Are Potatoes Good or Bad for Hemorrhoids? Understanding the Effects

December 15, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a diet high in fiber can significantly help treat and prevent hemorrhoids. Potatoes, particularly when the skin is included, can contribute positively to this fiber intake, but their effect depends heavily on preparation method and overall diet.

Quick Summary

Potatoes can be beneficial for hemorrhoids due to their fiber content and resistant starch, which improves digestion and softens stool. However, the preparation method is crucial, with baked or boiled potatoes being healthier than fried versions. Topical application is discouraged and not medically supported.

Key Points

Eat Potatoes Baked or Boiled with Skin: The potato's skin contains insoluble fiber that adds bulk to stool, preventing constipation.
Cook and Cool to Boost Resistant Starch: Chilling cooked potatoes increases their resistant starch content, which acts as a prebiotic to improve gut health and bowel regularity.
Avoid Fried Potatoes: Unhealthy preparation methods like frying add excess fat and salt, which can worsen constipation and inflammation, aggravating hemorrhoid symptoms.
Never Apply Potatoes Topically: Applying raw or frozen potatoes to hemorrhoids is not medically supported and carries the risk of infection and irritation.
Combine with Ample Hydration: The fiber in potatoes is most effective when paired with adequate fluid intake to keep stools soft and easy to pass.
Prioritize High-Fiber Whole Foods: Integrate potatoes into a broader diet rich in other fiber sources like legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables for the best results.

Potatoes and Digestive Health

Potatoes are a staple in many diets worldwide, valued for their versatility and nutritional content. When considering their impact on hemorrhoids, it's important to look at key nutritional components, primarily fiber and resistant starch. A diet rich in fiber is a cornerstone of hemorrhoid prevention and management, as it helps prevent constipation and straining during bowel movements, two major culprits behind flare-ups.

The Fiber Factor

One medium-sized baked potato with the skin on can provide a significant amount of dietary fiber, including both soluble and insoluble types. Insoluble fiber, concentrated in the potato's skin, adds bulk to stool, which helps move waste through the digestive system more efficiently. Soluble fiber, on the other hand, absorbs water to form a gel-like substance that softens stool, making it easier to pass without strain. For this reason, consuming potatoes with their skin is recommended to maximize the fiber benefit.

The Role of Resistant Starch

Beyond fiber, cooked and cooled potatoes contain resistant starch. This special type of carbohydrate resists digestion in the small intestine and ferments in the large intestine, where it feeds beneficial gut bacteria. The fermentation process produces short-chain fatty acids, like butyrate, which can have anti-inflammatory effects and promote overall gut health. By supporting a healthy gut microbiome and improving intestinal function, resistant starch can help regulate bowel movements and further reduce the risk of constipation. To maximize the resistant starch content, cook the potatoes and then refrigerate them before eating. Reheating them will not reverse the resistant starch formation.

Why Preparation Matters

How potatoes are cooked directly impacts their health benefits for hemorrhoid sufferers. Fried potatoes, such as french fries and potato chips, are often low in fiber and high in unhealthy fats and sodium, which can contribute to constipation and increase inflammation. Conversely, healthier cooking methods preserve the potato's beneficial fiber and resistant starch, making them a good dietary choice.

Good Preparation Methods: Baking, boiling, steaming, and roasting with the skin on are the best ways to prepare potatoes for digestive health. For example, a baked potato with the skin is an excellent source of fiber.
Bad Preparation Methods: Deep-frying or preparing potatoes with excessive salt, butter, or cheese can negate the health benefits and potentially worsen hemorrhoid symptoms.

The Risks of Unproven Topical Remedies

Despite the benefits of eating potatoes, some folk remedies suggest applying raw or frozen potato slices topically to the affected area. Medical professionals and health organizations have explicitly warned against this practice. There is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of this method, and it poses several risks:

Lack of Sterility: Raw or frozen potatoes are not sterile and can introduce bacteria into the sensitive anal area, potentially leading to infection.
Irritation: The acidity and enzymes in potatoes could cause irritation, burning, or a worsening of inflammation, contradicting the supposed soothing effect.
Delaying Proper Care: Relying on unproven home remedies can delay a person from seeking medically appropriate treatment for persistent or severe hemorrhoids.

Comparison of Potato Preparation Methods


Preparation Method	Key Benefits	Potential Drawbacks	Impact on Hemorrhoids
Baked/Boiled (with skin)	High in fiber, good source of resistant starch (when cooled).	High heat can reduce some nutrients.	Positive: Promotes regular, soft bowel movements and gut health.
Mashed (peeled)	Soft and easy to digest, with some fiber.	Most fiber is removed with the skin; lower nutritional value than whole.	Neutral to Positive: Still easy to digest, but less beneficial than skin-on versions.
French Fries/Fried	Palatable; readily available.	High in fat, sodium, and low in fiber; pro-inflammatory.	Negative: Can worsen constipation and inflammation, aggravating hemorrhoids.

Conclusion

Potatoes are beneficial for hemorrhoids, not bad, provided they are prepared healthfully and incorporated into a balanced, high-fiber diet. Their rich content of fiber and resistant starch, particularly when the skin is consumed, helps prevent the constipation and straining that are primary causes of hemorrhoid flare-ups. However, it is crucial to avoid unhealthy preparation methods like frying, which can exacerbate symptoms. Furthermore, relying on unproven topical potato remedies is unsafe and not medically recommended. For persistent or severe hemorrhoid symptoms, consulting a healthcare professional is the most prudent course of action.

Get more detailed information on resistant starch and gut health here(https://www.csiro.au/en/research/health-medical/nutrition/Resistant-starch).

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, fried potatoes are generally bad for hemorrhoids. They are often low in fiber and high in fat and sodium, which can contribute to constipation and increase inflammation, worsening hemorrhoid symptoms.

No, applying a potato topically to hemorrhoids is not a medically proven remedy. It is not sterile and can cause irritation or infection in the sensitive anal area.

Yes, the skin of a potato is beneficial for hemorrhoids as it contains insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to stool and helps with bowel regularity, easing the need to strain during bowel movements.

The resistant starch found in cooked and cooled potatoes acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria. This improves intestinal function and can soften stool, thereby helping to alleviate constipation.

Both sweet and white potatoes can be beneficial, especially when eaten with the skin on. Sweet potatoes offer a good amount of fiber, while white potatoes contain resistant starch when cooked and cooled. A varied diet including both is best.

The best cooking methods are baking, boiling, steaming, or roasting, particularly with the skin left on. Eating cooked potatoes cold after refrigeration also increases the beneficial resistant starch.

When prepared poorly (e.g., fried) and consumed as part of a low-fiber, low-fluid diet, potatoes can contribute to constipation. However, when properly prepared with the skin, they are a good source of fiber and aid digestion.