Navigating a Prostate-Friendly Diet: What Not to Eat If You Have An Enlarged Prostate

If you have an enlarged prostate, it’s important to ensure you eat the right foods to manage your condition. Certain foods can aggravate your symptoms, while others can help reduce the size of the gland. 

Here is a list of foods that you should try to avoid if you have an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia - BPH): 

Caffeine

Caffeine can be bad news for an enlarged prostate because it irritates the bladder and increases the urge to urinate. The stimulant can also increase urinary frequency, which can be uncomfortable and disruptive. Additionally, caffeine can make the bladder to contract more strongly, causing pain and discomfort.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a diuretic, which can cause you to urinate more frequently. Also, alcohol can interfere with the medications used to treat an enlarged prostate, such as alpha-blockers. This can make it harder to reduce the size of the gland and manage the symptoms. 

Spicy foods

Spicy foods can be a problem because they can aggravate symptoms such as frequent urination and difficulty urinating. The spices in these foods irritate the lining of the bladder, leading to further inflammation, which can worsen the symptoms. Spices can also make urine more acidic, further irritating the prostate.

Acidic foods

Foods high in acids, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes and vinegar, can irritate the bladder by triggering an inflammatory response that can worsen your symptoms. 

Processed meat

Processed meats, such as bacon, hot dogs and sausages, can be high in saturated fat, which can increase inflammation and worsen your symptoms. 

Dairy products

Dairy products such as cheese and milk may not be a good choice for those with an enlarged prostate. They´re high in saturated fats, which can lead to inflammation and make symptoms worse. Additionally, dairy products contain high amounts of hormones that can increase prostate enlargement. 

Sugar

Eating too many sugary foods can cause your blood sugar levels to spike, increasing inflammation. 

Salt

Reducing salt intake can be beneficial for people with an enlarged prostate because it can reduce inflammation and lessen symptoms. Eating a diet low in salt can also lead to reduced fluid retention, which can lower pressure in the bladder, therefore helping to minimize symptoms.

By avoiding these foods or at least cutting down your intake, you can help reduce your BPH symptoms. It’s also important to make sure that you’re eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Eating a balanced diet can help keep your symptoms under control and may also help reduce your risk of prostate cancer.

Eating Right Can Help Manage Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

Here is a list of some healthy foods that can help to control the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, such as frequent urination, difficulty in starting or stopping urination, and weak urine flow:

• Whole grains: Whole grains, such as oatmeal, barley, quinoa and brown rice, are rich in fiber and can help to reduce inflammation.
• Vegetables: Vegetables, especially dark green leafy vegetables, are high in fiber and vitamins and can help to reduce inflammation.
• Fruits: Fruits are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants and can help to reduce inflammation. Some of the best fruits for a healthy prostate are grapes, apples, pomegranates, raspberries, blueberries and watermelon.
• Nuts and seeds: Nuts and seeds are a great source of healthy fats and can help to reduce inflammation.
• Legumes: Legumes, such as beans, lentils and peas, are high in fiber and can help to reduce inflammation.
• Fish: Fish, especially fatty fish such as salmon, are high in healthy fats and can help to reduce inflammation.
• Herbs and spices: Herbs and spices, such as ginger and turmeric, are a great source of antioxidants and can help to reduce inflammation.
• Healthy fats: Including healthy fats in your diet is also important. Healthy fats, such as those found in nuts, seeds, avocados and fatty fish like salmon, can help to reduce inflammation and improve overall health.

Finally, staying hydrated is an important factor for those who have an enlarged prostate. Hydration helps to flush out toxins from the body and reduce the pressure on the bladder caused by prostate growth.

Drinking plenty of fluids also helps to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections, which can be a common side effect of an enlarged prostate. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day.

However, it´s a good idea to limit your water intake after dinner and avoid drinking fluids two to three hours before bedtime. Drinking too much water can increase urine production and make nighttime urination (nocturia) worse, resulting in frequent trips to the bathroom throughout the night.

Prostate Artery Embolization: A Revolutionary Treatment for Enlarged Prostate

One option to reduce the size of your prostate if it´s not responding to diet or medication is prostate artery embolization (PAE). During this minimally invasive procedure, a catheter is inserted through the groin and guided to arteries that supply the prostate. Tiny particles are then injected into the artery, which blocks off the blood supply to the prostate, causing it to shrink. 

PAE is a safe and effective alternative to traditional surgery and requires no hospital stay or recovery time. At the Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy (MINT), we are highly experienced in PAE and have performed hundreds of successful procedures on an outpatient basis.

For more information and to schedule a no-obligation consultation, please get in touch with us today. We have 5 convenient locations to choose from in Missouri and Illinois.

Photo attribution: Drazen Zigic on Freepik