India, May 11 -- The pancreas is a vital gland in the upper abdomen that performs both exocrine and endocrine functions in the body. The pancreatic enzymes help in the breakdown of fat, protein and carbohydrates during digestion, while the pancreatic hormones help maintain blood sugar levels.

As such, the importance of keeping the pancreas healthy cannot be overstated. However, certain long-term habits increase metabolic and inflammatory stress on the organ and can lead to serious harm over time. Taking to Instagram on May 10, Dr Kunal Sood, a Maryland-based physician in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Medicine, pointed out five such habits, which are listed below.

Both sugary drinks and frequent snacking habits harm the pancreas...