Step 2 ✅12 Best Foods to Shrink an Enlarged Prostate
What Foods Are Good For Shrinking The Prostate?
A lot of men have problems with their prostate glands, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis. and even prostate cancer, which is one of the most common types of cancer in men.
More men with a family history of prostate problems will have problems with their own. Also, men who have BPH complaints need to make sure they don't have problems with their prostate.
Pain in the lower urinary tract in men is generally not caused by an infection. UTIs don't happen to them as often as they do to women. This means that prostate growth is very high on the list.
The prostate is in the neck of the bladder, close to the urethra. The bladder is pushed against the prostate when it is very big. In the end, this rising pressure leads to urinary obstruction and signs like a slow flow of urine and having to strain to go to the bathroom.
A very small number of medicines can shrink the prostate, and surgery is the only way to treat very serious cases. However, studies and real-life experience show that some foods can help ease urinary problems.
Transurethral resection of the prostate is the best way to treat a very big prostate, especially if the cancer is only in one area.
You should really pay attention to your care and talk to your doctor about it if you have prostate cancer. But even for people with prostate cancer and BPH, food advice is very important.
Some foods may make your prostate problems worse. Eating other people can make the problem a lot better.
So, what foods can help shrink the prostate?
Sesame seeds
Zinc is important for the health of your prostate. Men who have trouble with their prostate often have lower zinc levels than other men. Sesame seeds are a great way to get zinc, which may help with bladder problems a lot.They also have a lot of fiber, which helps our bowel movements. By keeping people from becoming constipated, we can ease their bladder problems. A study released in the International Journal of Urology also says that it might raise our PSA level.
Salmon
There is a type of heavy fish that is very good for you. It's good for you and full of nutrients. Olive oil has Omega 3 fatty acids in it. This is a fatty acid that reduces inflammation. It makes the prostate gland less swollen and may stop the growth of cancer cells. A recent systematic study found that eating more omega-3s lowers the risk of dying from prostate cancer (2).
Bell Pepper
This is a good place to get vitamin C, which seems to play a big role in prostate cancer and BPH. A new study in the Journal of Nutrition found that guys who eat foods high in vitamin C have fewer problems with their bladders.
Dr. Nancy Maserejian says that a food source is better than a drug in this case.
Do not look for vitamin C when you want supplements. Instead, look for saw palmetto.
Avocados
A lot of different healthy fats can be found in bananas. Beta-sitosterol is in them, but not as much as omega-3 is in salmon. Studies show that beta-sitosterol makes it easier to pee.
People who have problems with their prostate often feel like they can urinate more completely. A Cochrane systematic study says that they have better flow measures.
Tomatoes
This is an important food for people with prostate problems. Some chemicals in tomatoes, called lycopene, give them their red color. Also, lycopene is a great way to lower your chance of prostate cancer and other problems with the prostate.
One study says it lowers PSA readings and slows the progression of BPH and prostate cancer.
Broccoli
Other vegetables can also help lower our chance of getting a bigger prostate. Another very important food is broccoli, along with other cruciferous ones.
A study in the Journal Cancer Research found that eating tomato and broccoli together can lower the growth of prostate cancer cells and raise the number of cells that die.
Garlic
Allicin, which is found in onions, garlic, and other plants in the allium family, helps fight inflammation, free radicals, and cancer. A study with almost 3,000 BPH patients from several centers found that eating more allium veggies lowers the risk of getting BPH.
Turmeric
This is something that you can find in Curcuma longa, which is a spice that is commonly used in Thai, Chinese, and Indian food. This chemical lowers swelling in the prostate and stops inflammation. It also has other uses.
A study says that it also stops BPH by blocking routes for nuclear signaling.
Green tea
Many people know this as one of the best vitamins, and it is often used to keep heart problems at bay. However, epigallocatechin gallate lowers the growth of too many prostate cells.
It also fights against testosterone's ability to make the prostate gland grow.
Pomegranate
You can get a lot of antioxidants from this, especially if you drink grape juice. Getting rid of erectile dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the prostate is good.
The smooth muscle of the urethra is relaxed by reading the research, and people with urinary problems feel better.
Nuts
While there are many kinds of nuts, most of them are great sources of fiber. As was already said, eating fiber can help with urinary problems and constipation.
There's also a study of tiger nuts, which are a certain kind of nut. It is known to lower PSA levels and fix problems with sperm, which makes these people more fertile.
