorrhoid cases, prescription medications, minimally invasive procedures, and even surgery may be necessary. But early intervention with diet changes, hydration, fiber supplements, and OTC remedies can help manage symptoms for many people.

The Bottom Line

While pork itself doesn’t cause hemorrhoids, choosing lean cuts and preparing pork mindfully can help prevent aggravating symptoms. Increased fiber, fluid intake, and anti-inflammatory foods are key to improving hemorrhoid discomfort through dietary changes.

If pork seems to worsen hemorrhoid issues despite your best efforts, limit intake or try swapping it for other lean proteins. Pay attention to your body’s signals to figure out which diet choices provide the most hemorrhoid relief.

References

Harvard Health Publishing. (2022). 6 self-help tips for hemorrhoid flare-ups. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/6-self-help-tips-for-hemorrhoid-flare-ups
Penn Medicine. (2022). Hemorrhoids. https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2017/october/hemorrhoids
The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. (2021). Hemorrhoids (Piles). https://www.fascrs.org/patients/disease-condition/hemorrhoids-expanded-version
Healthline. (2022). How to get rid of hemorrhoids: Home treatment and remedies. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-hemorrhoids
Tidy, C. (2021). Hemorrhoids. Patient. https://patient.info/digestive-health/rectal-and-anal-disorders/piles-haemorrhoids
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. (2021). I have hemorrhoids. Now what? https://www.lghealth.org/library/cardiovascular-health/i-have-hemorrhoids-now-what
MedlinePlus. (2022). Hemorrhoids. https://medlineplus.gov/hemorrhoids.html
Singh, B., et al (2022). Hemorrhoids. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551714/
Mayo Clinic. (2022). Hemorrhoids. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/symptoms-causes/syc-20360268

Is eating Pork good for Piles? Dr Maran busts the popular myth that pork cures piles.

FAQ

What kind of meat is bad for hemorrhoids?

Eating a lot of food that’s low in fiber (like red meat, dairy products, and baked goods with white flour) increases your risk of constipation. Constipation may cause you to strain with bowel movements, creating hemorrhoids or making existing hemorrhoids worse.

Is pig meat good for piles?

Is pork good for piles? Ans. Pork meat is extremely fatty and oily meat. Consuming fatty meat may ease your flow of bowel movements, making it less likely for you to strain.

Can I eat bacon with hemorrhoids?

Foods to Avoid for Hemorrhoid Patients Meat and processed meat products like sausages, ham, bacon, bologna, and other processed meats. Fried foods, which are high in fats and can be difficult to digest. Spicy foods, as they may cause irritation for people with hemorrhoids.

What’s the worst thing for hemorrhoids?

Foods to avoid Low-fiber foods that can cause or worsen constipation and lead to hemorrhoids include: Milk, cheese, ice cream, and other dairy foods. Meat. Processed foods such as sandwich meat, pizza, frozen meals, and other fast foods.

Can you eat processed meat if you have a hemorrhoid flare?

Processed meats are a type of ultra-processed foods that have been linked to a higher risk of cancer, high cholesterol, and heart disease. In general, you should limit how much processed meats you eat. But if you have hemorrhoid flare, you have to be particularly careful in avoiding them.

Why is pork not recommended to eat?

This is not true, some cuts like sirloin and pork rump steak, for example, are very healthy, even healthier than beef and chicken. Only the fattest cuts like bacon and crackling should be avoided.

What foods irritate hemorrhoids?

– **Dairy Products**: Milk, cheese, and other dairy items may contribute to constipation, which can worsen hemorrhoids. – **Processed Meat**: Processed meats like sandwich meat, pizza, and frozen meals

Can spicy food cause hemorrhoids?

Spicy foods contain capsaicin, which may not be completely digested by your intestines. As the leftover spice leaves your body in stool, it will pass over your swollen hemorrhoids and may worsen burning and pain. Many people with hemorrhoids also develop anal fissures, which are small tears in your anal canal.