The prostate gland is one of the male reproductive organs that lies just below the urinary bladder and right in front of the rectum. It appears like a walnut in young men and may increase in size with their advancing age. It primarily secretes an alkaline fluid that gets mixed with semen to further help nourish and protect the sperms and carry them out of the penis via ejaculation at the time of sexual activity.
Some men may get old and experience an increase in the size of their prostate- a condition called Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate. This type of prostrate concern is most common in men aged above 50 years.
While there is no definite cause understood for enlarged prostate, some possible reasons could be aging, inflammation, hormonal fluctuations in older men, and fibrosis. It has been discovered that diet can have a noticeable effect on the symptoms of BPH. Some foods can help reduce the risk of developing an enlarged prostate and even reduce the severity of the symptoms and some can aggravate the problem. By knowing the main culprits behind the worsening of prostate health, men can manage their symptoms much better. Read on to know what foods to avoid eating that can have a big influence on prostate health and increase the risk of developing BPH. Also, get to know which foods can help ease the symptoms. But before jumping onto that let’s understand the connection between diet and enlarged prostate. [1, 2, 4]
Diet and Enlarged Prostate
The prostate gland is controlled by male sex hormones called testosterone which can get converted to another hormone called Dihydrotestosterone (DTH). High DHT levels can enlarge the prostate cells.
Researchers have found that certain foods and drinks can affect the levels of testosterone and DHT, thereby increasing the risk of prostate enlargement. [4]
Worst Foods/Nutrients for an Enlarged Prostate
1. High-Glycemic Carbs
These are sugary foods and refined carbohydrates such as white flour, white rice, and refined cereals which can result in a rapid and large elevation in blood sugar levels and insulin. Consumption of processed sugars can generally increase the risk of inflammation of body tissues, thereby resulting in inflammation of the prostate and even prostate enlargement. [1, 2]
2. Dairy
Dairy products have abundant inflammatory chemicals and saturated fats that can aggravate enlarged prostate symptoms. So cutting out the consumption of dairy products like cheese, milk, and butter may help reduce the BPH symptoms. It’s recommended to switch to dairy-free alternatives such as soy milk, coconut milk, and almond milk [1, 2, 4]
3. Caffeinated Beverages
Caffeine is present in coffee, tea, fizzy drinks, and energy drinks. It has a diuretic effect, meaning it can raise the amount, frequency, and urge of a person to urinate. As men with enlarged prostates find it hard to empty their urinary bladder, excess consumption of caffeine will only worsen this problem. Therefore, men with BPH are advised to have caffeine-free drinks like chamomile tea. Water is vital to keep the body well-hydrated in men having enlarged prostates. But, one must not consume any drink at least 2 hours before bedtime. [1, 24]
4. Alcohol
Men having enlarged prostate can worsen their condition if they do not avoid drinking alcohol or at least minimize their intake. That’s because excess alcohol intake can exacerbate the inflammation inside the prostate gland and even relax the urinary tract muscles which can increase the need to pass urine more frequently. Additionally, alcohol acts as a diuretic, it can dehydrate the body and reduce the magnesium stored in the body- all of which contribute to more severe urinary symptoms. [1]
5. Salty Foods
Intake of foods rich in sodium can increase the symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) which are typical of enlarged prostate. However, such men can reduce these symptoms by avoiding the intake of processed foods and not sprinkling salt over prepared meals. [2]
6. Spicy Foods
Consumption of spicy foods, chilies, and hot peppers can mildly irritate the urinary bladder and prostate gland. As a result, urinary symptoms associated with BPH like the urge to urinate more often can show up. [1, 2]
7. Excess of saturated fats
Daily intake of saturated fats or animal fats like those found in dairy products and fatty meat products like red meat is not good for prostate health. The problem with red meat is that it can increase the levels of arachidonic acid within the body that in turn could increase inflammation which is not right for enlarged prostate. Researchers believe that going red meat-free can significantly reduce the risk of prostate enlargement in men.[1, 2, 4]
8. Eggs and Poultry
Eggs and chicken when eaten in moderation are nutritious but not so if taken in excess with prostate health in mind. BPH symptoms tend to increase because egg yolk contains arachidonic acid, thereby leading to inflammation. [1, 2]
Foods that Help Preserve Good Prostate Health and are the Right Choice for Enlarged Prostate:
Broadly speaking, better prostate health can be maintained by daily intake of an anti-inflammatory diet including fresh fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins, and whole grains. To keep the prostate healthy and lower the risk of BPH symptoms, here are the top specific foods to eat to improve enlarged prostate symptoms.
- Seeds: Pumpkin seeds (having phytosterols) and Sesame seeds (rich in zinc) can be essential to the health of the prostate as it is thought to balance to help balance testosterone and dihydrotestosterone.
- Nuts: Cashew nuts, peanuts, pine nuts, and almonds are abundant in zinc, a mineral having an anti-inflammatory effect proven to be beneficial for an enlarged prostate.
- Fish: Salmon, sardines, and trout are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids- healthy fats have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Fruits: Particularly, citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C and may inhibit the growth of prostate cells and keep prostate enlargement at bay.
- Vegetables: Vitamins and minerals-loaded vegetables can reduce the chance of developing an enlarged prostate. Good options include tomatoes and green leafy vegetables like kale and broccoli that contain a lot of antioxidants.
- Tofu (soy isoflavones): Researchers suggest that it can reduce the symptoms of BPH. [1, 2]
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VitaPost Prostate Plus is a natural dietary supplement loaded with vitamins, minerals, and some herbal extracts that claim to support prostate health, urinary health, and healthy urine flow. It is composed of a broad range of traditional and modern ingredients.
The key ingredients include Vitamin E, Saw Palmetto, Green Tea Extract, Cat’s Claw, Nettle, and Pygeum Africanum. Taking 2 capsules daily before a meal with a glass of water can help the best support the prostate nutritionally. [5]
References:
- https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/enlarged-prostate/worst-foods-for-an-enlarged-prostate/
- https://drruscio.com/10-worst-foods-for-prostate-health/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/enlarged-prostate-diet#sesame-seeds
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321079
- https://www.prostateplus.net/