Beans
Like nuts, there are different kinds of beans. Some of them have a lot of fiber, which has the effects listed above.
Watermelon
Tobacco is without a doubt the best place to get lycopene. That being said, it's not the only way to get this vitamin. Lycopene is also found in watermelons and is what makes them red. There is a lot of lycopene in strawberries too.
All of these foods stop or slow the growth of BPH and prostate cancer.
Foods to avoid
Dietary advice also tells us what things to stay away from to avoid urinary problems. Most of the time, they are foods that make the bladder and other parts of the lower urinary system hurt. Some things can make you more likely to get prostate cancer or any other type of cancer.
If you have problems with your prostate, you should avoid eating the following foods:
Red meat
It tastes good, but it's bad for your prostate.Red meat raises your arachidonic acid levels and makes inflammation worse. When your prostate swells, it makes it harder to go to the bathroom and lowers your quality of life.
Eggs and poultry
It's better for you than red meat, but you shouldn't eat it every day. Arachidonic acid in eggs makes inflammation worse, just like it does in red meat. It was also found that eating chicken made the signs of BPH worse.
Dairy
That means cheese and whole-fat milk. They have saturated fat, which makes people gain weight around the middle, and their urinary problems are directly affected by this. Lighter versions of milk and cheese should be eaten instead of whole-fat ones. You could also drink soy milk or almond milk instead.
Alcohol
People who have benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer are not allowed to drink alcohol.
They cause inflammation in the prostate or make it worse. Also, these drinks make you pee more, which is called diuretics.
In other words, they will make these people urinate more often, which is already the case.
Coffee
Including sports drinks, fizzy drinks, and some types of tea, all drinks with caffeine are not a good idea. Coffee makes you pee more often because it makes you pee more often. It makes nocturia and other symptoms worse by making your bladder hurt.
Sugary foods
Sugary drinks, cakes, sweets, and a lot more are in this group. They cause insulin levels to rise, which makes inflammation and tissue growth happen. Your prostate keeps getting bigger because the constant spikes send the wrong message.
Spicy foods
They make the urinary tract sore, so if you have problems with your bladder, you should eat less spicy food. They might make things worse.
Also, eating hot foods can make your symptoms worse, like having to go to the bathroom more often or right away.
Lesson Summary
Many men face prostate gland issues such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, and prostate cancer. Family history and BPH are linked, requiring attention to prostate health. Notably, urinary tract pain in men is often due to prostate growth rather than infection. In such cases, certain foods are shown to alleviate urinary problems:
- Sesame Seeds: Rich in zinc and fiber, sesame seeds may aid in bladder concerns.
- Salmon: A source of Omega-3, reducing prostate inflammation, and cancer growth.
- Bell Pepper: High in vitamin C, beneficial for prostate health.
- Avocados: Contains healthy fats like beta-sitosterol, aiding in urinary issues.
- Tomatoes: Rich in lycopene, known to lower prostate cancer risk and slow BPH progression.
- Broccoli: Along with other cruciferous veggies, broccoli can reduce the growth of prostate cancer cells.
- Garlic: Allicin in garlic helps combat inflammation and reduce BPH risks.
- Turmeric: Curcumin in turmeric reduces prostate swelling and inflammation.
- Green Tea: Epigallocatechin gallate in green tea hampers prostate cell growth.
- Pomegranates: Rich in antioxidants, aiding in reducing inflammation and erectile dysfunction.
- Nuts: A source of fiber, which helps with urinary problems and constipation.
- Beans: High-fiber content in beans offers similar benefits to nuts.
- Watermelon: Contains lycopene, beneficial for prostate health.
Conversely, certain foods exacerbate prostate issues and should be avoided:
- Red Meat: Increases inflammation and prostate swelling.
- Eggs and Poultry: Arachidonic acid exacerbates inflammation; chicken worsens BPH symptoms.
- Dairy: Saturated fats in dairy products impact urinary issues; opt for lighter versions or alternative milks.
- Alcohol: Induces inflammation and frequent urination, detrimental for those with prostate problems.
- Coffee: Caffeine-containing drinks can worsen urinary symptoms and bladder pain.
- Sugary Foods: Cause insulin spikes, leading to prostate growth and inflammation.
- Spicy Foods: Irritate the urinary tract, potentially worsening urinary symptoms.