Men aged 50 and above are more prone to having unfavorable issues with the prostate gland. Some of them include prostate cancer (commonly requiring surgery), acute and chronic prostatitis (characterized by the prostate tissue’s inflammation, often caused by a bacterial infection), and benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH (the most common of all prostate problems and involves the enlargement of the prostate gland).
Several studies have shown that what you eat can have an impact on your prostate health. Foods that are said to increase your risk of suffering from the prostate problems mentioned earlier are those that trigger chronic inflammation and increase bad cholesterol levels. Staying away from these foods, needless to say, is one of the most important steps that need to be taken if you want to keep your prostate gland in a good shape.
Ensure that you limit your consumption of the following foods that are linked to prostate problems:
Red Meat
It may supply your body with good amounts of protein and iron, but red meat can increase your chances of ending up with prostate cancer, say numerous studies. Red meat that is cooked at high temperatures is said to be the kind that can increase your risk of having cancer of the prostate by 12 percent.
Processed Meat
That deli-meat sandwich of yours may sound like it is healthy, but it is actually not. Certain chemicals found in processed meat like bacon, salami, meatloaf, beef patties and sausages are linked to prostate issues. If you want to get all the protein you need, it’s a much better idea to opt for fish, egg whites, or chicken or turkey breast.
Canned Tomatoes
We all know that tomatoes are loaded with cancer-fighting lycopene, so including them in your diet can help ward off prostate cancer. However, you may actually end up with the disease if you go for canned tomatoes because the cans they come in are lined with cancer-causing bisphenol-A or BPA.
Dairy
Experts say that a diet that’s high in milk, cheese, butter and other dairy products is linked to high risk of prostate cancer. No one really knows why that is so, but experts believe that it has something to do with hormonal imbalance. Luckily, there are numerous dairy substitutes available on the current market.
Calcium Supplements
Having strong bones is important, but taking calcium supplements may increase your likelihood of having issues with the prostate gland. Since dairy products are packed with calcium but can put you at risk of prostate cancer, get your dose of the bone-strengthening mineral from non-dairy sources like chia seeds, almonds, figs and fermented tofu.
Unfermented Soy
Speaking of fermented tofu which is undeniably healthy for you, make sure that you exclude unfermented soy from your diet because as much as 95 percent of US-produced ones are genetically modified, making them terrible for your prostate. Protein bars, meal-replacements shakes and supplements usually contain unfermented soy.
Refined Sugar
There is no denying that refined sugar is bad for your overall health. Experts say that a diet that’s high in it can put your prostate in a total wreck. Opting for artificial sweeteners is a bad idea. The likes of sucralose and aspartame are associated with increased risk of cancer, including that of the prostate.
Microwave Popcorn
Air-popped popcorn is good for you because it’s loaded with fiber. However, the kind that you make in a microwave is terrible for your health. That’s because the bag it comes in is lined with perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA, which can cause hormonal imbalance that can harm the prostate, among others.
Saturated Fats
Here’s one more reason why it’s not a good idea to step foot in your favorite fast food joint: saturated fats may increase your odds of having prostate cancer, and not just heart disease. Ditch foods that contain saturated fats and switch to those with healthy fats for your prostate’s sake.
