What Not To Eat: Ten Worst Foods For Prostate Health

It’s no secret that eating well has its benefits, but did you know that a healthy and balanced diet can also improve your prostate health? Yep. There are plenty of foods to incorporate into your diet that have long-term benefits on men’s overall health. But in the spirit of New Year’s and cutting out unhealthy things from your lifestyle, let’s focus instead on the foods you should be eliminating from your diet in 2023. So without further ado, let’s countdown the ten worst foods for prostate health.

Peripheral Zone

Before we get into what not to eat, let’s backup for a second and talk about what the prostate is and why men should be prioritizing their prostate health. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis in front of the rectum. It is a part of the male reproductive system and is in charge of producing semen, making it critical for sexual and urinary functions (and we all know how important both of those functions are). So in order to keep everything functioning properly, it’s important to take steps to support these functions that are essentially powered by your prostate gland, especially as you get older.

Men are more likely to develop an enlarged prostate as they age; in fact, 50% of all men in the United States are affected by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate by 60. Although the condition is rarely fatal, it can lead to more painful symptoms if not managed or treated properly.

Foods To Avoid For Prostate Health

They say moderation is key, but when it comes to prostate health, there are some foods that you should just cut back on altogether. Here are the top ten worst foods for prostate health:

1. Caffeine
Coffee is one of the most widely-consumed beverages in the world, but it's also one of the worst for your prostate. Okay, let’s rephrase that–coffee itself is not the culprit…it’s caffeine that you should avoid.

Coffee and other caffeinated beverages can cause dehydration, which can lead to a number of problems including an enlarged prostate or BPH. When you're dehydrated, your body releases a hormone called vasopressin that causes blood vessels to constrict and retain fluid, leading to congestion in your pelvic region. Caffeine also increases production of adrenaline and cortisol—two hormones that play a role in inflammation and tissue damage—and they may contribute to an enlarged prostate as well.

2. Dairy Products
The consumption of dairy has been linked to increased risk of several chronic diseases including prostate cancer and heart disease.

Some studies have shown that milk consumption increases serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels which may increase the risk of prostate cancer. One study’s results revealed that men who consumed about 430 grams of dairy per day (1 ¾ cups of milk) faced a 25% increased risk of prostate cancer compared to men who consumed only 20.2 grams of dairy per day (1/2 cup of milk per week). Also, it was noted that men who consumed about 430 grams of dairy per day were even more at risk when compared to men with zero dairy intake in their diets.

3. Alcohol 
Alcohol can cause inflammation, which can lead to BPH and prostate cancer. In addition, it's a diuretic that promotes the loss of water from your body, which can lead to dehydration. There have been studies that have shown that men who drank at least seven drinks per week between the ages of 15 and 49 years, had a greater risk of developing prostate cancer than men who either didn’t drink alcohol. 

4. Sodium 
Men who consume excessively large amounts of sodium are likely to develop urinary tract symptoms that are typical in BPH. Although too much salt is not ideal for prostate health, sodium is an essential nutrient that helps balance your body’s water levels (hydration), so simply reducing the amount of sodium you consume can make a huge difference in the
long run. 

5. Spicy Foods
Spicy foods have been known to irritate the bladder and prostate, which can worsen BPH or urinary tract symptoms.  

6. Eggs 
Eggs are a staple in most men’s diets thanks to the amount of protein that they offer. And although they are very nutritious, consuming too many can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer later in life due to their choline content, according to one study. 

7. Red Meat 
We know that red meat is delicious, but did you know that too much red meat may be associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer? The reason is likely due to the amount of heterocyclic amines (HCAs), or carcinogens found in cooked red meat. Try eating lean protein like chicken, fish, and turkey instead. 

8. Calcium
Yes, calcium is good for you and is considered an essential nutrient, but too much of anything is never good. Excessive calcium intake has been associated with catalyzing the growth of tumor tissue in patients already suffering from prostate cancer. If you want to cut back on calcium, try reducing how much you consume when enjoying milk, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.

9. Fried Foods
Regular consumption of deep-fried foods such as French fries, fried chicken and doughnuts is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, and the effect appears to be slightly stronger with regard to more aggressive forms of the disease, according to one study. 

10. Saturated Fats 
Saturated fats are in many things that we consume regularly, and generally don’t offer any sort of health advantages, when compared to other fats like omega-3s. However, recent studies have shown that saturated fats aren’t great for your prostate either.

Other Ways To Support Prostate Health

Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent BPH or even prostate cancer in men, there are many things that you can do to ensure excellent prostate health. Lifestyle changes can make a big difference when it comes to prostate health. For example, exercise and healthier eating can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk of heart disease.

Another great way to take care of your prostate health is to start taking prostate supplements designed for men. PR Labs has a potent and effective supplement to support prostate health. Prost-P10x is a urologist-formulated natural prostate and urinary health support supplement. The formula is packed with antioxidants and natural ingredients that promote normal prostate and urinary function.

Remember that prostate health is critical to men's overall health, and the sooner you start making it a priority, the better off you will be!