Prostatitis is the general term for inflammation of the prostate.

It is a common condition that can affect men of all ages, although it is especially prevalent in men aged 30- 50 years.

There are several different types of prostatitis, including;

• Acute prostatitis
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis.
• Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
• Asymptomatic prostatitis.

Diagnosing the type of prostatitis you have will help to determine the cause, and therefore, the best treatment plan.

In the case of acute bacterial prostatitis caused by a bacterial infection, a course of antibiotics is usually prescribed.

Bacterial infection also causes chronic bacterial prostatitis. It’s seen in men who’ve had frequent UTIs (urinary tract infections).

However, some research has suggested that dietary changes could also be useful.

This article will take a closer look at the link between diet and prostatitis.

What is prostatitis?

As touched upon prostatitis is a condition that causes inflammation to develop in the prostate gland. In some cases, the disease can be acute and will get better in a short period.

Some men, however, may develop chronic prostatitis. This is when the inflammation persists over a longer period of time.

Among male patients who consult with a specialist, prostatitis is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases.

An estimated two million men who account for outpatient visits in the United States are diagnosed with prostatitis each year.

It is estimated that about 8.2% of all men will experience symptoms associated with prostatitis during their lifetime.

Symptoms of prostatitis

Symptoms of prostatitis will vary in their severity, depending on the type you have. Some of the most common signs and symptoms include:

• Painful urination, difficult and/or frequent urinating.
• Blood in the urine/ Cloudy urine.
• Pain in the abdomen, groin or lower back.
• Pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum (perineum).
• Pain or discomfort of the penis or testicles.
• Pelvic pain.
• Fever, chills and body aches / flu-like symptoms.
• Urethral discharge.
• Painful ejaculation or sexual dysfunction.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.

How does diet affect prostatitis?

A healthy diet is very important for staying healthy. While there isn't a set diet for prostatitis, many studies have shown that certain foods and drinks can make symptoms worse.

Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice released a study that looked at 2,385 patients (1,710 men and 675 women) who had symptoms of prostatitis or the urethral syndrome.

For 12 weeks, all of the patients had to follow a strict diet that didn't include any booze, caffeine, or hot, spicy foods.

Finally, after 12 weeks of only dieting, the data showed that 87% of men and 89% of women were able to lose weight.

In a 2013 study, spicy foods, caffeine, and booze were again found to make symptoms worse.

About half of the 95 CP/CPPS patients asked in the study published in the Journal of Urology said that certain foods and drinks made their symptoms worse.

Spicy foods (like chili and hot peppers), coffee, tea, and drinking drinks were some of these.

It was also found that herbal drinks, fiber, water, and stool softeners helped ease symptoms.

Experts say to stay hydrated and eat foods that are high in fiber, like whole grains, fruits, and veggies.

Playing diet defense

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says that about half of all men over the age of 50 have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which means their prostate is too big. Almost 90% of men will have BPH by the time they are 80 years old.

Being healthy and less likely to get BPH is possible if you eat a lot of certain vitamins and minerals. Being overweight is another thing that can make you more likely to get the condition. So picking healthy foods is also a great way to lose weight and lower your risk.

Sesame seeds

Zinc is found in large amounts in sesame seeds. A study in the Indian Journal of Urology says that the mineral is very important for the health of the prostate. It has been shown that men with BPH or prostate cancer have up to 75% less zinc in their bodies than men whose prostates are healthy.

Getting zinc from food is better for you than taking zinc pills. Sesame seeds are good for you to eat as a snack. Zinc can also be found in large amounts in almonds, adzuki beans, and pumpkin seeds.

A study on rats found that pumpkin seeds may also help men with BPH.

Salmon

The Mayo Clinic says that being overweight may make you more likely to get a swollen prostate.

One review says that getting more omega-3s and working out can help people lose weight and stop being overweight. There are a lot of omega-3 fatty acids in salmon. These good fats can keep you safe from:

cardiovascular disease
cancer
rheumatoid arthritis
inflammation
weight gain

Nuts, ground flax seeds, chia seeds, and canola oil are all good sources of omega-3s if you don't like fish. Tons less can be found in kidney beans and soybeans.

