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Drinks in pancreatitis: what can and cannot be?
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Drinks, like food, are very important for inflammation of the pancreas. The lion's share of the success of treatment and normal well-being in the future depends on the correct diet, in which there is no place for all drinks. They can both help the diseased organ and harm. Which ones can and cannot be used for pancreatitis?
Kvass for pancreatitis
Many people love this drink for its ability to quench thirst in the heat, its excellent taste, which gives energy and restores efficiency. In addition, it is the basis of some summer dishes, for example, our favorite okroshka. There are many different recipes for its preparation, including popular bread, dried fruit, medicinal herbs, berry, fruit, ginger, with the addition of honey. Each of them is useful in its own way, contains various vitamins and minerals.
However, with pancreatitis, kvass is undesirable not only in the acute phase of the disease, but also during remission. This is explained by the fact that the organic acids in its composition increase the activity of pancreatic enzymes that eat up the cells of their own organ, increase bile secretion, and the alcohol formed during its fermentation also negatively affects the tissues of the gland. Carbon dioxide present in the drink provokes bloating.
Soda for pancreatitis
Alkalis, which include soda, are known to neutralize acids. In the case of pancreatitis, this property will serve as a good means of reducing acidity, increasing the body's alkaline reserves, and restoring the acid-base balance.
There are even folk methods of treating pancreatic pathology and other diseases using sodium bicarbonate. In pharmacies, you can buy special soda for this or use regular baking soda.
Treatment begins with a minimum dose of one fifth of a teaspoon, dissolved in 200 ml of warm boiled water. Drink on an empty stomach in the morning, at other times of the day 30-40 minutes before meals. If there is no negative reaction, gradually increase the dose, bringing it to a teaspoon.
The duration of the course is individual, it is better to consult a specialist about this. In any case, you should not "hang out" for a long time.
Kombucha for pancreatitis
There was a time when Kombucha stood in a jar on the window in almost every apartment, it was carefully looked after, neighbors and friends were given it. It gained such popularity due to its invigorating pleasant taste, reminiscent of kvass. In fact, it is a symbiosis of bacteria and yeast, outwardly resembling a jellyfish.
The liquid it contains is rich in many vitamins, including almost all of group B, calcium, iodine, zinc, and carotenoids. The drink is a powerful antioxidant and antibiotic. However, in the case of pancreatitis, it should be drunk with extreme caution, only in the absence of exacerbation and in small doses, since it contains a lot of sugar, alcohol, and it increases the activity of pancreatic enzymes.
Kissel for pancreatitis
Kissels are the most beneficial drink for pancreatic pathologies. It coats the stomach, inhibiting the secretion of gastric juice, thus protecting the cells of the inflamed organ, improving the intestinal microflora, and accelerating metabolism. This is a nutritious and at the same time low-calorie dish, one of the few that is indicated even in the acute phase of the disease.
The most useful drinks include oatmeal, flaxseed, and milk. Berry drinks from blueberries, raspberries, apricots, and apple (sweet summer varieties) are consumed after the inflammation has subsided.
Compotes for pancreatitis
In case of pancreatitis, the term "compote" should only mean a freshly prepared drink from various permitted fruits and berries; all canned, homemade or purchased products are excluded.
Compote preserves many substances useful for the body. It cleanses it of toxins, increases the protective reserve, accelerates metabolism, improves the functions of the digestive system.
However, sour varieties should not be used for its preparation, especially since neutralizing acid with sugar is harmful to the gland. The best option would be dried fruit compote. Blueberries, plums, peaches, and raspberries are suitable from fresh berries.
Is it possible to drink rose hips if you have pancreatitis?
Rosehip decoction is recommended literally from the very first days of an attack of pancreatitis. At first, it is prepared in a very weak concentration (100 g of dry berries per liter of water), drunk warm in small sips, 100 g at a time 3-4 times a day, then gradually increase the saturation. For preparation, it is convenient to use a thermos, where the berries are placed and filled with hot water, but not boiling water.
It is useful because it reduces pain, strengthens the immune system, blood vessels, increases hemoglobin, restores strength, tones, and saturates with the necessary components, which it contains in abundance.
Ginger drinks for pancreatitis
Ginger root has a large number of useful ingredients: vitamins A, C, PP, group B. It contains proteins, complex carbohydrates, organic acids, including nicotinic acid, which participates in many oxidation-reduction processes, trace elements, essential oils.
Unfortunately, ginger irritates the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, increasing the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, which can cause an exacerbation of the pathology. Only ginger tea is allowed during the onset of stable remission.
It is prepared by pouring a teaspoon of fresh grated or dried root with a glass of warm water and boiling over low heat for 10 minutes. Then the drink is covered with a tight lid and left to brew. Drink warm, you can add honey.
Protein for pancreatitis
There is a need to use protein shakes to increase muscle mass. Athletes most often face this. What should those diagnosed with pancreatitis do?
Acute pathology excludes its use. Chronic inflammatory process allows taking it, but under strict medical supervision. In this case, protein, like other proteins, helps to calm down inflammation and heal the mucous membrane, if only limited to small portions and diluted not with milk, but with plain water.
Cocoa for pancreatitis
Cocoa has many positive aspects, its composition is rich in carbohydrates, fats, proteins, tannins. Caffeine has a tonic effect. It lifts the mood, relieves nervous tension, stimulates brain activity, but it cannot be called a dietary product. Especially since it is prepared with milk, with the addition of sugar.
In case of pancreatitis, it is better to exclude it from your diet. The drink is allowed only a few months after the exacerbation, the concentration of cocoa powder should be minimal, as well as sugar, and milk should be low-fat.
Hibiscus for pancreatitis
In the heat, a drink made from hibiscus, a southern plant whose flower petals are dried to make so-called red tea, is a good tonic, relaxes, and invigorates. It has a pleasant sour taste and is useful because it strengthens the walls of blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, accelerates metabolic processes, and mobilizes the body's defenses.
Its negative effects on the pancreas include its ability to stimulate the production of gastric and pancreatic juices. However, the absence of exacerbation allows you to occasionally drink a cup of tasty drink.
Morse for pancreatitis
Mors are mixes of berry juices, water, sweetened with sugar or honey. Their value is that the berries in this drink are not heat treated and, thus, all the valuable qualities of fresh berries are preserved.
In case of pancreatitis, fruit drinks should be prepared from such berries as cranberries, lingonberries, strawberries, blueberries, and instead of sugar, use a bee product. Wild berries are excellent antioxidants, you can also use garden berries that are included in the permitted ones.
Acute manifestations of the disease exclude fruit drink from the menu, but a stable chronic condition allows you to indulge in it.