A prostate-healthy diet is a smart way to reduce your risk of prostate cancer and other health conditions. This includes avoiding foods that are high in sugar, processed fats and red meat. Instead, you can focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and healthy fats like olives and avocados. You can also eat foods that help fight prostate cancer, such as Asian mushrooms and pomegranate juice.
Studies have found that a diet low in saturated and trans fats may reduce your risk of prostate problems, as well as other diseases. You should avoid fried and fast food, as well as red meat, cured meats and dairy products, which are high in these fats. You should add foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, trout and herring, to your diet to get these important healthy fats.
Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may also lower your risk of prostate problems, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Berries, such as strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, are good sources of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals that can damage prostate cells. Leafy greens, tomatoes and cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, are also excellent prostate-health foods.
You should also eat a diet that is low in foods with added sugar, such as white bread, bagels, donuts and cookies, as these are linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer. You should also limit your intake of foods with added fats, such as safflower oil, corn oil and soybean oil, as these can increase the production of hormones that may contribute to prostate cancer. Instead, you can use oils such as olive oil and canola oil, which are low in these unhealthy fats.
While many supplements have been touted as a “magic bullet” for preventing prostate problems, there is no evidence that they significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer or BPH. However, some herbs and spices, such as turmeric, have been shown to reduce inflammation and inhibit tumor growth. You can eat this spice by adding it to soups, sauces and salad dressings or taking supplements that contain turmeric.
Other foods that are good for the prostate include beans, which are a great source of protein and fiber. Try incorporating black beans, kidney beans, lentils and buttery lima beans into your diet. You should also eat vegetables such as bell peppers, tomatoes and kale, which are excellent sources of beta-carotene and other powerful antioxidants that can prevent prostate disease. Finally, you should eat foods that are rich in vitamin D and calcium, such as fortified breakfast cereals, milk, yogurt and cheese. If you are deficient in vitamin D, a blood test can check your levels. If you have trouble getting enough calcium from your diet, talk to your doctor about taking a supplement.