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What Are the Ten Worst Foods for Prostate Health?
Keeping your prostate happy and healthy is a big deal.
We love talking about prostate milking, massagers, and our favorite ways to get to know your P-spot better, but there’s more to prostate wellness than your tools and techniques.
Did you know that what you eat can affect your prostate health? It’s true — your food can impact your prostate in some noticeably negative ways. However, there’s no need to freak out — nobody’s diet is perfect, but there are steps you can take to prioritize prostate health with what you eat.
Before we hop in, we want to let you know that this list will not include foods that may make semen taste bad, and we’ll also steer clear of anti-aphrodisiacs. Instead, what you are going to find here are foods specifically linked to this crucial gland's overall health.
Let’s do this!
What Is the Prostate?
The prostate, which is the size of a walnut, is tucked behind the penis and wrapped around the urethra. This gland is not just important for sexual practices; it’s also a key player in regulatory practices, i.e. urination and defacation.
If there is something going wrong with your prostate, the gland makes sure you feel it with symptoms like sharp abdominal pain. If you notice any discomfort in that area, reach out to your doctor ASAP.
What Are the Ten Worst Foods for Your Prostate?
First, let’s discuss what foods to avoid. By no means are these foods end-all-be-all problems for prostate health. However, overdoing them in your daily diet may lead to potential health issues down the line.
Therefore, it’s wise to exercise moderation if you are worried about your prostate health — per your doctor’s green light, of course.
Here are ten foods to avoid or limit for better prostate health.
Saturated Fats
Saturated fats are in plenty of tasty processed foods and some types of meat and fatty dairy products. Unfortunately, too much-saturated fat is associated with a dip in prostate health.
As folx with prostates age, there's a chance that the gland will grow in size. Once that happens, you may be more susceptible to potential health conditions.
For folx dealing with certain health conditions related to the prostate, treatment is a must. That treatment often includes cutting some saturated fats out of your diet.
Eggs
Studies show that choline, found in eggs, meats, nuts, and fish, strongly connects to increased prostate health risks. A higher intake of choline in tissues and plasma can have a 70% increased risk to prostate cancer.
Although you may have heard that the cholesterol in eggs is a cause of concern, choline might have a bigger effect on your prostate. Researchers argue that too much choline in the system can significantly increase prostate health risk.
However, your body does need choline to survive, especially when it comes to brain function.
Beef
In general, researchers have found that an over-reliance on red meat in the diet can increase the risk for these conditions.
Pork
Much like red meats, specific cooking methods of this meat may produce carcinogens. Although the risk is significantly less than meats like beef or lamb, doctors may still advise you not to rely too much on these meats in your diet.
Processed Foods
Processed foods, much like saturated fats, increase the risks of potential health conditions. There are usually unhealthy amounts of sodium, sugars, and fats in processed foods. If too prevalent in your systems, each component may cause issues with cholesterol, energy, or the integrity of your digestive system.
Spicy and Acidic Foods
If you have a sensitive bladder, you may know that the following day may not be too comfortable after a night of spicy foods. Spicy or acidic foods have been linked to urinary tract issues (UTI), including the prostate.
A UTI can lead to increased risk of prostatitis infection. A prostatitis infection can cause pain and swelling in the prostate, as well as frequent and urgent urination.
In addition, these foods are sometimes irritants to the urinary system because of their Ph, causing trouble in paradise.
Alcohol
Medical authorities identify alcohol as a bolster for urinary tract issues. Also, alcohol has considerable diuretic properties. Sometimes this may be a recipe for disaster with those with sensitive prostates or health conditions around the urinary tract. Most of these issues stem from dependence or far too frequent consumption of alcohol. Alcohol like wine, in moderation, can benefit prostate health with its relationship with blood and the cardiovascular system.
Caffeine
Are you a fiend for caffeine?
The impact of coffee and other beverages with caffeine is similar to the harmful effects of alcohol. Therefore, it is better for intake of this substance to be taken in moderation as well.
Various Dairy Products
Let’s set things straight – dairy contains choline, which we are already somewhat familiar with when it comes to its negative relationship with prostate health. As you may also know, cheese can come in different types and flavors of deliciousness.
Depending on the salt content of the cheese that you love, too much of that (sodium) could put your prostate at significant risk. Dairy includes yogurt, milk, ice cream, baked goods, and more.
Too Much Calcium
It is somewhat linked to the previous dairy section in terms of sources of calcium. Too much calcium may encourage the creation and growth of unhealthy tissue in the prostate. Some calcium-rich foods include soy milk, almonds, sunflower seeds, and white beans.
What Foods Are Good for Shrinking the Prostate?
Why not list some foods that your prostate may appreciate? Here is a list of foods that have been linked to overall bodily system upkeep, including but not limited to prostate health. These foods mainly act as shrinking agents that can soothe tension and health conditions.
The majority of foods mentioned on this list are powerful sources of antioxidants. These substances support your immune system in battling incoming problems as well preventing them from getting past the front door. Your prostate benefits from these defenses tenfold.
Fruits
Think of berries or those sweet fruits that can be sour. Fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are packed with high levels of antioxidants. Also, fruit-included diets have been shown to help battle the tougher prostate health conditions.
Nuts
Whether they are tree nuts or other, these foods contain considerable amounts of minerals that encourage the body’s regulatory processes and supplement the immune system much like antioxidants do.
Broccoli & Cauliflower
These miniature tree-like veggies are already a staple in healthy-balanced eating. But did you know that these foods contain compounds that have been linked to direct immuno responses in prostate health conditions? There is more than meets the eye with these unassuming greens.
Tomatoes
This red fruit, formerly known as a vegetable, is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants soothe and bolster prostate health. Be careful, these are big sources of acids in one's diet. So make sure to indulge in moderation to keep the prostate happy.
Salmon
Fish, especially salmon, is packed with heaping amounts of calcium and omega-3s. These two compounds and substances, if over-consumed, can cause problems for your system and prostate.
However, if kept in moderation, these two substances play considerable roles in the upkeep of the prostate but also ensure stronger and healthier orgasms.
Of course, more foods may benefit prostate health and prostate problem prevention.
Final Thoughts To Consider
The good stuff can be the great stuff if you’re knowledgeable about what these foods can do for you.
Curious about the details and other options? Ask your healthcare provider or contact a dietician or nutritionist to learn more.
As you’ve heard a million times, every aspect of your diet is best with a bit of moderation. That means you can eat some eggs a few times a week and still keep your prostate happy and healthy.
Now that you know which foods are associated with a negative impact on prostate health, you’ve got all the info you need to eat a prostate-friendly diet.
Remember, that doesn’t mean that you have to completely cut out entire food groups. Instead, try cutting back on the potentially problematic foods in the first section of this post — and adding in some more antioxidant-rich alternatives.
At GIDDI, we want to make sure you — and your prostate — are living your best life. We believe that nothing is sexier than a full understanding of how your body works, which is why it’s smart to follow a prostate-friendly diet.
Combine some simple changes to what you eat and drink with techniques like prostate milking and massage, and you’ll be well on your way to peak prostate health.
Sources:
10 diet & exercise tips for prostate health | Harvard Health
How does the prostate work? - InformedHealth.org | NCBI Bookshelf
Intakes of meat, fish, poultry, and eggs and risk of prostate cancer progression | PMC
Choline intake and risk of lethal prostate cancer: incidence and survival | PMC