These 6 foods boost prostate health
The prostate, a walnut-sized gland, is a part of the reproductive system in men. It is located in front of the rectum, just below the bladder. As men age, the prostate gland tends to enlarge. It is studied that around 12.5% of men over 40 will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Regular exercise, staying hydrated, and good nutrition can prevent prostate problems. Here are some foods that will improve the health of your prostate:
Foods to eat
Around 80% of men will develop an enlarged prostate as they age. As a result, it is important to care for the prostate gland. The foods you eat can play a significant role to help prevent it.
- Berries
Fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries are rich sources of antioxidants. They are also rich in vitamin C, which can help reduce symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or prostate enlargement) by reducing swelling and improving urination. A cup of strawberries contains 90mg of vitamin C, and a cup of blueberries contains 14mg of vitamin C. The antioxidants in berries can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, alleviating symptoms of BPH and preventing cancer. You can include berries in your daily food regimen as a mid-morning snack, in your breakfast smoothies, or as a light dinner of fruit salad. - Beans and lentils
Processed and red meats can increase the risk of BPH and prostate cancer. Replacing red meats with plant protein can improve prostate health. A cup of black beans contains 15g of protein and 15g of fiber, which helps improve prostate health. You can also add beans or lentils to your soups and salads, or you could replace the meat in a wrap with beans. Some beans that you can add to your meal plans include black-eyed peas, pinto beans, red kidney beans, and black beans. Besides this, seeds and lentils are also rich in protein and fiber, like hemp and chia seeds, chickpeas, red lentils, yellow gram, and pigeon peas. - Fatty fish
These are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce the risk of prostate cancer and improve prostate health. Apart from this, omega-3s also lower bad cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, which decreases the risk of a heart attack. Omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties and inhibit tumor growth, reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer. Fatty fish, such as mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon, and trout, are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Adults should try to eat around 200g (7 ounces) of fatty fish per week. - Green tea
Green tea is a superfood, as it contains high amounts of antioxidants that can destroy free radicals in the body that cause cancer. Research has shown that green tea can reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. It has been proven that green tea also has polyphenols such as EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) that can alleviate symptoms of BPH and has anti-inflammatory properties. So, to boost prostate health, drink at least a cup of green tea a day. If you do not like consuming green tea directly, try mixing it in a fruit smoothie or use it in a marinade. - Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables belong to the Brassicaceae family, and some examples include kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, garden cress, mustard greens, and collards. Research has shown that phytochemicals, such as sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, in these vegetables can reduce the risk of prostate cancer. The antioxidants present in these vegetables also reduce the symptoms of BPH. Thus, cruciferous vegetables should be a part of your daily food intake to ensure the prostate remains healthy. - Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is a carotenoid and a powerful antioxidant. According to research, it can help reduce prostate inflammation and decrease the risk of prostate cancer risk. The digestive system finds it easier to digest lycopene from cooked tomatoes, so it is best to have tomatoes in the form of soups, sauces, and puree. This is because cooking tomatoes causes the cell walls to break and makes the lycopene easily available. Lycopene is better absorbed if combined with healthy fats. So, pair your tomato dishes with olive oil, fatty fish, nuts, or avocados. Other good sources of lycopene include watermelon, guava, papaya, and pink grapefruit.
Treatments for prostate health
You can ask your healthcare provider about the following prostate health-boosting supplements:
- Vitalflow
Vitalflow is an oral supplement that contains a blend of extracts from plants. Vitalflow improves prostate health as it contains ingredients like broccoli leaf extract, green tea, saw palmetto berries, tomato powder, and Graviola leaf. - Pure Prostafen
Pure Prostafen is a supplement that can help boost your prostate health. It includes ingredients such as raspberry powder, broccoli, cat’s claw, saw palmetto berries, and Pygeum africanum powder. Pure Prostafen should be taken orally. - Ibrutinib BTK inhibitor
Ibrutnib is a Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitor. It is an oral supplement that stops the spread of cancer cells in the body and fights cancer. It also reduces the symptoms of BPH. Ibrutnib contains saw palmetto seeds, pumpkin seeds, nettle, and green tea.
Men over 40 usually have problems with the prostate gland, such as enlargement or BPH and prostate cancer. To ensure that your prostate gland remains healthy, consume the foods mentioned above.