Ten Worst Foods For Prostate Health

Foods that are harmful to prostate health include – alcohol, fried foods, caffeine, processed meats, and dairy products, among others.

Consuming a balanced diet and avoiding too many processed foods has many health benefits, one of which includes minimizing prostate problems.

Prostate conditions are common in men over 50, causing symptoms such as pain when urinating and needing to go to the washroom more often. The most common issues include prostate cancer, benign prostate hyperplasia (enlarged but not cancerous prostate), and prostatitis (inflammation and swelling of the prostate gland).

Lifestyle and food choices can influence prostate health and may increase the probability of developing one of the conditions above. But first, let’s dive right in with the 10 worst foods for prostate health so you are aware of foods that you should avoid for good prostate health.

Prostate – An Introduction

The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system, which includes the testicles, penis, the prostate, and seminal vesicles. It is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder) and is about the size of a walnut [1].

Diet And Prostate Health

The food that we consume every day directly affects our biochemistry and influences everything from our hormones to our cellular health. Factors such as nutrient deficiencies and an overload of chemicals from processed food items can trigger the development of certain types of cancer.

For those with an increased risk of prostate health issues, what you eat can play a major role in whether or not your genetic risk is ever expressed. In fact, 77% of your health is determined by your lifestyle choices and diet [2].

Avoid Ten Worst Foods For Prostate Health

Here, we’ll assess the foods and categories of food items that aren’t good for prostate health.

Fried Foods

Fried foods such as fried chicken, fries, and donuts may be linked with higher prostate cancer risk.

A meta-analysis of these studies concluded that intake of fried food is associated with a 35% increased chance of prostate cancer [3].

Excessive sodium

Our body needs sodium to maintain essential body functions. We should get sodium naturally through things like sea salt, but our modern eating habits contain way more sodium than we would ever need in processed and packaged foods. When it comes to prostate health, too much sodium can aggravate prostate and urinary functions.

Caffeine

Tea, coffee, soda, and energy drinks all contain caffeine, which can also make an individual urinate more. Caffeine is a mild bladder irritant, and large quantities have been linked with urinary incontinence (leaking of urine that you can’t control). Consuming over 400mg of caffeine every day (around 4 cups of coffee) can increase the risk of prostate issues [4].

Alcohol

Alcohol intake, especially in excess, can worsen urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, increasing urine frequency and output. Alcohol can also disrupt hormonal balance and damage liver cells. Men who regularly consume alcohol in excess may face a higher risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer.

Spicy Foods

Spicy foods inflame the prostate and bladder and increase primary urinary symptoms in males with diminished prostate health. Therefore, you should consider eating less spicy foods.

Eggs

In a large study, it was found that men who ate an average of 2.5 or more eggs per week had an 81% increased probability of developing a lethal form of prostate cancer compared to those who ate an average of less than half an egg per week.

Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates include white flour, cookies, and other baked desserts, cereals, and bread, which are all considered high-glycemic foods that can spike your blood sugar. When your blood sugar levels are elevated, it can stimulate the production of sex steroid hormones that have been shown to contribute to the development of prostate cancer.

Processed Meat

Processed meats such as sausages, hot dogs, and bacon can contribute to prostate cancer. While various studies are still looking at the mechanisms by which processed meats contribute to prostate cancer, researchers believe it has to do with the process of producing these meats and the way these meats break down in our bodies after digestion.

Dairy Products

Dairy products are not a good choice for men with an enlarged prostate. Diary products are rich in saturated fats, which can cause inflammation and are linked to increased prostatitis in males.

Red Meat

Red meat consumption is linked to causing prostate cancer. Different studies talk about carcinogens present in red meat that activate or are generated depending on the cooking method. Red meat cooked until well-done, at high temperatures, and by pan-frying method causes the highest risk of prostate cancer.

The reason is not apparent but could be due to heterocyclic amines (mutagenic or carcinogenic chemicals formed from cooking meats such as beef, pork, fish, and fowl) present in red meat under these cooking methods [5].

Bad prostate health can also lead to other ailments related to male sexual health. And one of the most common health concerns that men with prostate health issues face is erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is a condition characterized by the inability to get and maintain an erection.

There are various treatment options for ED, but the most common and effective option is medications. Medications used for ED are termed PDE5 inhibitors. Apart from medicines, certain foods contain PDE5 inhibitors.

See the foods containing PDE5 inhibitors by clicking on our blog page “What foods contain PDE5 inhibitors.”

Conclusion

Being mindful of what you consume is important for maintaining good prostate health. The ten worst foods mentioned above for prostate health can all have adverse effects when consumed in excess. However, incorporating a healthy balanced diet that includes foods rich in fiber, healthy fats, antioxidants, and essential nutrients can support overall well-being and better prostate health.