Enlarged Prostate Diet: Foods to Keep You Healthy

Updated on January 22nd, 2020
enlarged prostate diet

The prostate gland is a small walnut-shaped organ located just behind the urinary bladder in men. Sometimes as men grow older and due to some other complications, the prostate gland starts growing in size. This condition is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. Research shows that certain food and beverages affect the gland and the hormones produced by it.

Hence, a regulated diet can reduce the risk of an enlarged prostate and also treat it. Mentioned below are some foods for enlarged prostate diet.

Did you know?

More than 47,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year – that’s 129 men every day.

Foods for Enlarged prostate

1. Salmon

benefits of salmon
Image:ShutterStock

Why does this work?

Salmon is rich in omega 3 fatty acids which helps fight inflammation and also reduces the risk of obesity due to an enlarged prostate(1). Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in other food products like walnuts, chia seeds, canola oil, etc.

How to eat and how much?

You can eat salmon or some other cold-water fish like sardines. Try to eat them in some form at least once a day to reduce an enlarged prostate.

[Read: Prevent Prostate Cancer Naturally]

2. Berries

Why does this work?

Various berries like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries are all rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties which keep the body healthy and greatly reduces the risk of enlarged prostate condition.

How to eat and how much?

They can be eaten directly in the raw form or can be put in a salad with other fruits. You can also make a smoothie but try not to put extra sugar with them. Try to drink at least one glass of smoothie or 7-8 pieces of fresh berries in a day.

3. Tomatoes

Tomatoe benefits
Image:ShutterStock

Why does this work?

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that keeps the prostate in a healthy condition. Tomatoes also have some anti-inflammatory properties to regulate the enlarged prostate.

How to eat and how much?

You can drink tomato soup and juice regularly. You can also put them in salad and vegetables. Try to at least one dish with tomatoes every day.

[Read: Treat Blue Balls Effectively]

4. Broccoli

Why does this work?

A diet rich in broccoli keeps the risk of prostate cancer away due to the presence of a chemical called sulforaphane. Other leafy vegetables like cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, etc. also contain the same chemical which targets the cancer cells.

How to eat and how much?

Try to eat one leafy vegetable or broccoli specifically once a day. You can also put it in a salad.

[Read: Fabulous Health Benefits of Broccoli]

5. Nuts

Benefits of Nuts
Image:ShutterStock

Why does this work?

Nuts are rich in zinc which balances the pH evel in the prostate gland and also regulates the hormone testosterone.

How to eat and how much?

Nuts like walnuts, peanuts, almonds, cashews, etc. are very beneficial and should be eaten regularly. Try to eat 8 to 10 nuts of any kind every day.

6. Onion

Why does this work?

Onion offers the best protection against prostate cancer along with many other health benefits like antibacterial properties, promoting good digestive health, controlling blood sugar, etc.

How to eat and how much?

Try to eat onion in any form at least twice a day. You can add it to a salad or any vegetables.

[Read: Boosting Testosterone With Natural Remedies]

7. Garlic

garlic benefits
Image:ShutterStock

Why does this work?

Garlic, similar to an onion, also helps fight prostate cancer along with maintaining the pH level. Garlic is also beneficial for the heart.

How to eat and how much?

You can eat 4-5 garlic cloves in the raw form every morning. If not then try to incorporate garlic in your daily diet by adding it in the vegetables.

Up to 10 percent of prostate cancer cases have an inherited component.

Foods to avoid with an enlarged prostate

1. Red Meat

Eating red meat regularly can greatly increase the risk of an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer as it has high levels of heterocyclic amines (HCAs)(2). HCAs are carcinogens that have been linked to the development of various other types of cancers. Beef, sausages, hot dogs, pork are the processed red meat that should be avoided.

2. Dairy

Milk and other dairy products can increase the risk of cancer as they also have a high amount of HCAs. Hence dairy consumption should be limited and especially avoid full-fat products like butter, cream cheese, ice cream, yogurt, etc. It is recommended to stick to low fat and fat-free varieties.

3. Caffeine

Caffeine acts as a diuretic which increases the urge to pee in an individual. It is troublesome to urinate repeatedly in enlarged prostate condition. Tea and soda also have the same effect as coffee.

4. Alcohol

alcohol
Image: ShutterStock

Alcohol along with increasing urine production also strengthens the risk of developing cancer. It is highly recommended to cut off on alcohol completely and drink other drinks like juices, water or non-alcoholic wine and beer.

5. Sodium

High intake of salt increases the chances of urinary tract disorders and also disturbs the pH levels. It would be preferable to choose food low in sodium and also avoid frozen and canned food as they have high quantities of sodium.

The signs and symptoms of enlarged prostate become more pronounced as the men ages. It is hence advisable to reach out for a doctor during the initial stages to know how to control the condition further on. Do not hesitate to go to a doctor and make sure you tell the doctor all the symptoms.

It is highly advisable to consult a doctor regularly once you cross the age of 50. An early diagnosis eliminates all the problems by half and makes possible more effective treatment.

If not cared for properly, the enlarged prostate can develop into prostate cancer which makes the problem worse. National Kidney and Urological Disease Information also state that the most common problem for men over 50 is prostate enlargement and by the age of 85 the number climbs up to 90%.


FAQs

1. Is it advisable to walk in an enlarged prostate?

Moderate walking every day for 35-40 minutes benefits the enlarged prostate condition as it improves the blood flow.

2. Is sitting bad for the enlarged prostate?

Sitting in the same position for an extended period is bad for prostate health. It is advisable to take walking breaks in between.

3. Does enlarged prostate affect the sperm count?

A very large prostate can affect sperm count and motility. However, it is treatable through correct diagnosis and medication.

View Comments (0)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Scroll To Top

Sign up for our Newsletter !
Get access to quality &
Natural Health Tips right from the Experts
Subscribe !
Send this to a friend