Evidence of an unhealthful diet being linked to prostate enlargement, medically known as benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH, is compelling. According to a Harvard University Medical School Health Professionals study, men with waistlines in excess of 43 inches were more than twice as likely to develop BPH than men with 35 inch or smaller waists. A lifestyle including exercise and moderate amounts of alcohol, coupled with a diet low in fats and red meats, can help to reduce the risk of prostate enlargement.
Vegetables
A 1992 study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that diets rich in vegetables might aid in reducing BPH. Although large amounts of fruit intake did not alter the risk of benign prostatic hypertrophy, researchers found that "Vegetable consumption was inversely associated with BPH." Men who ate vegetables rich in vitamin C were less likely to suffer from prostate enlargement.
According to nutritionists from the Mayo Clinic, vegetables with high vitamin C content include bell peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, snap peas, cauliflower, kale and tomato or vegetable juices. Additionally, cabbage and broccoli provide good sources of the vitamin.
Low-Fat Foods
In countries such as Japan where diets are low in fat, BPH occurs much less frequently than in the United States. Americans' diets, rich in red meats and saturated and trans fats, likely elevate the risk of BPH. Fat intake not only assists in raising BPH risk, but can increase the risk of prostate cancer, according to Dr. Scardino, author of "Dr. Scardino's Prostate Book."
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recommends such low-fat foods as skim milk, plain yogurt, rice, oatmeal, bran flakes, skinless chicken or turkey, unbreaded fish and popcorn. (See Resource 2)
Alcohol
Surprisingly, alcohol makes it on the short list of foods that help reduce prostate enlargement. A 2008 Harvard University Medical School newsletter stated "Because alcohol is a diuretic, logic dictates that it should increase the bothersome symptoms of BPH. But the Health Professionals study found that men who drink had a lower risk of BPH than teetotalers." While Harvard's study concluded that moderate alcohol consumption of less than three drinks a day inhibits risk of BPH, researchers in Italy claim that heavy drinking might prove even more effective in reducing BPH. However, the Harvard newsletter added, "A 2004 study from Italy found maximal protection from heavy drinking, perhaps because heavy drinkers had liver disease that lowered their testosterone levels."
References
- Mayo Clinic: Enlarged prostate--Does diet play a role?
- Johns Hopkins Health Alerts: The Importance of a BPH-Friendly Diet
- The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
- "Dr. Peter Scardino's Prostate Book"; Peter T. Scardino, M.D.; 2006
- Harvard Health: Stress and the Prostate
