There is no guaranteed way to prevent piles (haemorrhoids), but a high-fibre diet will keep your stools (faeces) soft, reducing your risk of becoming constipated (when you are unable to empty your bowels). This will ensure that you avoid straining to pass a stool, which is the main cause of haemorrhoids.
It is also recommended that you empty your bowels when you need to. If you delay passing your stool, it could become harder and drier. This increases the likelihood of pressure building up in the blood vessels in your anus (the opening at the end of the digestive system where solid waste leaves the body) and rectum (the storage area that holds the stools).
Possible ways to prevent haemorrhoids include:
- eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day)
- cutting down on fat (particularly fat in meat, sugary food and refined and processed food)
- eating plenty of pulses, such as peas, beans and lentils
- eating plenty of wholegrain foods, such as wholemeal bread, pasta and breakfast cereals
- drinking plenty of fluid. You should drink 1-2 litres (six to eight glasses) of water every day to keep your stools soft
- drinking alcohol only in moderation
- losing weight if you need to. Being overweight can be a contributing factor to having haemorrhoids (see the Healthy weight calculator to find out if you are a healthy weight for your height)
- exercising regularly, which can prevent constipation, reduce the pressure in your blood vessels and help you lose weight
- avoiding medication that causes constipation, such as painkillers that contain codeine
Fibre
If you already have haemorrhoids, eating a high-fibre diet can help ease your symptoms.
Fibre, also known as roughage, is found in plant foods, such as:
- fruit
- vegetables
- cereals
- nuts
- seeds
A diet too low in fibre can cause constipation because the waste material is too hard. This can lead to other problems such as:
- appendicitis, which causes inflammation (redness and swelling) of the appendix (a small pocket in the abdomen with no known purpose)
- diverticular disease, when small pouches form that stick out of the side of the large intestine (colon) and cause pain
Dietary fibre acts like a sponge, absorbing water to increase the bulk and softness of stools. This ensures that they are eliminated easily from the body. If you increase your intake of fibre, it is also important that you increase your fluid intake.
Gradually increase the amount of fibre you eat, as your digestive system will need time to adapt. If you introduce too much fibre into your diet too quickly, you may experience:
- bloating
- constipation
- excessive wind (flatulence)
- pain
