10 Good Foods For Prostate Health

An overlooked area for prostate health is diet and nutrition. Men go about their lives not thinking about how important it is to eat food for good prostate health. Eating a proper diet goes a long way in preventing prostate disease. This article will cover the importance of diet and nutrition for managing prostate health for men of all ages.

Beneficial Prostate Foods

There are many different types of foods that benefit the prostate. Some foods that should be a regular part of your diet and their benefits are:

1. Broccoli

Evidence suggests broccoli has properties to block prostate cancer cells. The chemicals in broccoli are strong antioxidants and can even destroy free radicals that cause cancer. For the most health benefits, broccoli is best eaten raw or steamed with minimal cooking. Try to eat at least 3 servings a week.

2. Tomatoes

They are rich in lycopene, which is another strong antioxidant. Lycopene also has anti-cancer properties. Unlike broccoli, tomatoes are best cooked for better health benefits. 3-5 servings a week is a good diet plan.

3. Berries

Foods like strawberries & blueberries have strong antioxidant support and anti-inflammatory properties. They also have anti-cancer properties as well. A substance called “polyphenols” is the main beneficial ingredient in berries. Suggested serving should be 3-5 per week.

4. Nuts

Many different types of nuts including walnuts, pecans, macadamia, Brazil, and almonds are great prostate support foods. Nuts are rich in a compound called “selenium”. Selenium has been researched for slowing tumor growth and has
antioxidant powers. Consume at least 5-7 servings a week of various nuts.

5. Fish

This is rich in selenium, but also has zinc. Zinc is an important nutrient for prostate health. Zinc plays the role of strengthening the immune system and prevents unwanted cell growth. Salmon is a great fish source for prostate health. Try to eat fish at least twice per week.

6. Apples

This fruit is loaded with a compound called “quercetin”. Quercetin has very strong anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also an important bioflavonoid and antioxidant. Bioflavonoids are natural nutrients found in most fruits and vegetables. The apple peel supplies most of the benefits. The peel contains both quercetin & bioflavonoids. Apples should be eaten on a daily basis.

7. Watermelon

This is another food rich in lycopene. The red color of watermelon demonstrates the presence of lycopene. All red-colored fruits have some sort of lycopene presence. Watermelon or red-colored fruits should be eaten at 3-5 servings per week.

8. Soy-based foods

Foods like soybeans and raisins are rich in soy. Soy can protect and strengthen prostate tissue. Soy foods should be at 2 servings or more a week. But make sure it’s non-GMO and soy should always be eaten in it’s rawest form to get the full benefits.

9. Purified water

Water is very important to the body. Water is a natural cleanser. It will help keep the prostate flushed of unwanted toxins. Drink 6-10 cups of purified/bottled water daily.

10. Green tea

This beverage is rich in antioxidants. Green tea prevents the spread of cancer cells. Suggested intake of green tea is at least 4 cups daily.

Actually, all fruits and vegetables are good for the prostate. The above list is just a few foods that are beneficial to prostate health. Red (colored) fruits are particularly the best fruits to make a regular part of your diet.

Foods To Avoid Or Limit

While there is a long list of foods to have in your diet, there is also a list of foods to keep out of your diet. Below is a list of some of the foods to avoid/limit.

1. Dairy products

Avoid dairy products at all cost. Especially eggs and processed milk products. In numerous studies, dairy intake is linked to prostate cancer. Men who consume dairy products regularly have as much as a 40% higher risk of developing
prostate cancer.

2. Refined sugars

Avoid foods with added sugar. I say “added” here because a lot of foods have natural sugar like fruits & vegetables. Cancer cells thrive on sugar which can lead to cancer growth.

3. Red meats

Try to limit red meat intake. Red meat may have other health benefits, but for prostate health these foods are better left out of the diet. Red meats are loaded with fats and steroids. A diet high in fat intake is linked to prostate cancer. If you’re going to eat red meat then let it be very minimal.

4. Caffeine

Beverages like coffee and soft drinks are loaded with caffeine. This stimulant leads to damage of soft tissues like the prostate. Cut out or limit the consumption of caffeine.

5. Spicy foods

Foods such as chili and pepper can irritate the prostate. Don’t make spicy foods a regular part of your diet. However, certain spices can actually benefit the prostate like cayenne pepper and garlic.

The above list has just a few of the foods to avoid for maintaining prostate health. Of course, consult your doctor or nutrionist when devising a diet plan. There may be some foods that are harmful for the prostate, but necessary for other reasons. Also, try to purchase foods that are “organic” or “natural” for optimal health.

As you can see, eating a healthy diet plays a very important role in prostate health. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies. Avoid fatty foods and drink plenty of purified water. Eating healthy is doing you and your prostate a big favor. You may not be thinking about it now, but giving your prostate the needed nutrients can certainly keep it from having a possible
problem in the future.

Photo by spisharam – AWAY

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