Bell peppers

The Mayo Clinic says that vitamin C, which can be found in veggies, may help fight BPH. There is a lot of vitamin C in bell peppers: There is almost 200 percent of your daily vitamin C needs in one cup of raw bell peppers. You might also want to eat the following veggies because they are high in vitamin C:

broccoli
cauliflower
kale
Brussels sprouts

Tomatoes

The bright vitamin lycopene is found in large amounts in tomatoes. This is what makes the plant red. Lycopene might make it less likely that someone will get prostate cancer. As the National Cancer Institute says, it can also help guys with BPH.

In one study, lycopene slowed the development of BPH in people who took part. Another thing lycopene does is lower the prostate specific antigen (PSA), which is linked to prostate cancer, BPH, and inflammation. Just make sure to eat your lycopene-rich food with a fat, like butter, nuts, egg, or oil to help your body absorb it better.

You can get lycopene in:

tomatoes
watermelon
apricots
pink grapefruit
papaya

Avocados

Beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol that is found in large amounts in avocados, is thought to help ease the symptoms of BPH. Men who take beta-sitosterol supplements say they have better pee flow and less urine volume left over. To be safe, though, the Mayo Clinic says that beta-sitosterol pills have not been proven to work or be safe.

Besides avocados, other foods rich in beta-sitosterol include:

pumpkin seeds
wheat germ
soybeans
pecans

Vegetables

You may be less likely to get BPH if you eat more veggies. Because they are high in antioxidants, green leafy veggies are very important. Broccoli and other cruciferous veggies also lower the risk of prostate problems, such as BPH and prostate cancer.

People who eat a lot of onion and garlic may also have a lower chance of getting BPH. Garlic and onions are often used in natural medicine to help fight infections and make your immune system stronger.

Tofu

An older study found that isoflavones from soybeans slow the growth of BPH. A newer study, on the other hand, says that soy only slows the growth of dangerous cells in the prostate.

Soy isoflavones were found to help with the symptoms and signs of BPH in the lower urinary tract in another study.

For other sources of soybean isoflavones, try these whole soy foods:

• soymilk
• tempeh
• edamame or cooked soybeans
• roasted soybeans
• soy yogurt

3 Day meal plan

This is an example of a diet plan that includes foods that shrink the prostate. It's a lot like the Mediterranean diet, as you will see:

Day 1

Breakfast: Overnight oats with blueberries

Lunch: Cannellini bean salad

Dinner: Broccoli and salmon stirfy with wholewheat noodles

Day 2

Breakfast: Sweet potato hash (with spinach, 2 egg whites, and avocado)

Lunch: one banana and whole-wheat sandwich with tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, and hummus

Dinner: Marinated chicken skewers with couscous and salad

Day 3

Breakfast: Avocado toast with eggs and tomato

Lunch: Kale and chickpea stew

Dinner: Mediterranean chicken pasta salad

Lesson Summary

Prostatitis is the general term for inflammation of the prostate, which can affect men of all ages, but is more common in men aged 30-50. There are several types of prostatitis:

• Acute prostatitis
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis
• Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS)
• Asymptomatic prostatitis

Symptoms of prostatitis may include painful urination, abdominal pain, fever, chills, and more. In cases caused by bacterial infections, antibiotics are typically prescribed. Studies have shown a relationship between diet and prostatitis, with certain foods worsening symptoms.

A healthy diet plays a crucial role in managing prostatitis. Research suggests that avoiding spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol can help alleviate symptoms. Conversely, consuming foods rich in specific nutrients like zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, lycopene, beta-sitosterol, and isoflavones may provide relief for individuals dealing with prostatitis.

Some foods beneficial for prostate health include sesame seeds, salmon, bell peppers, tomatoes, avocados, nuts, vegetables, tofu, and various soy products. Creating a well-rounded meal plan that focuses on these food groups, such as the Mediterranean diet, can be beneficial in managing and reducing the symptoms of prostatitis.